Ibis Aerospace met in Prague in early June of this year to conduct a technical review of its flagship aircraft, the Ae270 Propjet. Representatives of the company say the results of this review give confirmation of increased performance specifications that had been anticipated during the development programme.

Among the most significant of performance increases is the published maximum speed of the aircraft, now 270 knots. Ibis’ parent company, Aero Vodochody, engineered the aircraft as its 270th conceptual design. And, by coinci-dence, this revised performance figure coincides with the sequential numbering scheme that gives the aircraft its name, the Ae270.

Other notable changes to the Ae270 design include an 8,380 lb. (3,800 kg.) MTOW. The Ae270 provides a useful load of over 3,300 lbs. Stall speed has been confirmed at 66 knots with 36-degree flaps, and 85 knots without flaps.

Said a spokesman: “The Ae270’s range of speed allows for a highly diverse flying profile that lends itself to both short and rough field landing as well as being a highly functional business-class turbine aircraft. The aircraft will have a 1,500 nm maximum range, with reserves, and carry up to 309 (US) gallons of fuel.”

Jeff Conrad, vp of marketing for Ibis, commented: “The Ae270 has been flying since June of 2000. We announced its first flight at Farnborough two years ago. With over 250 hours of flight time, a great deal of data has been collected on the aircraft that confirms – and in many cases exceeds – our prior estimates of its flight characteristics. We are excited to say that the Ae270 now offers more bang for the buck.”

The Ae270 can carry up to 10 people (two crew and eight passengers) over stage lengths of

up to 1,300 nm with NBAA IFR reserves. It can be converted to combi or all freight.

Meanwhile, Ibis has announced the appointment of Jiri Fidransky as company president. Formerly, Fidransky held the positions of vp of Aerostructures and vp of engineering with Ibis’ parent company, and primary contractor, Aero Vodochody. Fidransky will now devote his full efforts to the Ae270 programme.