Germany's High Performance Aircraft (HPA) has scheduled the maiden flight of its rebranded new aircraft for the third quarter of 2007.

The redesigned TT62 Alekto, a piston twin business aircraft, has been rebranded as the Baltic.

Certification is scheduled for 2008 with production set to begin in 2009.

HPA, based in Zirchow, re-evaluated the TT62's design last year. During flight testing it was found that the wash from the rear-fuselage mounted propellors disrupted airflow over the pylons.

The Baltic has adopted a different configuration. The jet-fuelled Thierlert Aircraft Engines Centurion 4.0 turbocharged diesel engines have been moved from the rear fuselage to the wing. In addition the fuselage is now 1.5m shorter at 10.14m.

But HPA stresses that the Baltic cabin can take five passengers - one more than its predecessor. This

is a benefit of the repositioning of the engines.

The Baltic will be able to cruise at a maximum speed of 230kt at 20,000ft. The economic cruise range, with full tanks, will be 3,240km.

HPA was founded on 10 April 2002 by Heiko Teegen at Rostock-Laage airport in Kritzkow.

The project has continued despite the death in August 2003 of Teegen who was HPA's ceo and editor of the aviation magazine "Pilot und Flugzeug".

HPA set out to develop and manufacture a modern twin-engine propeller aircraft that fully meets the demands of today's aviation market.

The result, the TT62 Baltic, will be fitted with two diesel engines and will run on jet A1 fuel. The Baltic is designed to carry five or six passengers at high speed and reasonable cost.