The AASI Jetcruzer
Country of origin :
United States of America
Type :
Business and utility transport
Powerplants :
One rear mounted 1172kW (1572shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66A turboprop driving a five blade constant speed Hartzell propeller.Performance :
Max cruising speed 576km/h (318kt). Service ceiling 30,000ft. Max range at economical cruising speed with reserves 2574km (1391nm).Weights :
Max takeoff 2495kg (5500lb).Dimensions :
Wing span 12.85m (42ft 2in), length approx 10.5m (34.4ft).Capacity :
Typical accommodation for six including pilot. Can be configured for ambulance, cargo and other utility work. Optional aft lavatory.Production :
450 - 3 were built.500 - by November 2001, 2 had been converted from 450s, 1 new one was built, and 197 were on order.
Basic unit price (2001) $US1,495,000.
History :
The innovative Jetcruzer 500 is designes to be a high speed low cost single engine corporate turboprop an is the product of California based Advanced Aerodynamics and Structures Inc (AASI).The Jetcruzer 500 is based on the smaller, unpressurised Jetcruzer 450. Early design work for what would became the Jetcruzer 450 began in 1983. Construcion of an Allison 250-C20S powered prototype began in 1988. It flew for the first time in January 11, 1989.
The preproduction prototype first flew April 1991, and the first production standard Jetcruzer 450 on September 13, 1992. When FAA Part 23 certification was granted on June 14, 1994 the Jetcruzer became the first aircraft in the world to be certificated as spin resistant.
AASI elected not to place the 450 into production and instead focused it's efforts on the pressurised 500. Initial work was on the 500P, which featured a modest 25cm (10in) fuselage stretch, but AASI instead decided to enlarge the design further. The definitive Jetcruzer features a 1.83m (6ft) fuselage stretch over the 450 (increasing cabin length by 90cm (3ft), plus a significant'y more powerful PT6A66 turboprop driving a five (rather than three) blade prop, pressurisation to 30,000ft, and airstair entry door on the right hand side and additional cabin windows.
First flight of the prototype 500 (the modified preproduction prototype 450) was in August 22, 1997, followed by the second prototype (the modified production 450 on November 7, 1997.
Other notable Jetcruzer 500 design features include its canard configuration (which allows the main wing to be positioned further aft than normal, so the wing spars do not intrude into the cabin), lack of flaps (reducing pilot work load and manufacturing costs and saving weight), and optional EFIS avionics. Like the 450 the 500 will be certificated as spin resistant. The fuselage is made from composites while the wing and canard are aluminium.
On February 8, 2002, AASI announced that it was taking over the Mooney assets, and that the name Mooney would be used for the combined companies. Headquarters, development, and marketing would remain at AASI's facility at Long Beach in California, but production of the Jetcruzer would be at Mooney's Kerrville, Taxas plant.
The company is also working on the Stratocruzer 1250, a 13 place twin WilliamsRolla FJ-44 powered light coporate jet development.
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