Serial Number 2 Will Be Used For FAA Testing

Adam Aircraft announced Monday the first flight of A700 AdamJet, Serial Number 002 -- the first of three aircraft slated for conforming FAA flight-testing. The airplane reportedly flew smoothly at the hands of pilots Bill Watters, Vice President of Flight Operations, and Ken Sasine, Senior Turbine Test Pilot.

"The aircraft handled very well, stability was excellent, and the flight controls were very responsive and predictable," said Sasine on the 34-minute maiden flight around the pattern at Denver's Centennial Airport (APA). "The throttle response was smooth and strong, and the climb performance was strong and steady. The airplane handled just as we expected."

"We're exceptionally pleased with the progress of the A700 jet program, and this first flight accelerates our A700 certification effort," said CEO Rick Adam. "The A700 Williams FJ-33 engines are already FAA-certified, and the 65% commonality from our FAA-Certified twin-engine piston will significantly reduce the A700 time-to-certification."

Serial Number 002 will serve as the production and flight test aircraft for FAA Type Certification, which is targeted for later this year. A700 Serial Number 002 is painted and striped in its full air taxi livery, and features a production instrument panel with three-tube Avidyne Entegra avionics.

The aircraft is also constructed from production tooling, featuring a production fuselage with improved cabin window and emergency exit placement -- with the balance of the aircraft manufactured from A500 production parts common to the A700.

Meanwhile, A700 Serial Number One continues to rack up hours, having flown more than 400 hours since its first flight in summer 2003. That aircraft has provided Adam Aircraft with important aerodynamic, systems test data and interior development work, creating a baseline for the upcoming FAA flight-test program during Type Certification.

With Serial Number 2 now online, Serial Number 001 will now be used as a marketing and flight test aircraft -- visiting cities, airports, and aviation events across the United States.

More than 250 A700 Very Light Jets have been sold to owners/operators, fleet operators, and air taxi companies.

FMI: www.adamaircraft.com