The AdamJet Hits FL410... At 340 KTAS

It can fly high... and it can fly fast. That's the word from Adam Aircraft, which Aero-News has learned that during a test flight last week, flew its A700 AdamJet to 41,000 feet and achieved a true airspeed of 340 knots -- the aircraft's reported top speed. The aircraft was crewed by Senior Turbine Test Pilot Ken Sasine and co-pilot Dan Brand.

Adam Aircraft's Shelley Simi told ANN that Serial Number 002 (foreground, in air taxi livery, above) departed Denver's Centennial Airport on April 20, 2006, on a test flight to verify the planned maximum operating altitude. Adam representatives report the aircraft performed a direct climb to 41,000 feet.

Adam reports that as the plane passed through 39,000 feet, the climb rate was still in excess of 1,000 feet-per-minute. The aircraft flew level at 41,000 feet for approximately five minutes, reaching a maximum true airspeed of 340 knots.

"This flight signifies the continuing progress of the A700 program," said Bill Watters, Adam Aircraft Vice President of Flight Operations. "Serial Number 001 has demonstrated the aircraft's flight capabilities, Serial Number 002 remains on track for FAA Certification, and collectively the two aircraft have flown more than 500 hours. A700 Serial Number 003 is currently in production."

Simi told Aero-News that everyone at Adam was thrilled by this latest accomplishment in the A700 program.

"Yeah!" Simi said. "We're ecstatic. We had initially said we'd hit our maximum airspeed at 38,000 feet... to fly 340 at 41,000 is great."

A700 Serial Number 002 includes a recently installed Digital Acquisition Unit to monitor full engine and fuel instrumentation, and has begun performance testing, including airspeed calibration, takeoff, and landing tests. The aircraft also includes fully functioning software supporting the three-tube Primary and Multi-Function Flight Displays.

Adam Aircraft reports that static testing of the aircraft has considerably accelerated, with completed fuselage testing to 26.7 psi, which exceeded the 24.7 psi pressure differential test requirement. The static tests for engine mounts, tailbooms, nosewheel tunnel, wing, spars, elevator, rudder, and landing gear are all well underway and scheduled for completion by June 30.

FMI: www.adamaircraft.com