Linden Blue Is Back!
Coming 'out of the blue' is the announcement of yet another new
bizjet... this time from a familiar name we haven't heard from in
quite the while. Spectrum Aeronautical, LLC's Spectrum 33 was
introduced to the aviation community at NBAA 2005. Development of
its new, high performance jet has been kept a tightly guarded
secret until now. A prototype Spectrum 33 is a few months away from
flight testing.
Spectrum is led by industry veteran Linden Blue, who is also
vice-chairman of General Atomics. Mr. Blue has previously held the
positions of President and CEO of Beech Aircraft, and Executive
Vice President of Gates Learjet.
“A very experienced and talented team has created a
superior aircraft that incorporates some remarkable materials
technology,” said Blue, Spectrum’s Chairman and CEO.
“We’ve kept the program quiet,” he said,
“because everyone wanted to focus intensely on technical
development without distractions.”
About the same cabin size of Cessna’s popular Citation
CJ-2+ and with up to ten-place seating, the Spectrum 33 offers top
speeds in excess of 415-knots, non-stop range of 2,000 nautical
miles yet weighs in at a remarkably low 7,300 pounds gross takeoff
weight. At maximum weight, the 33 can reach its typical cruising
altitude of 45,000 feet in a direct climb of only about
20-minutes.
“Low weight translates directly into higher performance
and operating efficiency” Blue said, “so that was one
of our top priorities. Reaching that goal called for a fresh
approach to aircraft manufacturing. The materials and processes
we’ve developed have their origins in conventional
approaches, but we have moved beyond the current
state-of-the-art,” he said.
“Our breakthrough comes in successfully adapting this
technology to create a competitive business jet.”
Powered by twin Williams International FJ-334A’s, the
Spectrum 33 replaces aluminum and older composites found in many
existing aircraft with an advanced, next generation carbon graphite
material called fibeX™. The result is a very light jet that
provides the comfort of a fullsized cabin with performance that
matches or exceeds any other aircraft in its class.
Spectrum principals have been working with long-time partner
Rocky Mountain Composites for many years on advanced composite
aircraft structures. In 1998 several important technical
achievements came together, resulting in the launch of the Spectrum
33 program. Since then, Spectrum and Rocky Mountain Composites have
been working in close concert on development of the Model 33, its
manufacturing processes, and preparations for FAA
certification.