Company Expects FAA Approval Shortly

Ibis Aerospace Ltd, a joint venture company consisting of Aero Vodochody of the Czech Republic and AIDC of Taiwan R.O.C., announced Thursday Aero Vodochody has received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification for the Ae270 single-engine turboprop aircraft.

Ibis Aerospace, established expressly to manufacture and market the Propjet, added that since the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been fully involved with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Czech Republic (CAA CZ) during the approval process, FAA certification is expected to be granted shortly after EASA certification.

The Ae270 Propjet is a large-cabin, pressurized aircraft designed to carry up to ten people (two crew plus eight passengers), although the company expects many will be configured as a five-to-six passenger executive transport. The Ae270 can also be configured to handle bulk cargo.

As is often the case with new aircraft ventures, funding has been an issue during the development of the Ae270. However, as was previously reported in Aero-News, Ibis reports the company is expecting additional investment to come sometime in 2006, which would allow for continuation of the Ae270 development program and may even carry Ibis through the start of serial production.

FMI: www.ae270.com