Javelin Jet First Flight

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With two Williams Int’l FJ33-4-17M Turbofan Engines, ATG’s little Javelin Jet expects to climb at 10,000 feet per minute and top out at .9 Mach. Two-hundred-twenty gallons of fuel would carry the jet 1220 nm with reserves. The two-seater prototype flew for the first time on Friday. Test pilot Robert Fuschino took off at 7:50 a.m. from Runway 17L at Centennial Airport in Englewood, Colo., and climbed out at 3,000 fpm. Flying with 10 degrees of flaps and the gear down, the airplane reached 180 knots and 12,000 feet. After 30 minutes of testing, it made a smooth straight-in landing. “ATG has achieved a great milestone today,” said ATG Chairman George Bye. “We will now begin the process of correlating the Javelin prototype’s performance against predicted engineering values.” Test pilot Fuschino said it was “a beautiful flight.” The FADEC-controlled Williams turbofan engines were exceptionally responsive, and the jet’s handling was very predictable and smooth, he said. The Javelin prototype will be used to evaluate aircraft performance, handling qualities and selected system installations. The results of this testing will be assessed and changes made as necessary for incorporation into both the FAA-certified civilian version and the military trainer version of the aircraft, the company said. The Javelin program aims to start deliveries in 2008. Visit ATG’s web site for first flight photographs and video.

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