Aircraft

By Graham Warwick in Washington DC

Very light jet developer Aviation Technology Group (ATG) has redesigned the wing on its Javelin two-seater to reduce approach and landing speeds.

Increasing wing span and area, and the addition of Fowler flaps and leading-edge flaps, are expected to reduce stall speed by 5-7kt (9-13km/h), to 90kt, and are the last major design changes to the Javelin before production begins, says ATG.

The final design changes, including the move from a side-opening to an aft-hinged canopy, have undergone windtunnel testing at the University of Washington Aeronautics Laboratory. The changes have resulted in a nominal increase in gross weight to 3,130kg (6,900lb) and a small decrease in cruise speed to 500kt, says Engledwood, Colorado-based ATG.

Wing span is increased by 0.56m (1.85ft) to 7.65m and area by 2.7m² (29ft²) to 13.8m². The leading-edge flaps will deflect 20° down automatically with deployment of the Fowler flaps, which move back as they extend, creating a slot.

The new wing will be introduced on the first conforming prototype, which is scheduled to fly in the first quarter of 2007.

Four flying prototypes and a static test article will be built for certification of the civil Javelin Mk10, which is the basis of Mk20 and Mk30 military trainers to be developed jointly with Israel Aircraft Industries. US certification of the William FJ33-powered Mk10 is scheduled for 2008, and ATG says it has deposits on 108 of the $2.8 million aircraft.