Adam Aircraft Industries began flight testing its A500 all-composite piston twin on 11 July, although progress was delayed when the nose gear folded during a landing roll. Damage was minor and the aircraft is still due to make its public debut at this week's AirVenture 2002 show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, says president John Knudsen.
The aircraft is the first of four built on production tooling at the company's Englewood, Colorado, plant. Three are due to be flying by year-end and US certification is scheduled for the first quarter of 2003. Knudsen says Adam has orders "in the mid-40s" for the $895,000 aircraft, with production of 24 planned in the first year.
The A500 is a centreline-thrust twin, with Teledyne Continental engines mounted fore and aft in the fuselage and a twin-boom tail. The first aircraft will be retrofitted later with full-authority digital engine controls.
Source: Flight International
