VulcanAir was expected to take delivery of the first Zoche Aero diesel engine by the end of January for its VA300 utility aircraft. The VA300 is an upgraded Partenavia AP68TP-600 Viator, due for certification in 2002.

The Viator twin-turboprop will initially be a testbed for the Zoche engine, with flight testing to begin "soon".

According to Naples-based VulcanAir, certification of the VA300, which will be 200mm (7.8in) wider and 1m shorter than the Viator, should be a formality. VulcanAir director, Remo De Feo says: "We are just waiting for the powerplant to be approved."

VulcanAir acquired the Partenavia general aviation aircraft line from Aerocosmos in 1998 and is ugrading the models, with about 20 aircraft planned for production this year. Other programmes include building a single-engined version of the Siai Marchetti SF-600A Canguro utility aircraft, which it bought from Finmeccanica in 1997.

The aircraft, the VA600W, will begin flight testing in October, powered by a 575kW (770hp) Walter M601F piston engine, although the company plans to offer a more powerful, 670kW variant. "The wing of the VA600W will be a derivative of the Viator's, the nose will be redesigned to accommodate the engine and it will have a new landing gear," says VulcanAir. Certification is due in late 2001.

The Italian manufacturer has designed a new interior for the P68C and P68 Observer piston twins, and will upgrade all of its line with Bendix/King Silver Crown avionics.

Source: Flight International