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Spectrum Aeronautical
Unlike other business aircraft that combine first-generation composites
with traditional aluminum aircraft construction, the Spectrum 33 is built
entirely of advanced composites. Everything from the fuselage, empennage,
wings, landing gear struts and even the rods that connect the side stick
controller to the ailerons - and all control surfaces - are constructed from
an advanced composite material.
For the past twenty years Linden Blue, the founder of Spectrum
Aeronautical (SA), has been working with the principals of Rocky Mountain
Composites (RMC) to develop the techniques necessary for building lighter
airplanes out of advanced composites that are within economic reason.
Mission accomplished and no other manufacturer has access to Spectrum's
proprietary advanced composites manufacturing technology.
Spectrum does not consider it's model 33 to be in the Very Light Jet (VLJ)
category, but the preliminary specs on this micro light jet suggest
otherwise. The 33 has a landing distance of 2700 ft and a gross
takeoff weight of 7300 pounds. On the other hand the $3.65 million
price tag is a bit higher than we see in VLJ's made by other manufacturers,
but with the extra change for Spectrum's model 33 you get a business plane
that seats 9-10 (including the pilot and a full aft lavatory.
FAA Type Certification of the Spectrum 33 is slated for late 2007 or in
2008.
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