Spectrum Aeronautical Unveils Next Generation Business Jet
MicroLightJets.com News
Orlando, Florida–November 8, 2005—— Spectrum Aeronautical, LLC was
introduced to the aviation community today with the announcement of its
Spectrum 33 business jet. Development of its new, high performance jet has
been kept a tightly guarded secret until now. A prototype Spectrum 33 is a
few months away from flight testing.Spectrum is led by industry veteran
Linden Blue, who is also vice-chairman of General Atomics. Mr. Blue has
previously held the positions of President and CEO of Beech Aircraft, and
Executive Vice President of Gates Learjet.
“A very experienced and talented team has created a superior aircraft
that incorporates some remarkable materials technology,” said Blue,
Spectrum’s Chairman and CEO. “We’ve kept the program quiet,” he said,
“because everyone wanted to focus intensely on technical development without
distractions.”
About the same cabin size of Cessna’s popular Citation CJ-2+ and with up
to ten-place seating, the Spectrum 33 offers top speeds in excess of
415-knots, non-stop range of 2,000 nautical miles yet weighs in at a
remarkably low 7,300 pounds gross takeoff weight. At maximum weight, the 33
can reach its typical cruising altitude of 45,000 feet in a direct climb of
only about 20-minutes.
“Low weight translates directly into higher performance and operating
efficiency” Blue said, “so that was one of our top priorities. Reaching that
goal called for a fresh approach to aircraft manufacturing. The materials
and processes we’ve developed have their origins in conventional approaches,
but we have moved beyond the current state-of-the-art,” he said. “Our
breakthrough comes in successfully adapting this technology to create a
competitive business jet.”
Powered by twin Williams International FJ-334A’s, the Spectrum 33
replaces aluminum and older composites found in many existing aircraft with
an advanced, next generation carbon-graphite material called fibeX™. The
result is a very light jet that provides the comfort of a full-sized cabin
with performance that matches or exceeds any other aircraft in its class.
Spectrum principals have been working with long-time partner Rocky
Mountain Composites for many years on advanced composite aircraft
structures. In 1998 several important technical achievements came together,
resulting in the launch of the Spectrum 33 program. Since then, Spectrum and
Rocky Mountain Composites have been working in close concert on development
of the Model 33, its manufacturing processes, and preparations for FAA
certification.
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