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Technology update
Premier I nears certification
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The third Premier I business jet enters certification testing. This aircraft will be used for avionics certification, including autopilot and optional systems.
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Moving closer to Raytheon Aircraft Company's year-end deadline for FAA certification of its Premier I business jet, a third airplane has flown its maiden flight and has joined the first two aircraft currently in the flight test program. Test pilots evaluated the aircraft's flying qualities, gear and flap operations, airspeed, and onboard systems during the two-hour flight. The aircraft reached an altitude of 16,500 ft and airspeed of 320 KCAS.
"The third jet will be used for avionics certification, including the autopilot and optional systems," said Duncan Koerbel, Director of the Premier I Business Unit. "From the early planning stages of this aircraft we have had single-pilot operation in mind; therefore, the avionics are designed to reduce workload and to keep the system and integration simple."
The aircraft is equipped with the new Rockwell-Collins Pro Line 21 full-featured integrated avionics system, which features two large flat-panel LCD displays as standard with a third display available as an option. A single FMS with dual control data units and display will be standard. The three-display avionics system will be certified for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM) operation.
The first two Premier I flight-test aircraft have accumulated more than 460 flight hours. A fourth and final test aircraft was expected to join the program before the end of this year and be used for crew determination and single-pilot certification.
More than 200 Premier I aircraft are on order, and the company has recently announced a 25% increase in the annual production rate, from 48 to 60 aircraft.
Frank Bokulich
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