| Ae 270 Ibis | |
|---|---|
| Role | Civil utility aircraft |
| National origin | Czech Republic |
| Manufacturer | Aero Vodochody |
| First flight | 25 July 2000 |
The Aero Ae 270 Ibis is a turboprop-powered civil utility aircraft previously under development. Design work by Aero Vodochody began in the early 1990s, with the aircraft's configuration finalised by 1993. In 1997, Aero signed an agreement with AIDC of Taiwan to jointly manufacture and market the aircraft as Ibis Aerospace. The first prototype (0001, OK-EMA) was finished in 2000, with the first flight on July 25, 2000. Projected with empty weight 1790 kg, max. take-off weight 3000 kg, ceiling 7620 m (25 000 ft). Five prototypes were planned, two for static and dynamic tests, three for flight tests. The requirements were then changed and aircraft redesigned, new equipment added, new variant of engine has to be used, and all this changes caused rapid weight increment. The second (partial) prototype was used for static tests, and the fourth for fatigue tests. The third prototype's (OK-SAR) first flight was in 2002. The fifth prototype (OK-LIB) was finished in 2003, with its first flight in February, sixth prototype (OK-INA) was finished also in 2003. UCL (Czech Civil Aeronautical Institute) has got also a lot of requirements, which caused big delay in tests. First prototype was not usable for EASA test flights, becauce the changes after its finishing were too big. That´s why new (seventh) prototype OK-EVA was build in 2004. It helped with airworthiness certificate. In 2004, AIDC announced that it is not interested in serial production of the type and it will not deliver wings for serial airplanes. Aero Vodochody has issues with money for certification and some members of high management of Aero were against the program. Decrease of flight parameters and interest of Aero management led to cancellation of preliminary orders. Aero Vodochody was never able to calculate real production price of aircraft, mostly because the wing was produced on Taiwan and alternate production in Czech Republic was never properly prepared or/and calculated.
Airworthiness has been certified by the Czech Civil Aviation Authority permitting training and aerial work, including commencement of commercial use.[1] EASA certification successfully finished on December the 12th 2005, FAA certificate received on February the 24th 2006. During 2006 the program was slowed and people from Ae-270 program were moved to another tasks in Aero. Despite the issues the eighth prototype (OK-ALE) was finished in 2007, but in the same year the AIDC announced termination of the program. Agreement between Aero and AIDC divided the know-how and planes - OK-INA (0006) and OK-ALE (0008) are in Aero Vodochody a.s. and they are used for company flights. OK-EMA (0001) is used as teaching aid in Aero high school, OK-EVA (0007) was dismantled. OK-SAR (0003) and OK-LIB (0005) were transferred to Taiwan - OK-SAR is exposed in Chenfung, OK-LIB flew to Taiwan (14 000 km, 36 hrs. of flight time) with Czech crew in 2008 - the current status is unknown.
During 2008 the project was cancelled, jigs and tools removed and 3 unfinished fuselages (including fatigue test prototype 0004) were located in museum Air Park Zruč u Plzně. ref: http://letistecr.cz/zajimavosti/ztraceny-duch-ibise-posvatneho.aspx
In July 2011, the director of Aero Vodochody made a statement, that Ae-270 Ibis/Spirit program (know-how, jigs and tools) will be sold to Belarus, when the serial production will start in new factory in 2015. Ref: http://zpravy.e15.cz/byznys/prumysl-a-energetika/aero-chysta-s-beloruskem-miliardovy-kontrakt-chce-tam-vyrabet-ae-270-682184 Current status is unknown, but Belarus has got big issues with money and Lukashenko, so the chances are low.
Contents |
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004[2]
General characteristics
Performance
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