Flaris LAR01

Flaris LAR01 , also variously called the LAR 1, is a Polish five-seat very light jet, currently under development by Metal-Master of Jelenia Góra.^[5] It is the only single-engined very light jet currently being developed by a non-American aircraft manufacturer.^[6]

The programme was publicly unveiled at the 2013 Paris Air Show, and has been promoted to private owner-operators and corporate customers, as well as commercial operators.^[6] Originally intended to perform its maiden flight as early as 2015, this milestone has been repeatedly delayed.

Development

Origins

The Flaris LAR01 project was started by Sylwia and Rafał Ładzińscy with the assistance of the Instytut Lotnictwa, Instytut Techniczny Wojsk Lotniczych, Politechnika Warszawska, Politechnika Wrocławska and Wojskowa Akademia Techniczna.^[7][8] According to Ładziński, the aircraft had emerged from an ambition to produce an affordable aircraft that would be well-suited to short-haul point-to-point routes and operated by a variety of commercial, corporate, and private owners that sought to progress from operating piston engine and turboprop-powered aircraft.^[6] Rafał Ładziński, who had co-originated the aircraft's design with Sylwia Ładziński, serves as the head of the FLARIS project and the chief of Research and Development.^[9][10] The chief designer is Andrzej Frydrychewicz.^[11] Significant work on the aircraft's aerodynamics was perofrmed by Krzysztof Kubryński.^[12]

In June 2013, the existence of the LAR-1 programme was publicly unveiled at the 2013 Paris Air Show.^[8][13][14] Among the attributes of the aircraft emphasised during its initial announcement were its unique and previously-unserved role in the general aviation market, ease of flight, lightweight construction, low operational cost, safety, and versatility.^[15] The company has forecast a demand for the type of hundreds of aircraft per year.^[16]

During the 2013 event, at which a prototype of the aircraft was displayed, it was announced that the LAR-1 would be the first of three aircraft that manufacturer planned to launch; while few details were stated, it was said that of the two future aircraft, one would be smaller than the LAR-1 while the other would be larger.^[13] In June 2015, at which point the subject of future family members was discussed in greater detail by the manufacturer, it was revealed that there were future ambitions for a series of business jets to be produced, and that the next design following on from the LAR-1 was to adopt a twin-engine configuration.^[15]

Prototypes

During the 2013 reveal at the Paris airshow, it was stated that an initial prototype of the aircraft would fly later that same year, as well as speculation on the delivery of a batch of 20 aircraft during 2014.^[13][17] During March 2014, the non-flying first prototype was being used for non-destructive load testing, while the second prototype was announced as being intended to perform the type's maiden flight later that year; however, it was acknowledged at the time that there was a lack of certainty over exact dates.^[18][17] The order book is intended to be opened shortly after the maiden flight taking place.^[16][6] By May 2014, the company was already in the process of establishing an assembly line for the type, as well as beginning the construction of the third and fourth prototypes.^[19]

The second prototype was powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610, although alternative powerplants were already under consideration to power subsequent production aircraft. Aerospace publication Aviation Week has attributed uncertainty over the engine as a reason for delays in the programme.^[17][19] Once in flight, the second prototype would participate in the certification programme, along with a further two prototypes; in December 2014, the manufacturer envisioned the construction of a total of five prototypes.^[18] Final CS-23 certification for the LAR-1 from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) was anticipated to occur roughly three years following the first flight.^[20][6] In February 2015, the second prototype commenced a series of taxi tests while it reportedly approached the end of ground-based testing.^[21][22]

In March 2015, it was stated that the type was expected to receive type certification during 2018.^[23] During 2015, it was stated that initial deliveries, then forecast to take place in 2016, would be validated under the Polish civil aviation authority’s S-1 experimental aircraft designation, prior to full EASA certification being issued.^[24] In February 2016, it was stated that the first flight of the LAR01 was set to take place within the following months.^[25] In July 2016, engine ground tests of a LAR-1 equipped with the Williams FJ33-5A, which is to be used in production aircraft, commenced.^[16][26] In February 2017, it was reported that the LAR-1 has entered the final stage of ground testing and would perform its first flight within the first half of the year. According to the company, it has been working closely with the Polish civil aviation authority on tests of the onboard systems, including the final tests of the aircraft's detachable wing and cabin pressurisation system.^[6]

Design

The Flaris LAR01 is a Polish five-seat very light jet, intended for general aviation use.^[18][14] It is made largely of carbon fiber reinforced polymers and powered by a single turbojet engine - the production version of the LAR-1 is to be powered by a single Williams FJ33-5A engine.^[27][24] The LAR-1 is intended to be affordable and accessible to individual private owners.^[18] Proposed uses for it include air taxi operations, personal transport, emergency medical services and aerial surveillance, as well as its potential modification into a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).^[15]

The LAR01 has been optimised for use by private pilots. Where possible, the cockpit is deliberately designed to mimic that of a traditional car.^[17] The designers intend to provide removable elliptical wings for the aircraft; this measure is to enable the type to be readily parked within typical garages; sections of the tailplane can be similarly detached for the same purpose.^[28][18] Fuel is housed within a tank mounted on the fuselage, deliberately avoiding the use of the wings for fuel storage.^[14] The LAR01 is also reported as being relatively easy to control.^[17]

Various features for safety and convenience are to be incorporated into the LAR01's design. Unlike many jet-powered aircraft, it is claimed to be readily capable of being operable from unpaved runways and grass strips.^[15] For safety purposes, the LAR01 has been designed to use a ballistic rescue parachute system, one parachute being installed within the tail and the other within the nose, which is intended to assist in the safe recovery of the aircraft.^[15][20] It can be equipped with various models of Garmin glass cockpits.^[18] An electric de-icing system is also fitted.^[14]

Specifications (projected)

Data from Company^{[29][30][31][27]}

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Capacity: four
• Length: 8.32 m (27 ft 4 in)
• Wingspan: 8.68 m (28 ft 6 in)
• Height: 2.43 m (8 ft 0 in)
• Wing area: 10.0 m² (108 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 700 kg (1,543 lb)
• Gross weight: 1,500 kg (3,307 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 1,500 kg (3,307 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Williams FJ33-5A turbofan engine, 8.5 kN (1,900 lbf) thrust

Performance

• Cruise speed: 700 km/h (435 mph; 378 kn)
• Stall speed: 115 km/h (71 mph; 62 kn)
• Range: 3,200 km (1,988 mi; 1,728 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 14,000 m (46,000 ft)
• Maximum glide ratio: 18:1
• Rate of climb: 30 m/s (5,900 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 150 kg/m² (31 lb/sq ft)

References

External links

• Official website
• Video of taxi testing