AASI Jetcruzer

The AASI Jetcruzer is a light civil transport aircraft that as of 2004 has only flown in prototype form. Development of the aircraft by its original designer, AASI, was suspended in 2002 after nearly 20 years of work had still not resulted in a marketable aircraft. The Jetcruzer has an unusual configuration, with a single turboprop engine driving a pusher propeller, and a layout that featured canards, and fins mounted at the ends of its swept wings.

Work on the Jetcruzer began in March 1983, with the prototype first flying on January 11 1989. This initial version, designated the Jetcruzer 450 seated six people (including the pilot) and was powered by an Allison 250-C20S. It gained an FAA type certification on June 14 1994 (incidentally becoming the first aircraft to be certificated as spin resistant). Three prototypes were built, but AASI chose not to market this aircraft, in order to focus on more advanced versions.

The first of these was the Jetcruzer 500, a slightly stretched version of the 450 powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A;-66A and featuring cabin pressurization. Two of the 450 prototypes were converted to this configuration, and first flew in this form on August 22 1997. This was the version selected for production, but remained uncertified as its development slowly stagnated. Specific problems with the aircraft's noise, high stall speed, and center-of-gravity were not overcome before all work on it was suspended. A military version, the ML-2 had also been offered, as well as a UAV, the ML-1

In December 1992, construction work began on the prototype of an even larger variant, the Jetcruzer 650, which was to seat up to thirteen. This was quickly abandoned as the company's financial problems required resources to be focused on the 500. A military version would have been the ML-4

Similarly, a turbofan-powered version, the Stratocruzer 1250 was abandoned after AASI failed to attract backers for the project in 1995. Design work had started in September 1991. A military version, intended for surveillance duties, was designated ML-5.

In November 2003, AASI (by now, MASG) offered the entire Jetcruzer project for auction, and sold it to Innova Aircraft in February 2004. Shortly after the purchase, Innova announced its intentions of offering a new version of the aircraft in kit form, marketed by a new subsidiary, Jetcruzer LLC. This will feature a modified wing to overcome the problems faced by the Jetcruzer 500, and will be powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney JT15D; turbofans. It is expected to fly by late 2004 or early 2005.