Aces high: World’s Smallest jet takes to the skies
The world's smallest business jet Flaris LAR 1 has made its debut flight after successfully taking off from Zielona Góra.
The EUR 2 million five-seat jet powered by a single Williams FJ33-5A turbofan engine was piloted by Wiesław Cena during the test at Babimost Airport.
The EUR 2 million five-seat business jet is powered by a single Williams FJ33-5A turbofan engine.
On the initial test flight, Cena checked the jet single's optimal take-off and landing configurations, as well as its control and stability.
Wind conditions during the first flight were reported as gusty and there was a cross-wind component.
Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson (pictured inside the Flaris Lar 1) is a keen pilot and has reportedly put in an order for a few of the jets.
Altogether, 26 take-offs and landings were conducted during the initial flight.
Rafał Landinski, founder of Metal Master, the company behind the plane, said: "The aircraft performed and handled very well in difficult conditions."
On the initial test flight, Cena checked the jet single's optimal take-off and landing configurations, as well as its control and stability.
The tests also confirmed the LAR 1's ability to take off using less than 100 metres of runway and climb at a rate of 5,900 feet a minute or 30 metres per second.
Certification under Polish S-1 regulations for experimental aircraft is planned by the end of the year.
One of the unique safety features of the aircraft is an in-the-nose whole-aircraft ballistic parachute and it can also glide a distance of 18 km without propulsion.
Metal Master, will then pursue validation with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency under CS-23 regulations, with the aim of gaining approval by the end of 2020.
There is already a list of clients waiting to fly the plane with Iron Maiden lead singer, Bruce Dickinson expressing interest back in 2015. Dickinson is a keen flyer with over 10,000 hours logged in the pilot’s seat and he even owns an aviation maintenance company.
Altogether, 26 take-offs and landings were conducted during the initial flight.
One of the unique safety features of the aircraft is an in-the-nose whole-aircraft ballistic parachute and it can also glide a distance of 18 km without propulsion for every 1 km of height loss due to its unique lift-to-drag ratio this allows the plane to land in unconventional areas should the need arise.
The plane also has detachable wings to help with storage in limited space.
