Kestrel Aircraft recently completed a full-scale fuselage mockup of its turboprop single that incorporates several changes over the original prototype, including a taller cabin with more passenger volume, a steeper windscreen and larger windows. The mockup is on display this week at the Reno Air Races and will make appearances at both the NBAA and AOPA conventions this fall.
“This was just one little piece of the entire capital stack, but a very important piece,” Kestrel president and CEO Alan Klapmeier told AIN, adding the company will net approximately $7.5 million after fees and expenses. “With this cash more people will be hired and more engineering work done.”
The company anticipates certification of its turboprop single in three years. Kestrel recently completed a full-scale fuselage mockup that incorporates several changes from the original JP10 prototype built by predecessor Farnborough Aircraft.
Differences include a taller cabin with greater passenger volume, a steeper windshield and larger windows–changes to increase usability and make the aircraft “much more attractive,” according to Klapmeier. Power will come from a Honeywell TPE331-14.
The Kestrel mockup will be displayed this week at the Reno Air Races in Nevada, and will also be shown at the upcoming AOPA and NBAA conventions.
(Image credit: www.ainonline.com) |