Last year, the PiperJet proof-of-concept aircraft successfully climbed to its planned certification altitude of 35,000 ft. Chief Test Pilot Dave Schwartz and Test Pilot Buddy Sessoms were at the controls for the key program milestone.
Dave Schwartz reported that, “The aircraft flew well at FL350. From the preliminary testing that was accomplished, the aircraft was found to have positive dynamic stability in all modes. Additional center of gravity envelope expansion will be necessary, but this is a very promising result. The hard work by many dedicated people and detailed wind tunnel testing to optimize the design has resulted in a truly pleasant flying airplane. I look forward to Piper bringing this airplane through certification and placing it into the hands of customers.”
Buddy Sessoms confirmed that the aircraft exceeded expectations in high altitude climb rate saying, “ATC worked us into the existing traffic, clearing us for an unrestricted climb to FL350. They never once asked us to increase speed or to make best rate. It is nice flying a single engine jet that really performs. Even operating at heavy weight, we were climbing at better than 1000 FPM at FL340 before leveling off at FL350.”
The PiperJet was recently outfitted with a pressurization system to allow the aircraft to operate at higher altitudes without oxygen. So far, the test program has progressed very smoothly and this flight was completed with no reported squawks, something that has become fairly common.
The Williams International FJ-44 engine in particular has operated flawlessly, confirming the selection of the FJ-44 for the production aircraft as a wise choice.
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