2011/12/14

Scaled Composites Model 247




VisionAire Vantage

Vantage
Role Light business jet
National origin United States of America
Manufacturer VisionAire Corporation
First flight November 16, 1996
Status Prototype only
Number built 1
Variants Eviation Jets EV-20 Vantage Jet

The VisionAire VA-10 Vantage was a prototype single-engined light business-jet (or "very light jet") designed and developed by the American company VisionAire Corporation in the 1990s. A single proof of concept prototype was built, but the company failed before the aircraft could be certified, and no production followed, although the design did form the basis of the proposed twin-engined Eviation Jets EV-20 Vantage Jet very light jet.

Design and development

The Vantage was developed by VisionAire, founded in 1988, to fill a perceived gap in the light aircraft market between high performance piston-engined aircraft and twin-engined executive jets. The Vantage differed from contemporary executive jets in that it was powered by a single engine, a Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D turbofan buried in the rear fuselage, fed by twin air-inlets above the fuselage. It was of all-composite construction, and its wing was forward swept to minimise drag and allow an unobstructed cabin by allowing the wing spar to pass behind the cabin. It was planned to sell the Vantage for $1.65 million, compared with $3.3 million for the Cessna CitationJet.

The first prototype, a proof-of-concept aircraft intended to confirm the design's handling, was built by Burt Rutan's Scaled Composites at Mojave, California. It made its maiden flight on November 16, 1996. Testing of the prototype revealed a number of handling and aerodynamic problems, which resulted in a redesign of the aircraft in December 1998.

Delays to the programme continued, while costs mounted, and in January 2003, with the company having already spent $110 million, requiring another $125 million to complete certification and owing $35 million, a Federal Judge ordered VisionAire liquidated to pay its debts. The Vantage design was purchased by Evation, who used it as the basis for the twin-engined EV-20 Vantage Jet design.

The only existing Vantage now sits unused, its interior gutted, at the Ames Municipal Airport in Ames, Iowa.

Specifications

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004

General characteristics

Notes

References

Military Accidents/incidents Records

Retrieved from : http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=VisionAire_Vantage&oldid=461986661

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