Not every executive who wants a multiengine aircraft is ready to move into a business jet. Those are the people Aviation Technologies International is targeting with the development of the RT-700, a high-performance, pressurized, cabin class executive piston twin aircraft.
The design is eye-catching. The aircraft has a T-tail and a canard on the nose. The engines are set up in a pusher-prop configuration.
According to specifications provided by ATI, the aircraft will have a cruise speed of 303 mph, a range of 1,250 nautical miles and a service ceiling of 30,000 feet.
“This aircraft is designed for the executive who is looking for a replacement for a piston twin,” explained Ravi Tripuraneni, president and CEO of ATI. “Most of the designs on the market now are 25 years old or more. This is something new.”
Tripuraneni describes the RT-700 as the next generation of piston twin, capable of providing turboprop performance while simultaneously providing amenities associated with higher-end aircraft — yet at a piston price.
“When designing the RT-700, we looked at the items that customers of cabin-class twins have wanted for a long time,” he continued. “For example, we designed it to have a quiet cabin, luggage space in the front and back, a snack center and a belted potty seat opposite a second luggage space area. We designed it as much for the air charter operator as for the business market.”
Although its primary market is the United States, the company has global aspirations. Eventually a diesel version of the aircraft will be produced, “which will be good for Asia, Europe and Latin America, where aviation fuel is very expensive and often not available,” said Tripuraneni, adding that the aircraft is in the “detailed design stage.”
“We have done extensive research with a mock up and we are very happy with the results,” he said. “We estimate it will be about 15 months before we have a flying prototype.”
The aircraft will most likely be constructed of composite materials because of the better efficiency and reduction of drag achieved using composites.
“It is no longer new technology, so certification of the RT-700 will be much easier than it was in the day of the Beech Raytheon Starship,” said Tripuraneni.
The aircraft will feature Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) controlled liquid cooled engines and integrated flat-panel avionics.
The aircraft is designed for single pilot operations, “so you will not have the insurance issues you can encounter with the light jets,” he says.
Base price is $995,000.
ATI is based in Orange, Calif., and Tripuraneni said the prototype would probably be built someplace in the Los Angeles area, noting that they have been looking at locations at a few airports, but have not signed a lease yet.
“We have not yet determined where the manufacturing of the aircraft will take place other than it will be in the United States,” he said. “For a project of this size and quality, we feel it is a good idea to do the manufacturing here. Also, the U.S. is the largest market for us.”
For more information: 714-937-3077.