REDMOND, Oregon — The first flight of Stratos Aircraft‘s 716X model, registration N716X, was held July 10, 2020.
Flown by test pilot Sean VanHatten, the Stratos 716X is a six-place jet with an all-carbon airframe designed to cruise at 400 knots. The first flight, which lasted 22 minutes, included a full power takeoff and climb to 13,500 feet. A series of maneuvers were then conducted to evaluate handling characteristics.
The flight is the first of an extensive flight test program that will span the next several months, according to company officials.
The 716X is 4.5 feet longer, and has a wider cabin than the 714 Proof of Concept (PoC) aircraft introduced at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2017.
The all-carbon-fiber 716X features trailing link gear, is powered by a Pratt & Whitney JT15D-5 turbofan, and is configured with dual G3X screens, GTN 750 MFD, integrated Garmin Autopilot, dual standby attitude indicators, custom switch panels, fully automated pressurization system, and air conditioning.
“The first flight of the 716X went as briefed, which is a testament to the design quality and the professionalism of the crew here at Stratos,” said VanHatten. “The aircraft is well harmonized, and its directional stability was very good. The Stratos Aircraft team should be very proud of this accomplishment, and I’m looking forward to continued flight testing of this new design.”
“When we introduced the Proof of Concept 714 aircraft three years ago, the marketplace interest was tremendous,” said Stratos CTO Carsten Sundin. “It was clear that the market is looking for the performance and comfort we were offering, but in a true six-place aircraft. We have achieved this with the 716X. With a cabin width of 4.9 feet and height of 4.8 feet, there is plenty of room for passengers to relax on long flights.”
The Stratos 716X will be offered as an experimental kit build aircraft while the 716 will be certified by the FAA for production.
“We see producing a limited number of kit aircraft as a logical step towards certification,” Sundin said. “It will allow customers who don’t want to wait for the 716 certification an opportunity to own and operate a Stratos 716X much sooner, while we continue to develop our production processes.”
The Stratos 716X kit will include a builder’s assist program.
“We are excited to be able to introduce the 716X builder’s assist program,” said Sundin. “This program will allow us to deliver the 716X to a select group of customers very soon while we continue with the program for the 716 Certified aircraft.”
Carsten declared he is “extremely satisfied” with the results of the first flight.
“The aircraft performed just as predicted and the initial feedback is that the handling qualities are excellent. We look forward to now expanding the flight envelope and demonstrating the aircraft’s full potential.”