Prototype for a pretty cool-looking business jet had its first flight today in Denver. Check out the first flight video clip. Puts a new spin on being a corporate pilot.
Where’s the loo?
And how’s the flight attendant supposed to walk around with drinks and gourmet meals?
That looks too much like a combat aircraft to be popular overseas.
Probably won’t sell well.
Took me forever to find that video – it’s on the Home page, not the press release.
Anyway, pretty cool, but hasn’t this been done before, with a tiny jet that was actually supersonic? I recall an article about it, but I’m not finding what I remember on the 'net.
I’m pretty sure Burt Rutan designed one. I seem to remember a Popular Science article or some such. Don’t know if he ever built any, though.
This may be it: BD-10
Actually, I see from the article that the program’s a partnership with IAI-Lahav who will sell a military trainer version. So while the American partner builds a civilian-from-the-assembly line version for a handful of Corporate VPs who want to be addressed as “Maverick”(*) (not an original line, sorry), Lahav makes one with such things as HD landing gear and “hardpoints” and tries to sell several dozen a year to various militaries (Still – I’m mondo skeptical of its chances in the market).
(*A few of whom will, for their final performance, create a smoldering crater, with or without ejection)
… and I forgot to add that real Jet-Jock-at-Heart millionaires like John Travolta or Michael Dorn will likely continue to buy and fly real mil-surplus fighter jets to get their kicks.
Are you kiddin’ me? A baby bizz jet that looks like a mini-F15?
Whaddaya think we are over here, hippies?
Where do I sign up? 
With my cousin’s company. They’ve signed a contract to buy one once they’re certified, in 2007 or so. And they’re based at Centennial Airport in Colorado, where the Javelin’s factory is.
My head explodes every time I think of this.
Looks like the plane didn’t raise its wheels. Still a fair way to go.
Hey, are you an X-Planer, too?
Nope, sorry. Just a resource. I’m too busy with the rest of the web to hang out there, although there are some really cool threads.
I’ve got about a thousand hours in the A-6E, all of it simulator time, most of that in the right seat. If I could afford it, I’d still have a subscription to AW&ST. Nowadays I mainly just read Approach.
Given the fighter jet style layout , high speeds & relatively small wing area it doesn’t appear that that plane is going to be real tolerant of rookie errors.
Maybe . . . 100 knot stall speed (with flaps) suggest an approach speed somewhere around 130, and that’s not too far off from some small business jets (which really aren’t for rookies either). If the FAA eventually certifies it, I don’t think they will allow a lot of squirreliness in handling characteristics. For liability reasons I don’t imagine ATG will either.