Foxjet ST600
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| ST600 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Light business jet |
| Manufacturer | Foxjet |
| Status | Abandoned project |
The Foxjet ST600 was a small business jet under development in the United States in the late 1970s. Problems with development, particularly in finding a suitable powerplant, caused the project to be abandoned before any substantial work on the prototype had been done, but the concept proved to be ahead of its time, foreshadowing the very light jets of thirty years later. The ST600 was of familiar business jet configuration, with a low wing, cruciform tail, swept flying surfaces, and engines mounted on pods on the sides of the rear fuselage. The intentions of the project were to create a practical business jet small enough and light enough to take advantage of smaller airfields at a cost of around half of what full-size business jets of the day were selling for.
Three mockups were constructed and were widely displayed at aviation shows around the United States, and the project got as far as Foxjet contracting Aeronca to construct the prototype. The engines, however, proved a major stumbling block. The tiny Williams Research WR44 turbofan that had made the project possible received certification for use in a passenger-carrying engine, but due to the its selection as the powerplant for cruise missiles, the United States government blocked non-military use of the engine. Without a suitable alternative available, the project was doomed.
In 2006, a Foxjet mockup was exhibited at the AOPA expo at Palm Springs, Florida by Millennium Aerospace, which had purchased rights to the design in May. The company announced plans to resurrect the design and market it with Pratt & Whitney Canada PWC615 engines.
[edit] Specifications (as designed)
General characteristics
- Crew: One-two pilots
- Capacity: 4-5 passengers
- Length: 20 ft 7 in (6.26 m)
- Wingspan: 31 ft 8 in (9.64 m)
- Height: 10 ft 3 in (3.12 m)
- Wing area: 125 ft² (11.6 m²)
- Empty weight: 2,408 lb (1,092 kg)
- Gross weight: 4,550 lb (2,064 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Williams Research WR44-800, 850 lbf (3.8 kN) each
Performance
- Cruise speed: 410 mph (660 km/h)
- Range: 1,400 miles (2,250 km)
- Service ceiling: 41,000 ft (12,500 m)
- Rate of climb: 3,400 ft/min (17.3 m/s)
[edit] See also
Comparable aircraft
[edit] References
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 411.
- "Foxjet: low cost, high style" (21 May 1977). Flight International: 1402.
- Goodman, Warren (2 July 1977). "Business before pleasure at Reading 1977". Flight International: 22.
- Field, Hugh; Mike Hirst (15 October 1977). "America's big-business show". Flight International: 1117-18.
- "Aeronca to Build Foxjet" (28 January 1978). Flight International: 230.
- "Foxjet to fly in January, says Fox" (24 June 1978). Flight International: 1911.
- "Foxjet delayed" (7 April 1979). Flight International: 1047.
[edit] External links
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