Stratos 714
The project was announced in July 2008, a prototype first flew on 21 November 2016, although Stratos currently lacks the funding to complete type certification.
Chief technology officer Carsten Sundin launched the VLJ project with CEO Michael Lemaire, aiming for higher speed and range than competitors.
In 2003 he joined Epic Aircraft to become engineering manager on its new single turboprop and met the aerodynamicist of the Farnborough F1, Gordon Robinson.
[6] First flight of a proof of concept aircraft was achieved on 21 November 2016 before a public introduction at AirVenture in July 2017, with no firm schedule for certification.
Stratos CEO Michael Lemaire indicated at that time, "we are privately funded for the prototype phase, during which we are planning to explore the full flight envelope and draw conclusions for the certification stage.
Production aircraft with a $900,000 PW535E are targeted for $3–3.5 million, 50% more than a Cirrus SF50 but competitive with $4.5-5 million twin very light jets with its 400 kn (740 km/h), 1,500 nmi (2,800 km) range, 600 lb (270 kg) full fuel payload and consuming only 1.16 lb/mi (0.33 kg/km) cruising at FL410, while used aircraft at this price have lower efficiency, dispatch reliability and inferior technology.
[14] Powered by a 3,000 lbf (13 kN) PWC JT15D-5 with single-lever control, The 716X was unveiled at the July 2018 EAA AirVenture, to be available as a kit in the fourth quarter with a stretched and 2 in (51 mm) wider fuselage than the 714.
[13] On July 2, 2020, the 716X made a 22 minute maiden flight from Redmond, Oregon, climbing to 13,500 ft and launching a flight-test program that will last several months.
[15] The aircraft design features a cantilever low-wing with winglets, a cruciform tail and retractable tricycle landing gear.
The airframe is built from Toray pre-preg carbon composites and nomex honeycomb sandwich, except the aft-center section, a fairing-covered moly steel cage supporting the turbofan for damage tolerance, in case of an uncontained engine failure.
