Stratos 714 Single Engine Jet Makes Strides Toward Certification

Cirrus Aircraft is soon going to have some competition for its recently certified SF50 Vision Jet as Stratos Aircraft announced it has completed the first flight test phase for its Stratos 714 single-engine jet.

Since the first flight in November of last year, the test pilots have logged 52 hours during 33 flights, topping out at 320 KTAS and 17,000 feet. The Stratos 714 performed as expected, being tested to a max weight of 8,300 pounds at various CG positions. “We are extremely pleased with the progress we’ve made up to this point,” said Michael Lemaire, CEO of Stratos Aircraft. “We haven’t encountered anything that would require a major change in the design.”

The targeted max cruise speed for the Stratos 714, which is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5 engine, is 400 KTAS with a range of 1,500 nm. Pilots will enjoy lots of legroom as the airplane is controlled with a sidestick. The 714 is configured for four, but multiple seating configurations are planned with as many as six seats.

Based on the results of the first phase of flight testing, the FAA has approved more rigorous flight testing profiles as well as marketing survey flights. The airplane is now going in for paint and upholstery and is expected to be on display at the Boeing Plaza during EAA’s AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, from July 24 through 30. Phase two of the flight test program is scheduled to begin after AirVenture.