Design and Development
The A500 was developed from the M-309 CarbonAero technology demonstrator designed by Burt Rutan and built by Scaled Composites at the Mojave Airport. The "309" designation refers to this being Rutan's 309th aircraft design. The 309 first flew in March 2000, but the aircraft has since been gutted and was used as a static display outside the Adam Aircraft Industries headquarters. In 2006 the 309 was loaned to the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum and is now on display outside.
Compared to conventional twin-engine installations, the centerline thrust arrangement reduces drag and maximizes the controllability of the aircraft should one engine malfunction or fail. This engine configuration was used by the similar Cessna Skymaster. The A500 airframe is largely built of carbon epoxy skins composite materials with Nomex honeycomb core. Other features include cabin pressurization.
The prototype A500 first flew on July 11, 2002 and was FAA certified in May 2005.
In April 2011 the new owners of the type certificate, Triton Aerospace announced that they will continue development of the A500, with the aim of shedding weight from the design and restoring useful load. The aircraft will also be changed to a turboprop, with twin engined and rear-engined-only versions. A new prototype is expected in 2013 with re-certification to follow. The company owner, Thomas Hsueh, indicated that for now production is planned for the USA, but costs may require moving the assembly line to China, or even a lower cost country, such as Mexico.
Read more about this topic: Adam A500
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