Two companies with aircraft in development separately told reporters at the National Business Aviation Association convention in Orlando, Fla., that they are continuing development plans. Stratos Aircraft and the Dornier Seaplane Company both hope to bring aircraft to market soon.
Stratos Aircraft appointed a new CEO, Alexander Craig, and said it has its first deposit for the Stratos 714 very light personal jet to be built at its Bend, Ore., plant. The company displayed a full-scale cabin mockup at the NBAA convention. The first deposit was placed by Cascade Air Charter located in Bend. It is a Part 135 charter business. The aircraft is a carbon-composite design and promises a cruise speed of 400 knots and a claimed range of 1,500 nautical miles. It carries four people.
Dornier Seaplane said it continues to build momentum in production, sales, and product “configuration definition” for its twin-engine turboprop amphibious aircraft. Dornier Seaplane officials say they have more than 25 letters of intent from commercial and private buyers worldwide that they are converting to firm orders. The company said it has narrowed the final assembly site to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, near Montreal, or North Bay, Ontario. Winter flight operations will be based in Punta Gorda, Fla. The FAA and EASA-certified demonstrator Seastar aircraft has been upgraded to a 10-seat luxury interior.