Stratos 714 Moves into Next Flight-Test Phase

Stratos Aircraft has received U.S. Federal Aviation Administration clearance to move into the next phase of the flight-testing program for its Stratos 714 single-engine personal jet. After years in the making, the Stratos 714 first flew on November 30 and since logged 42 hours and 33 flights, reaching speeds of 320 ktas (knots true airspeed) and an altitude of 17,000 feet.

“The company test pilot reported good handling with the sidestick controls and was impressed with takeoff and climb performance,” Stratos said of the initial flights.

Following those tests, the FAA removed initial flight limitations, including distance restrictions, clearing the way for more advanced development and testing, Stratos said. “We are extremely pleased with the progress we’ve made up to this point,” said CEO Michael Lemaire. “We haven’t encountered anything that would require a major change in the design.”

The aircraft, powered by an embedded Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5, is set for upholstery and painting shortly and will make its public debut at next month’s EAA AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Plans call for continued flight testing before it makes another appearance, this time at the National Business Aviation Association’s convention in October in Las Vegas.

Stratos has not yet begun taking deposits on the aircraft, saying it is waiting until it gets closer to certification. But the company added that it is “recording expressions of interest.” The aircraft, which will be certified under Part 23, is designed for a speed of 400 knots and a 1,500-nautical-mile range.