Flaris, the single-engine very-light jet that has been in development in Poland for about six years, has been in taxi testing since last month and a first flight is expected soon, according to the company website. Test pilot Henryk Szkudlarz will be at the controls for the first tests, which will take place from the airport in Bydgoszcz. The jet is built with a fully composite structure and is capable of landing on short runways and grass strips. The wings and tail can be detached for moving the airplane on a trailer or to more easily store it in a hangar.
The company said it will start taking pre-orders in May, at a price of 1.5 million Euros ($1.7 million U.S.). Part 23 certification is expected in about three years, but the company is also taking orders for experimental versions that could be delivered sooner. The airplane is the first aviation project undertaken by Metal-Master, a family-run business that manufactures parts for European automobile production. The chief designer is Andrzej Frydrychewicz, who also designed the Wilga, Kruk and Orlik airplanes.
