Poland-based Flaris is getting ready to commence flight tests on its LAR1 MALE jet, another version of its LAR1 prototype; a single-engine jet aircraft with a very lightweight, composite construction. The new model will be equipped with FFAS flight analysis technology which will interact with an autopilot, made by US-based Genesys Aerosystems to develop new quality of flight control.

Flaris LAR1 has already performed 42 take-off and landing phases over the Babimost airport runway in Zielona Góra in variable atmospheric conditions. It has also made two one-hour flights, testing the aircraft's performance, its control systems and the proprietary FFAS onboard computers.

“Our goal is to make the Flaris ready to function as an optionally piloted aircraft (OPV), with the pilot merely monitoring onboard devices,” explains head of the Flaris programme Rafał Ładziński. “Of course, we made sure that our jet is safe. We want it to buffet clearly to warn the pilot that it is approaching stalling speed, and for the potential stall to be safe and gentle with the nose pointing down. We don't want the safety of flight to be determined only by electronics.”

The Flaris LAR1 has a hybrid, durable composite metal airframe structure. It has exceptionally short take off and landing requirements; at less than 120m it can take off and land at flying club airports. Apart from its glider-like properties, the aircraft is equipped with an innovative emergency system and airbags for the entire aircraft and for the crew.

“We want Flaris to be easy to fly by inexperienced pilots with a private pilot licence, which is why we made sure the aircraft is safe,” adds Ładziński. “In the coming weeks we will publish photos and videos of the first tests of the safety system.”

Flaris belongs to a new category of small and economic high speed personal jets and can take-off and land on short grass airports. It is powered by a Williams FJ33-5A engine and flies at a speed of 770km/h TAS at FL250, 7600m. The expected range of the aircraft is over 3000 km.

Currently, the FFAS computers are collecting data about the properties of the aircraft and the engine in order to develop the optimal operating conditions for devices in all phases of the aircraft’s flight.