Cardiff by the Sea, Calif.-based Spectrum Aerospace said flight testing of its Spectrum 33 very light twinjet is progressing on schedule. Austin Blue, who was recently promoted to the position of president of the start-up company, told AIN that the prototype has logged 40 hours in the course of about 40 flights at Spanish Fork Airport, Utah. He added that the flight-test program is “very active” and said there have been no surprises with the all-composite Spectrum 33’s handling and performance characteristics.

As of early last month, the Spectrum 33 conforming prototype had expanded its envelope to 340 knots and 25,000 feet, said Blue. He further noted that the aircraft has been obtaining 5,000-fpm climb rates and ground rolls of only 850 feet (ISA+20).

Three aircraft will eventually participate in flight testing, which is expected to culminate in FAA certification late next year or in early 2008. Blue said Spectrum has not begun taking orders for the $3.65 million twinjet. Those interested in the Spectrum 33 will be able to place deposits “by the NBAA Convention or shortly thereafter.”