The faster tempo is a welcome relief from the frustrating period in February and March when bad weather and foreign object damage to one of the
engines on N503EA slowed progress. Having racked up early hours in January, the aircraft flew just 3h in five days in February. Despite the short
hours, the test team expanded the landing gear in the normal and emergency operating envelope and opened the flap operational envelope to 200kt
(370km/h). Minimum speed was lowered to 72kt at maximum weight.
* What are the likely effects on the aviation market of the influx of potentially thousands of small, capable aircraft,
operating from regional and local airports, providing on-demand point-to-point travel unmatched by scheduled or even charter airlines?
