Williams V-Jet II
Encyclopedia
The Williams V-Jet II was designed and built by Burt Rutan
's Scaled Composites
for Williams International
as a test bed and demonstrator aircraft for Williams' new FJX-2 turbofan
engine.
applications since the 1950s, and had successfully entered the general aviation
market in the late 1980s with the FJ44 engine. In 1992, NASA
initiated a program, Advanced General Aviation Transport Experiments
(AGATE) to partner with manufacturers and help develop technologies that would revitalize the sagging general aviation industry. In 1996, Williams joined AGATE's General Aviation Propulsion (GAP) program to develop a fuel-efficient turbofan engine that would be even smaller than the FJ44. The result was the FJX-2
engine, which produced 550 lbf (2,446.5 N) thrust.
Williams then contracted with Burt Rutan
's Scaled Composites
to design and build the V-Jet II, considered a Very Light Jet
(VLJ), to use as a testbed and technology demonstrator to showcase the new engine. At Scaled, the aircraft was known as the Model 271. The aircraft and engine were debuted at the 1997 Oshkosh Airshow
. Scaled's test pilot Doug Shane
received the Iven C. Kincheloe Award
from the Society of Experimental Test Pilots
for his flight test work on the plane.
The V-Jet II was an all-composite structure with a forward-swept wing, a V-tail, each fin of which was mounted on the nacelle of one of the two engines. The overall design was quite reminiscent of the LearAvia Lear Fan, although much smaller.
Williams had not intended to produce the aircraft, but it attracted a lot of attention, and Eclipse Aviation
was founded in 1998 to further develop and produce the aircraft. The airframe was significantly redesigned as an all-metal structure sporting a T-tail, and the name Eclipse 500
. The prototype flew with a pair of EJ-2 engines, a variant of the FJX-2. However, performance was not satisfactory, and the design was changed to use two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F
engines, which had been specifically designed by Pratt for the Eclipse.
The prototype and only V-Jet II aircraft was obtained by Eclipse Aviation
along with the program, and was donated to the Experimental Aircraft Association
AirVenture museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
in 2001.
Burt Rutan
Elbert Leander "Burt" Rutan is an American aerospace engineer noted for his originality in designing light, strong, unusual-looking, energy-efficient aircraft...
's Scaled Composites
Scaled Composites
Scaled Composites is an aerospace company founded by Burt Rutan and currently owned by Northrop Grumman that is located at the Mojave Spaceport, Mojave, California, United States...
for Williams International
Williams International
Williams International is a manufacturer of small gas turbine engines based in Walled Lake, Michigan, United States. It produces jet engines for cruise missiles and small jet-powered aircraft.- History :...
as a test bed and demonstrator aircraft for Williams' new FJX-2 turbofan
Turbofan
The turbofan is a type of airbreathing jet engine that is widely used for aircraft propulsion. A turbofan combines two types of engines, the turbo portion which is a conventional gas turbine engine, and the fan, a propeller-like ducted fan...
engine.
Development
Williams International had been building small turbofan engines for cruise missileCruise missile
A cruise missile is a guided missile that carries an explosive payload and is propelled, usually by a jet engine, towards a land-based or sea-based target. Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large warhead over long distances with high accuracy...
applications since the 1950s, and had successfully entered the general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
market in the late 1980s with the FJ44 engine. In 1992, NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
initiated a program, Advanced General Aviation Transport Experiments
Advanced General Aviation Transport Experiments
The Advanced General Aviation Transport Experiments project was a consortium of NASA, the FAA, the general aviation industry and a number of universities which was shut down in December 2001. Its goal was to create a Small Aviation Transportation System as an alternative to short-range automotive...
(AGATE) to partner with manufacturers and help develop technologies that would revitalize the sagging general aviation industry. In 1996, Williams joined AGATE's General Aviation Propulsion (GAP) program to develop a fuel-efficient turbofan engine that would be even smaller than the FJ44. The result was the FJX-2
Williams International FJ22
The Williams FJ22 was a small turbofan engine that was being developed by Williams International for very light jet aircraft applications.-Development:...
engine, which produced 550 lbf (2,446.5 N) thrust.
Williams then contracted with Burt Rutan
Burt Rutan
Elbert Leander "Burt" Rutan is an American aerospace engineer noted for his originality in designing light, strong, unusual-looking, energy-efficient aircraft...
's Scaled Composites
Scaled Composites
Scaled Composites is an aerospace company founded by Burt Rutan and currently owned by Northrop Grumman that is located at the Mojave Spaceport, Mojave, California, United States...
to design and build the V-Jet II, considered a Very Light Jet
Very Light Jet
A very light jet, entry-level jet or personal jet, previously known as a microjet, is a category of small jet aircraft approved for single-pilot operation, seating 4-8 people, with a maximum take-off weight of under...
(VLJ), to use as a testbed and technology demonstrator to showcase the new engine. At Scaled, the aircraft was known as the Model 271. The aircraft and engine were debuted at the 1997 Oshkosh Airshow
Oshkosh Airshow
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is America's largest annual gathering of aviation enthusiasts held each summer at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States....
. Scaled's test pilot Doug Shane
Doug Shane
Douglas B. Shane is an American test pilot and has trained as a commercial astronaut. He was a member of the Scaled Composites astronaut team and one of the test pilots for SpaceShipOne, the experimental spaceplane developed by Scaled Composites...
received the Iven C. Kincheloe Award
Iven C. Kincheloe Award
The Iven C. Kincheloe Award recognizes outstanding professional accomplishment in the conduct of flight testing. It was established in 1958 by the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and honors the memory of test pilot and Korean War ace Iven C...
from the Society of Experimental Test Pilots
Society of Experimental Test Pilots
The Society of Experimental Test Pilots is an international organization that seeks to promote air safety and contributes to aeronautical advancement by promoting sound aeronautical design and development; interchanging ideas, thoughts and suggestions of the members, assisting in the professional...
for his flight test work on the plane.
The V-Jet II was an all-composite structure with a forward-swept wing, a V-tail, each fin of which was mounted on the nacelle of one of the two engines. The overall design was quite reminiscent of the LearAvia Lear Fan, although much smaller.
Williams had not intended to produce the aircraft, but it attracted a lot of attention, and Eclipse Aviation
Eclipse Aviation
Eclipse Aviation Corporation was the Albuquerque, New Mexico-based manufacturer of the Eclipse 500 very light jet and also at one time proposed developing the Eclipse 400 single-engined jet....
was founded in 1998 to further develop and produce the aircraft. The airframe was significantly redesigned as an all-metal structure sporting a T-tail, and the name Eclipse 500
Eclipse 500
The Eclipse 500 is a small six-seat business jet aircraft manufactured by Eclipse Aviation.Eclipse 500 became the first of a new class of Very Light Jet when it was delivered in late 2006...
. The prototype flew with a pair of EJ-2 engines, a variant of the FJX-2. However, performance was not satisfactory, and the design was changed to use two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F
Pratt & Whitney Canada PW600
-External links:*...
engines, which had been specifically designed by Pratt for the Eclipse.
The prototype and only V-Jet II aircraft was obtained by Eclipse Aviation
Eclipse Aviation
Eclipse Aviation Corporation was the Albuquerque, New Mexico-based manufacturer of the Eclipse 500 very light jet and also at one time proposed developing the Eclipse 400 single-engined jet....
along with the program, and was donated to the Experimental Aircraft Association
Experimental Aircraft Association
The Experimental Aircraft Association is an international organization of aviation enthusiasts based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Since its inception it has grown internationally with over 160,000 members and about 1,000 chapters worldwide....
AirVenture museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
As of the census of 2000, there were 62,916 people, 24,082 households, and 13,654 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,662.2 people per square mile . There were 25,420 housing units at an average density of 1,075.6 per square mile...
in 2001.
Specifications
- Length: 31 in 1 in (9.47 m)
- Wingspan 35 in 4 in (10.77 m)
- Wing Area 118 sq ft (11 m²).
- Empty Weight 2200 lb (997.9 kg).
- Gross Weight 3800 lb (1,723.7 kg).
- Maximum Speed 300 knots (588 km/h)
- Service Ceiling 30000 ft (9,144 m). MSL