19 April 2022
+VIDEO Belgian aircraft maker JMB Aircraft has flown a turbine-powered version of its fast microlight, the VL-3, and will be showing the aircraft at next week’s AERO22 event.
The first flight with the aircraft equipped with a TurboTech turboshaft engine was at Valenciennes airfield with CEO Jean-Marie Guisset at the controls.
“The first tests are very promising indeed!” said Jean-Marie. “We are continuing the tests to validate the performance, but the advantages are already visible: no vibration, quieter than the VL-3-915, higher reliability and a TBO multiplied by two.
“Moreover, VL-3 turbine is easier to fly than a traditional piston aircraft, thanks to the electronic management of the FADEC and its unique lever.
“We also noticed a major consumption gain, in comparison to the traditional turboprops, thanks to the heat exchanger. Kerosene price is also a good advantage compared to the fuel normally used.”
Company boss Jean-Marie gets ready for the first flight of the VL3 turbine. Photos & Video: JMB Aircraft
JMB Aircraft has been developing the turbine VL-3 for the past six months, with more than 50 hours of ground tests including 30 hours of full power testing.
Since the first flight, more than 20 flight hours have taken place with no technical issues.
