Vulcanair Turboprop Single Preps for First Flight

Italy’s Vulcanair expects to begin flying its single-turboprop VF600W by the end of this month, according to Remo De Feo, president of the company’s Manassas, Va.-based distributor. The fuselage of the nine-seat, 8,600-lb-mtow airplane was derived from the Vulcanair SF600A Canguro and its high wing from the Vulcanair 600 Viator. The airplane is powered by a Walter M601F-11 turboprop engine. The company plans to build four or five pre-production aircraft to join the prototype in the flight-test program. Italian certification is anticipated in late 2004, with first deliveries expected in 2005. FAA certification would follow. The VF600W is tentatively priced at $900,000, IFR equipped, but Vulcanair has yet to begin taking orders.