Stratos 714 Light Business Jet

Stratos 714 is a single-engine light business jet designed and developed by US-based Stratos Aircraft. Credit: Stratos Aircraft.

Stratos 714 can take-off from and land on unprepared airstrips and grass runways. Credit: Stratos Aircraft.

The five-seat configuration of Stratos 714 features the fifth seat behind the co-pilot's seat. Credit: Stratos Aircraft.

The Stratos 714 features a glass cockpit integrated with two primary flight displays and a single multifunctional display. Credit: Stratos Aircraft.

The Stratos 714 can carry two flight crew and two passengers in a four-seat configuration. Credit: Stratos Aircraft.

Stratos 714 is a single-engine light business jet designed and developed by US-based Stratos Aircraft. The jet can fly from Miami to Seattle in seven hours using a single refuelling stop. The wind tunnel tests on Stratos 714 were carried out at the University of Washington Kirsten Wind Tunnel in August 2011.

The maiden flight of the Stratos 714 jet was completed in November 2016.

Aerodynamic design and development of the single-engine light business jet

The sleek and aerodynamic design of the Stratos 714 achieves more fuel efficiency compared to conventional business jets. Its airframe is built with advanced carbon-fibre composite materials to improve the strength-to-weight ratio, avoid corrosion and optimise drag during flight.

The aircraft has been designed to maintain extensive laminar flow at cruise speeds. It can operate both day and night from unprepared airstrips and grass runways.

The development programme for Stratos 714 was launched in December 2006. The aircraft was first unveiled at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) held in May 2008.

Its full-size cabin mock-up was showcased at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in July 2009. The tail design was unveiled in January 2011.

Features and cabin of the Stratos 714

The Stratos 714 features a low-wing monoplane design. It is fitted with side-stick flight controls, removable winglets, a detachable horizontal stabiliser, fuel systems, electrical systems, environmental control system and fuel management system. The aircraft is built adhering to the FAR 23 regulations for visual flight rules (VFR), international flight rules (IFR) and reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM).

The pressurised cabin of the Stratos 714 measures 2.9m long, 1.43m wide and 1.46m high. It accommodates two passengers and provides 0.76m of leg space. The cabin provides in-flight access to two external baggage compartments with 160 cubic feet of available volume.

It will be available in six different configurations, including standard four seating, club seating, five seating, training, potty and cargo. The five-seat model will feature the fifth seat behind the co-pilot’s seat.

A 0.6m-wide and 1.2m-high cabin door is available on the left side for passenger entry and exit. There is also an emergency exit door fitted on the right side of the fuselage section.

The cabin is equipped with an air-conditioning system, ice protection system, interior LED lights, reading lights for the rear seat, plus front and rear baggage compartment lights.

Avionics and engines installed on Stratos Aircraft’s jet

The avionics suite installed on the Stratos 714 includes an attitude and heading reference system, colour weather radar, wide-area augmentation system, flight data recorder, terrain awareness and warning system, mode S transponder, air data computer, dual VHF radios, voice-over recorder, autopilot and emergency locator transmitter.

The glass cockpit of the aircraft is integrated with two primary flight displays and a single multifunctional display in order to exhibit data related to navigation, flight instrumentation, fuel and the engine to the flight crew.

The Stratos 714 is powered by a single Williams International FJ44-3AP two-shaft turbofan engine rated at 13.5kN of thrust. The engine is mounted at the aft of the cabin to produce high thrust-to-weight ratio and minimise fuel consumption and operating costs.

The FADEC compatible engine is equipped with a single-stage fan with integral single-stage low-pressure axial compressor, annular combustor and single-stage high-pressure, as well as two-stage low-pressure turbines.

The engine is 1.58m long and 0.58m in diameter. Its dry weight is 239kg. The time between overhaul (TBO) is 4,000 hours.

Landing gear and performance of the Stratos 714 light business jet

The retractable tricycle type undercarriage of the Stratos 714 is hydraulically actuated by a gear switch. It is fitted with a single-wheeled nose gear and two main gear legs. The main gear retracts into the wings while the nose gear resiles into the forward fuselage upon take-off.

The Stratos 714 can fly at a maximum speed of 769km/h. Its stall speed is 117km/h. The maximum range and service ceiling of the aircraft are 2,779km and 12,500m respectively. The take-off distance is 600m and landing distance is 683m.