Toyota Successfully Completes 1st Test Flight Of Small Aircraft

– Plane Built to Verify High-performance, Cost-reducing Technologies –

Toyota has successfully completed the first test flight of an experimental aircraft built to verify high-performance, cost-reducing technologies for small aircraft.

Toyota commissioned the approximately one-hour test flight, conducted in the vicinity of California’s Mojave Airport on 31 May, to U.S.-based Scaled Composites, LLC – which has a well-established experimental-flight track record. The test was part of research to examine whether Toyota’s aerodynamics and low-cost production technologies could be applied to the small aircraft sector.

The aircraft used in the flight was a four-seat, single-engine piston plane fitted with an engine produced by an outside manufacturer. Its fuselage, consisting of a one-piece co-cured (single-moulded) unit of a carbon fibre and resin composite material, is aimed at achieving excellent aerodynamic and cost performance when compared to conventional small aircraft. Toyota plans additional test flights to complete a series of technological evaluations.

Based on technology accumulated through its car manufacturing experience, Toyota plans to continue with similar research in the area of personal aviation. The project is strictly a feasibility study and Toyota stresses that it has no plans at this time to introduce an aircraft to the market.

Please note there are no photographs of this aircraft available.

ENDS