Interceptor 400
Encyclopedia
The Interceptor 400 was a turboprop
-powered single-engined light aircraft developed from the Aero Commander 200. It failed to attract buyers, and was perhaps too far ahead of its time. In the early 1970s, at the time of its development, the market for single-engined turboprops was still a decade away.
Development of the aircraft commenced when Lymon Lyon approached Aero Commander
to build him a one-off modification of the 200, to be powered by a turboprop. His request came just as the firm was realizing that the aircraft was not economically viable, and instead, offered to sell Lyon the type certificate
instead. Lyon and a group of investors then formed the Interceptor Corporation to develop and market the aircraft.
Its first flight was on June 27, 1969, and certification was obtained in 1971
. However, without buyers, major Interceptor investor Paul Luce eventually took possession of the company's intellectual property and the prototype Interceptor 400 when the firm could not repay capital he had loaned it. The rights are now owned by Prop-Jets Inc, in which Luce has a 50% stake.
A militarized version, the Interceptor I400-M reached at least the planning stage. It was envisaged for a wide variety of roles, including training, reconnaissance
, Forward Air Control
, and Counter-Insurgency
, as well as general utility duties.
Meyers 145 -
Meyers 200
Comparable aircraft:
SOCATA TBM
-
Pilatus PC-12
-
Piper Malibu Meridian
Designation sequence:
Turboprop
A turboprop engine is a type of turbine engine which drives an aircraft propeller using a reduction gear.The gas turbine is designed specifically for this application, with almost all of its output being used to drive the propeller...
-powered single-engined light aircraft developed from the Aero Commander 200. It failed to attract buyers, and was perhaps too far ahead of its time. In the early 1970s, at the time of its development, the market for single-engined turboprops was still a decade away.
Development of the aircraft commenced when Lymon Lyon approached Aero Commander
Aero Commander (aircraft manufacturer)
Aero Commander was an aircraft manufacturer formed in 1944. In subsequent years it became a subsidiary of Rockwell International and Gulfstream Aerospace. The company ceased aircraft production in 1986.-History:...
to build him a one-off modification of the 200, to be powered by a turboprop. His request came just as the firm was realizing that the aircraft was not economically viable, and instead, offered to sell Lyon the type certificate
Type certificate
A Type Certificate, is awarded by aviation regulating bodies to aerospace manufacturers after it has been established that the particular design of a civil aircraft, engine, or propeller has fulfilled the regulating bodies' current prevailing airworthiness requirements for the safe conduct of...
instead. Lyon and a group of investors then formed the Interceptor Corporation to develop and market the aircraft.
Its first flight was on June 27, 1969, and certification was obtained in 1971
1971 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1971:- Events :* The Peruvian Army reestablishes Peruvian Army Aviation.-January:* January 6 - The United States Marine Corps takes delivery of its first AV-8 Harriers...
. However, without buyers, major Interceptor investor Paul Luce eventually took possession of the company's intellectual property and the prototype Interceptor 400 when the firm could not repay capital he had loaned it. The rights are now owned by Prop-Jets Inc, in which Luce has a 50% stake.
A militarized version, the Interceptor I400-M reached at least the planning stage. It was envisaged for a wide variety of roles, including training, reconnaissance
Reconnaissance aircraft
A reconnaissance aircraft is a manned military aircraft designed, or adapted, to carry out aerial reconnaissance.-History:The majority of World War I aircraft were reconnaissance designs...
, Forward Air Control
Forward air control
Forward air control is the provision of guidance to Close Air Support aircraft intended to ensure that their attack hits the intended target and does not injure friendly troops. This task is carried out by a forward air controller . For NATO forces the qualifications and experience required to be...
, and Counter-Insurgency
Counter-insurgency
A counter-insurgency or counterinsurgency involves actions taken by the recognized government of a nation to contain or quell an insurgency taken up against it...
, as well as general utility duties.
Specifications (Interceptor 400)
Related content
Related development:Meyers 145 -
Meyers 200
Meyers 200
The Meyers 200 was a single-engined light aircraft produced in the US in the 1950s and 1960s.-Design:It was the brainchild of Al Meyers and was a development of his Meyers 145 design. The holder of a number of speed records in its class, the Meyers 200 is widely admired for its clean lines, and is...
Comparable aircraft:
SOCATA TBM
Socata TBM
|-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0 7106 2537 5....
-
Pilatus PC-12
Pilatus PC-12
The Pilatus PC-12 is a single-engine turboprop passenger and cargo aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. The main market for the aircraft is corporate transport and regional airliner operators.-Design and development:...
-
Piper Malibu Meridian
Designation sequence: