Fuji/Rockwell Commander 700/710

Fuji Heavy Industries of Japan began design of this pressurized wide-body twin engine business aircraft in 1971 as part of a diversification programme for their general aviation aircraft line. Three years later the company entered into an agreement with Rockwell International's General Aviation Division whereby the American company would share development, and would assume responsibility for marketing the aircraft in the US.

Six development and certification prototypes were planned, three in each country. The prototype Fuji FA-300 flew for the first time on November 13, 1975; the first Rockwell-assembled Model 700 made its first flight on February 25, 1976, and following US FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) certification in 1977, the aircraft replaced the heavier Commander 685 on the Rockwell production line.

With its capacious fuselage the Rockwell 700 offers an uncommonly roomy cabin for 6 to 7 passengers, with comfort rivalling that of larger aircraft. The pressurization system maintains sea level altitude conditions to 3810m and provides an 1830m cabin environment to 6100m. Customer deliveries began behind schedule late in 1978, but the well engineered airframe proved heavy and underpowered with the 340hp Lycoming piston engines, and, with a full load of passengers, range was severely compromised for all but short-haul journeys. The fuselage is constructed mainly from aluminium alloy and the tail unit has swept-back vertical surfaces and shallow dorsal fin. There is a built-in airstair in the left side of the fuselage. In Japan an uprated 450hp version known as the Fuji FA-300 Kai (Rockwell 710) made its first flight on December 22, 1976 and has since appeared with a number of modifications, including Whitcomb winglets. Rockwell have not taken up their option to produce this aircraft.

By early 1980 deliveries of Rockwell 700s had totalled only 29 aircraft, and the American company announced the termination of its joint development and marketing agreement. Rockwell have continued to support Model 700 operators and have continued to assemble from existing shipsets of Japanese components during 1980, but any future production will be concentrated in Japan.

Bill Gunston "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Commercial Aircraft", 1980

3-View

A three-view drawing (1800 x 906)