Mooney International expects to certify its new M10 range of aircraft in late 2017.
The company set the target date after a meeting with the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) Preliminary Type Certification Board in February.
The announcment came as the proof-of-concept M10 made its US public debut at Sun 'n' Fun at Lakeland, Florida, earlier this month.
Mooney CEO Dr Jerry Chen said the new M10 would boost the company's product range.
“The new M10 series Mooney will add a new product dimension to the current production line-up which is currently anchored by the popular M20 Ovation and Acclaim aircraft. The M10J and M10T are bringing new technology and innovations to general aviation and Mooney aircraft that have not been seen before,”
The Mooney M10T and the M10J are intended to provide a stepping stone to the high-performance M20 series. The M10T is a fixed-gear composite trainer equipped with a Continental CD-135 diesel engine. The M10J is an upgrade from the M10T with more luxury, and a higher horsepower CD-155 diesel engine targeted at owner-pilots.
Mooney expects the proof-of-concept aircraft will conduct its first flight later this year.