Aérospatiale SN 601 Corvette
Aérospatiale · France · first flew 1970 · airliner
The Aérospatiale SN 601 Corvette was a French light business jet developed in the late 1960s, featuring a rear-engine T-tail configuration typical of jets of that era. It was intended to compete in the growing executive jet market but achieved only modest sales.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbofan, tail-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 13.83 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Small French business jet with T-tail and rear-mounted engines
- Six-to-eight seat cabin for executive transport
- Straight-tapered low wing with clean leading edge
A compact low-wing business jet with rear-mounted twin turbofans, T-tail, and moderately swept wings. Distinguished from the Learjet by its larger, wider fuselage and from the Citation by its T-tail layout. The small fleet means it is an uncommon sight.
Specifications
- The Aérospatiale SN 601 Corvette has a length of 13.83 m (45 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.87 m (42 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 760 km/h (472 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 crew + up to 8 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown on 16 July 1970, the Corvette was developed by Aérospatiale (later absorbed into EADS/Airbus) as a small business jet. French certification was obtained in 1974 and FAA approval followed. Despite reasonable performance, only 40 aircraft were built, as the market proved competitive with established types like the Cessna Citation and Learjet.
Variants
The SN 601 was the sole production variant; earlier SN 600 was a development prototype. No major production sub-variants were produced.
Where you'll see it
Operated by French executive charter operators and a small number of international customers; Air Alpes used examples for regional operations. Rarely seen outside France.
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