Podgórzyn, Poland-based Flaris completed installation of a Williams FJ33-5 turbofan in the first conforming LAR 1 (S/N 7) and expects to begin engine testing on the five-seat single-engine jet later this month in anticipation of first flight this spring. The company announced its selection of the 1,700-pound-thrust Williams engine at the Paris Air Show in June last year. Late last month, Beringer was named as the supplier of the very light jet’s anti-lock braking system.

Flaris is now conducting tests of the aircraft’s Garmin G600 avionics and the electrohydraulic power unit, which extends the landing gear in normal operation. It is also testing the landing gear emergency extension system, which uses a hydraulic accumulator to lower the gear if the main system should fail, as well as the electrical and fuel systems.

Three conforming aircraft are slated to conduct flight-tests, with Polish "special S1" certification expected sometime next year, followed by EASA and FAA type certification in 2019. Target performance includes an 820-foot takeoff distance, 380-knot top cruise speed, 3,300-pound mtow, 28,000-foot ceiling and 1,700-nm range.

At Paris 2015, Flaris told AIN that it plans to bring the €1.6 million ($1.8 million) jet to EAA AirVenture this year, and possibly to EBACE and/or the NBAA Convention.