The Adam A500 is a six-seat civil utility aircraft currently in production by Adam Aircraft Industries. The aircraft is of pod-and-boom, push-pull configuration with its two TCM TSIO-550 piston engines mounted to provide centerline thrust.

Description
Compared to conventional twin-engine installations, the centerline thrust arrangement reduces drag and maximizes the controllability of the aircraft should one engine malfunction or fail, this engine configuration was used by the Dornier Do 335 also known as the Pfeil during WW2. The A500 airframe is largely built of graphite composite materials. Other features include FADEC and cabin pressurization.

The prototype A500 first flew on July 11 2002 and was FAA certified in early 2005.

M-309
The A500 was developed from the M-309 CarbonAero technology demonstrator designed by Burt Rutan and built by Scaled Composites at the Mojave Airport. The "309" designation refers to this being Rutan's 309th aircraft design. The 309 first flew in March 2000, but the aircraft has since been gutted and was used as a static display outside the Adam Aircraft Industries headquarters. [1] In 2006 the 309 was loaned to the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum and is now on display outside.

Popular Culture
The A500 was featured in the 2006 film Miami Vice.

Specifications (A500)

General characteristics
- Crew: one, pilot
- Capacity: five passengers
- Length: 36 ft 8 in (11.19 m)
- Wingspan: 44 ft (13.41 m)
- Height: 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m)
- Wing area: 170 ft² (15.79 m²)
- Empty weight: 5,160 lb (2,340 kg)
- Useful load: 1,890 lb (857 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 7,000 lb (3,175 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× Teledyne Continental TSIO-550E piston engines, 350 hp (261 kW) each

Performance
- Maximum speed: 225 knots (288 mph, 461 km/h) at 22,000 ft (6,705 m)
- Cruise speed: 220 knots (265 mph, 425 km/h) at 22,000 ft (6,705 m)
- Stall speed: 75 knots (mph, km/h)
- Range: 1,150 nm (1,323 mi, 2,130 km)
- Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,622 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,368 ft/min (415 m/min)
- Wing loading: 37 lb/ft² (kg/m²)
- Power/mass: 9 hp/lb (W/kg)