Excel-Jet Enters Certified Light Jet Race
MONUMENT, COLORADO March, 2004
In the race among companies offering one of the new fleet of microjets, a virtually unkown new entrant finally chose to go public with a project well on the way to completion.
Following on the success of the countrys first kitbuilt jet aircraft, Maverick designer/developer Bob Bornhofen made additional announcements about his latest project, the Sport-Jet.
Unlike some other microjet entries, we are currently assembling a flying pre-production prototype, said Bornhofen, president of Excel-Jet, Ltd. The company based near Colorado Springs has been organized to see the new aircraft through development and into production for the aviation marketplace.
We applied for certification six months ago and are certifying parts at this time. We expect our new entry to take to the air before the end of the year, Bornhofen said. The international team weve assembled has the ability to gain rapid certification and production. He promised to reveal more details in the near future.
Excel-Jets new model is a 4+1 seat, single-engine, all-glass aircraft aimed at the general aviation pilot. Sport-Jet has been thoughtfully designed for single-person operation by a pilot trained in piston-powered airplanes. Due to its many advanced features that simplify pilot workload, Excel-Jet believes the new model will be among the easiest of the microjets to fly. This will contribute significantly to the insurability of the aircraft when operated by non-professionals, added Bornhofen.
The new model, which will sell for less than $1 million, can cruise at 340 knots at 25,000 feet (above 95% of all weather). It can carry four persons over 1,000 nautical miles and will be equipped with a supplemental emergency landing system comprised of a multi-stage parachute capable of supporting the entire aircraft with all seats filled.
We havent said much until now, expressed Bornhofen.Many other aircraft were announced at early stages of development. We chose to work quietly towared a project before going public.
Excel-Jet Ltd. is a Colorado corporation formed to bring a new generation of light jet to the market.
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