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Sport-Jet PoC Takes Shape with Tail, Door, and Spar Sections

MONUMENT, COLORADO October, 2004

In its continuing drive to fly a proof-of-concept (PoC) aircraft before year end, Excel-Jet, based in Colorado, has installed the tail section of the 4+-seat single-engine jet aircraft. The nosewheel has been installed and the cabin entry door has been fitted. Main and trailing spar carrythroughs have also been installed in anticipation of wing installation.

Designer Bob Bornhofen, known for his successful completion of the Maverick TwinJet kit airplane, is employing an excess of aviation manufacturing capacity in eastern European countries, much like airline producer Boeing is doing. We are using high levels engineering expertise on a consulting basis, versus the traditional in-house payroll, at a fraction of the cost, explains Bornhofen. Production facilities for initial fabrication of fuselage, tail, and wings are also being negotiated in Eastern Europe. These facilities are sitting idle with substantial production incentives and a ready work force, reports Bornhofen.

Though another company bought the Maverick TwinJet design and sullied its reputation, aerospace engineer Bornhofen uses the jet kit as proof of his abilities. Three completed kits have exceeded 340 knots airspeed and amassed over 400 hours of flight experience, something no other very light jet aircraft has yet achieved, even including Cessnas Mustang entry and the Eclipse 500.

Bornhofen indicated, Our Maverick passed all F.A.R. Part 23 flight tests. It wasnt certified, as the Williams FJX engine, around which it was designed, was never brought to market. However, the TwinJet was ready for certification and Sport-Jet employs the same engineering concepts. Sport-Jet is not a kit, however, and is aimed at winning full Part 23 certification.

Excel-Jets new model is a 4+1 seat, single-engine, all-glass aircraft aimed at the general aviation pilot. Sport-Jet has been designed for single-person operation by a pilot trained in piston-powered airplanes. Many advanced features and a simplified design eases pilot workload. This will contribute significantly to the insurability of the aircraft when operated by nonprofessionals, added Bornhofen.

The new model, which will sell for $950,000 as a fully-assembled Part 23-certified aircraft, can cruise at 340 to 365 knots at 25,000 feet. It can carry four persons over 1,000 nautical miles and will be equipped with a parachute-based supplemental emergency landing system. Sport-Jet was designed from the beginning to be insurable for the typical general aviation single-pilot operator.

Excel-Jet Ltd. is a Colorado corporation formed to bring a new generation of light jet to the market.

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