Excel Jet Press Releases
Excel-Jet, Ltd. Sues FAA for 2006 Sport-Jet Crash - October 17th, 2007
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO – Excel-Jet, Ltd., initiated legal action against the FAA for the crash of the Company's
Sport-Jet prototype aircraft. During test flight number 25, Air Traffic Control cleared the aircraft for takeoff behind a
large commercial aircraft, in violation of mandatory separation requirements. The Sport-Jet suffered a violent un-commanded
roll immediately after liftoff and crashed. After extensive investigation over 15 months, the Company says that it has no
option but to take this action to prove that there was no fault with the aircraft or pilot.
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Sport-Jet to Continue Development - July 18th, 2006
Despite an unfortunate setback when wake turbulence downed the proof-of-concept Sport-Jet, that initial
aircraft had served its purpose in evaluating virtually all of the performance and handling envelope of the
new Personal Jet. The best news is the survival without injury of both occupants including test pilot James
Stewart and mechanic John Welty, which clearly demonstrated an uncompromising new level of occupant safety.
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NTSB Clears Sport-Jet - July 5th, 2006
While NTSB's official report remains in development the agency's investigation gave preliminary acknowledgement:
"The Sport-Jet aircraft had no mechanical failures." The official statement from NTSB remains, "This accident is
under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. Progress of the investigation can be obtained from
Jennifer Kaiser who is the investigator in charge for this accident."
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Bob Bornhofen: Excel Jet's Performance Sports Jet - May/June, 2006
For too long a cloud cover of false starts, failed efforts and unfulfilled promises have hung over the expectations
for a personal jet becoming available to the general aviation public. Now, at last, a ray of sunlight is about to
break through to open the skies to those owner/operators who want a fast, affordable and insurable jet that's an easy
transition for the General Aviation pilot. Enter the Sport-Jet which is the product of Excel Jet, Ltd.
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Sport-Jet Suffers Crash in Flight Test - June 23rd, 2006
During takeoff for flight number 25 in the Sport-jet flight test program, the aircraft suffered an uncommanded
roll at low altitude, possibly induced by wake turbulence or weather phenomenon such as a microburst. The
airplane was piloted by James Stewart, a retired military F-16 pilot. John Welty, an A&P mechanic,
accompanied Stewart in the test flight. Both men were taken to the hospital as a precaution; both were released.
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Sport-Jet Flight Testing Validates High Performance - May 22nd, 2006
As flight testing continues on the new Sport-Jet, Excel-Jet president and aircraft designer Bob Bornhofen announced,
"We are clearly validating our preliminary estimates of performance. In fact, we may exceed initial projections."
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Sport-Jet Starts Flight Testing - May 15th, 2006
Excel-Jet, Ltd., announced its Sport-Jet logged almost four hours as flight-testing began last weekend. First
flights followed Excel's rapid installation of the FJ33-4A engine less than two weeks after delivery of the Williams engine.
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Sport-Jet Installs and Makes Initial Test Firing
of Williams FJ33-4A Engine ... In Record Time
- May, 2006
Excel-Jet, Ltd announced it has completed the installation of the Williams FJ33-4A engine and run the powerplant through
an initial test run. Earlier, Excel-Jet contracted to use the Williams engine, which is rated at 1,500 pounds of thrust
at takeoff. Having achieved FAA certification in September 2004, the FJ33-4A is the only small fan jet engine presently
certified by FAA.
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Sport-Jet Enroute to Guthrie, Oklahoma;
Guthrie Industrial Development Authority Provides Incentives
- December, 2005
Excel-Jet, Ltd announced it reached a financial agreement with the Guthrie, Oklahoma Industrial Development Authority.
"We've completed negotiations and Excel-Jet will be relocating its facility to Guthrie within 90-120 days," said company
president and designer, Bob Bornhofen. Excel-jet has been based in Colorado since its inception in 2002.
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Excel Jet Signs Agreement with Williams for FJ33-4A Engine - April, 2006
Excel Jet, Ltd,. and Williams International announced they have signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the Michigan-based
engine maker to supply powerplants for the Sport-Jet single-engine very light jet aircraft. Maverick TwinJet developer,
Bob Bornhofen, is creating Sport-Jet. His company, Excel Jet, is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
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Sport-Jet Weighs In - March, 2005
"Airplanes, like their pilots, tend to gain weight over time," says on oft-repeated statement of aircraft owners.
In the same vein, aircraft in development always seem to end up with many more pounds than originally conceived. But
the Sport-Jet is not your common aircraft in development and Excel-Jet, Ltd is not the typical development team.
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Sport-Jet PoC Takes Shape with Tail, Door, and Spar Sections - 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.
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Sport-Jet Proof of Concept Aircraft Coming Together - July 2004
Excel-Jet, based in Colorado, is starting to receive essential components as it continues work to assemble its proof
of concept aircraft. A fuselage arrived from its west coast fabricator. The spar carrythrough and engine inlets have
arrived from eastern Europe. Designer Bob Bornhofen is moving quickly to fit the components together in his drive to
fly Sport-Jet in 2004.
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Excel-Jet Enters Certified Light Jet Race - 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.
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The Sport-Jet Priced Under a Million - An Insurable Jet - January, 2004
Bob Bornhofen is the president and founder of Colorado-based Excel-Jet, Ltd., and he is a firm believer that the Sport-Jet
will satisfy the transportation needs of pilots who are looking for a "personal jet," which will safely and efficiently
get them from point A to point B.
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Recent News
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO – Excel-Jet, Ltd., initiated legal action against the FAA for the crash of the Company's
Sport-Jet prototype aircraft. During test flight number 25, Air Traffic Control cleared the aircraft for takeoff
behind a large commercial aircraft, in violation of mandatory separation requirements. The Sport-Jet suffered a
violent un-commanded roll immediately after liftoff and crashed.
Read More...