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.

“Excel Jet has entered into a contract to use our FJ33-4A engine,” said Williams representative, Ron Schwedland. “This engine is rated at 1,500 pounds of thrust at takeoff and it received FAA certification in September 2004.” He also noted that the FJ33-4A is the only small fan jet engine presently certified by FAA, and that the dual channel FADEC fuel control is especially suited for entry-level pilots.

The Williams powerplant is based on the successful FJ44 series, which has accumulated two million hours of service with close to 2,000 units operating. “The FJ33-4A is a direct scale of the FJ-44-2 engine that is in wide use and has provided an extremely good record,” said Schwedland. According to a survey in Professional Pilot magazine, for the last seven years the Williams FJ44 has been rated number one in service on business jets.

“We’re very pleased to have signed an agreement with Williams,” said Excel Jet president, Bob Bornhofen. “The FJ33-4A is the only appropriately-sized fan jet available that has FAA certification at this time.” Bornhofen noted that the Sport-Jet expects to fly this summer. “Since we expect to proceed quickly with certification based on our earlier successful experience with the Maverick TwinJet, we wanted to have an engine that was finished with its certification so as not to delay the approval process,” he added.

Excel Jet’s new model is a four-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. The new model, which will sell for about $1 million as a fully assembled, Part 23-certified aircraft, cruises at 340 to 365 knots at 25,000 feet. It can carry four persons over 1,000 nautical miles. Sport-Jet was designed from the beginning to be insurable for the typical general aviation single-pilot operator (see company website).

FMI: www.Sport-Jet.com