Prototype Now Under Construction

While ANN told you this was coming MONTHS ago, we're pleased to note that the original Maverick TwinJet designer, Bob Bornhofen, is well at work on his latest "Go-Fast" design. In the race among companies offering one of the new fleet of microjets, a virtually unknown new entrant finally chose to go public with a project well on the way to completion.

Following on the success of the country’s first kitbuilt jet aircraft, Maverick designer/developer Bob Bornhofen is finally making public disclosures 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. "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," he said. "The international team we’ve assembled has the ability to gain rapid certification and production."

Excel-Jet’s 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 haven’t said much until now," expressed Bornhofen. "Many other aircraft were announced at early stages of development. We chose to work quietly toward a project before going public."

FMI: Telephone Excel-Jet at 719-495-7221