... In Record Time

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO — 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. "Based on experience with other customers for their line of jet engines, Williams expected installation and test operation would consume three months," explained Bob Bornhofen, the designer and developer of the Sport-Jet. Of course, neither has the engine company experienced a "skunk works" style development team such as Bornhofen has assembled.

"In just one week after delivery of the engine, we were performing engine run-up tests with excellent results. All systems were nominal," reported Bornhofen. "In the first week after delivery of the engine, Excel-Jet's team installed, tested, and checked out the engine and its FADEC system and then ran the engine with complete success," he added.

Shoehorning a jet powerplant into an airplane is not a simple bolt-on effort. The Excel-Jet team had to confirm and modify engine mounts, fabricate cooling ducting for the starter generator, install and test the FADEC, precisely align the engine to the inlets, finalize the engine inlet vibration isolation system, hook up all the engine sensors, complete the exhaust ducting, and validate new engine avionics.

Prior to this speedy accomplishment by Bornhofen and his small but focused Sport-Jet development group, Williams said their best-performing previous customer got the installation and test firing done in one month yet the Excel-Jet team completed all work in a single week.

With the same accelerated pace, Excel-Jet now looks forward to first flights in the Sport-Jet. Given how fast this group makes things happen, initial flight reports are expected very soon.

Excel-Jet's new Sport-Jet 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. "We have confirmation that our approach will contribute significantly to the insurability of the aircraft when operated by nonprofessionals," added Bornhofen.

Sport-Jet will sell for about $1 million, cruise at 340 knots at 25,000 feet (above 95% of all weather), and can carry four persons for more than 900 nautical miles in a surprisingly spacious cabin.

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