The POC Sport-Jet accumulated 25 hours of virtually flawless flight-testing and had covered over 95% of the aircraft's stated performance envelope. "We discovered that the integrity of the aircraft and its systems were proved. We can and will move forward confidently," Excel-Jet Ltd., president Bornhofen emphasized.

Bornhofen added, "NTSB officials from the Washington DC headquarters visited recently and concurred with earlier regional agency findings; the Sport-Jet aircraft had no mechanical failures." Officially, NTSB is continuing its investigation.

A brief preliminary report from NTSB indicated "serious injuries" for the two men aboard, but both state this was incorrect. "I was examined in the hospital," said Stewart, a veteran test pilot and pilot-in-command of the accident aircraft. "I was released without action by medical personnel," he added. John Welty, acting as flight test engineer, said, "I was never even admitted to the hospital."

After the second NTSB visit as part of the ongoing investigation, Excel-Jet is convinced that the NTSB final report will cite wake turbulence as the cause of the accident. "But in the meantime, we are proceeding with further development of the Sport-Jet because what we discovered so far suggests we have a winner," said Bornhofen. The carbon fiber, roll cage-designed Sport-jet cabin is credited with preventing injury for the two occupants despite the severity of the impact.

To best reveal this ultra-strong cabin, Excel-Jet Ltd., will showcase the actual fuselage at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006 (in space #50 of the Main Aircraft Display Area). In addition, both Stewart and Welty will be on hand to show they are great shape following the harrowing incident.

Excel-Jet's new Sport-Jet is a single engine cabin class 4-place personal jet 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 ease pilot workload. "We have confirmation from the largest GA insurance broker in the U.S. that our approach will contribute significantly to the insurability of the aircraft when operated by nonprofessionals," reported Bornhofen. "We wanted to provide the GA pilot with a superior performance cabin class jet aircraft in a insurance-friendly platform. Our flight testing shows we are achieving that goal,"

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.

Original Release