LOOP News

8 JUN 06: 'AWESOME' SPORT-JET

YET another Very Light Jet had its maiden flight during May. This time, it was the four-seat single-engine Sport-Jet, made by Colorado company, Excel-Jet. The aircraft clocked up eight hours of test flying in its first two weeks, reaching 80% of its projected cruise speed.

The company says Sport-Jet will sell for about $1 million, cruise at 340 knots at 25,000 feet, and be able to carry four persons for more than 900nm. As such, it's a direct competitor for Diamond's D-Jet, which had its first flight in April (LOOP, May 06) and also for the proposed Cirrus personal jet.

Test pilot Ron McElroy reported, "After eight hours of successful flight testing, now with gear and flaps retracted, we have flown Sport-Jet to within 80% of projected cruise speed. The aircraft continues to exhibit excellent stability and flight handling and is just a joy to fly.

" Excel-Jet president and aircraft designer Bob Bornhofen said, "Even at lower altitudes, we are indicating 195 knots Indicated Air Speed. This figure comes while there is still plenty of available thrust left. "We are extremely pleased with the takeoff performance. Sport-Jet takeoff runway rolls are under 1800 feet.

Even though we are deliberately using less than takeoff thrust, our ground rolls are under 12 seconds. "We have learned we need a faster chase aircraft to support the next series of flight tests," said Bornhofen. James Stewart flying a turbo Mooney as chase aircraft was already airborne before the Sport-Jet takeoff. He reported, "The Sport-Jet walked away from me even with its gear down. It is an awesome sight in the air. There was no way to keep up with the Sport-Jet until McElroy reduced Sport-Jet's power setting substantially."

W: www.sport-jet.com

Register for LOOP

Find a school/club

Book Flying Lesson

Buy an aircraft

Sell an aircraft

LOOP News

8 JUN 06: 'AWESOME' SPORT-JET