Starts Taxi-Testing in Record Time

Excel-Jet, Ltd announced it has completed the installation of the Williams FJ33-4A engine, engine testing and start of taxi-testing prior to first flight. Excel-Jet contracted to use the Williams engine, which is rated at 1,500 pounds of thrust at takeoff. 

“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 (pictured below).

“In the first week after delivery of the engine, Excel-Jet’s team installed, tested, and checked out the engine and its FADEC system, ran the engine with complete success and started taxi-testing.” 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.

“We believe we achieved one of the fastest times for a complete engine installation and checkout based on industry norms” commented Bornhofen.

“The entire team (Excel-Jet and Williams personnel) worked together to make this happen and I can’t give enough credit to those involved.” Bornhofen added that all the engine run-up tests were nominal and so far all the taxi testing is going well.

“The aircraft keeps meeting its design expectations,” reported Bornhofen, “The pilot reports are extremely positive.”

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 from the largest GA insurance broker in the US that our approach will contribute significantly to the insurability of the aircraft when operated by nonprofessionals,” added Bornhofen.

FMI: www.Sport-Jet.com