Maverick Air is looking to fit derated General Electric CT58 engines to its five-seat Twinjet 1500, rather than wait for the Williams FJX-2, in an attempt to push forward certification and first deliveries of the factory-built version of the kit aircraft.
The CT58-powered Twinjet 1500 composite kit plane, which had its maiden flight in August, is due for first deliveries next year.
"By recertifying the reconditioned General Electric T58 or the Rolls-Royce Gnome engines for the Twinjet, the [factory-built certificated] aircraft could hit the marketplace by around 2002. If we wait for the FJX-2 it will take much longer," says Maverick Air owner and president Bob Bornhofen.
The Penrose, California-based firm believes there are "hundreds of suitable engines" available for conversion to satisfy customer demand until a new generation alternative is certificated.
Maverick continues to seek partners to help develop and manufacture the $1.7 million factory-built Twinjet 1500, which will be identical in appearance to its $250,000 kit stablemate. The aircraft has a projected cruise speed of 330kt (610km/h) at 4,575m (15,000ft).
Source: Flight International
