Sport-Jet Gets an Engine Change

Colorado-based Excel Jet selected the 1,500-pound-thrust FJ33-4A turbofan for the single-engine Sport-Jet. Previously, Excel Jet said the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW615F would power the very light jet. Excel Jet said, “The FJ33-4A is the only appropriately sized fanjet available that has FAA certification…we wanted to have an engine that was finished with its certification so as not to delay the [Sport-Jet’s] approval process.” First flight of the “about $1 million” four-seat VLJ is expected this summer (six months later than previously scheduled), with FAA certification slated for late next year.