Safire Rethinks Engine Choice for S-26 Twinjet

The in-development 1,000-lb-thrust turbofan from startup Agilis Engines apparently isn’t a shoo-in for the Safire S-26 personal twinjet, as previously indicated. AIN has learned that powerplants from Pratt & Whitney Canada and Williams International were also evaluated for the new twinjet during a design review conducted in June. The winning powerplant will be announced soon, possibly at this month’s NBAA Convention, and Safire will update the performance specifications for the minijet to reflect the final engine choice. West Palm Beach, Fla.-based Safire hopes to fly an S-26 next year and certify it in 2004.