S7 Plans To Resurrect Single-engine Victory Jet

S7 Group, which runs one of Russia’s biggest airlines, aims to revive the former Epic Aircraft Victory single-engine jet program in a bid to produce Russia’s first serial business jet, the group told AIN late last week. S7 previously bought rights for production of the personal jet, which made its first flight in 2007, after Epic filed for bankruptcy in 2009.

Plans call for S7 to build a new production facility in Moscow’s Stupino area as part of a $220 million investment agreement inked between the company and the Moscow city government at the recent St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. S7 expects to initially produce 20 to 25 Victory jets per year from that plant.

Since the five-seat jet is an all-composite design, S7 Group is establishing its own composite laboratory to supply carbon fiber and other related materials for the Victory production facility. The company estimates a $3 million price tag for the jet, which is projected to have a 2,271-kg/5,0007-pound mtow, 2,200-km/1,188-nm range, and 325-knot cruise speed.