Aircraft

Epic Aircraft has flown its Elite very light jet for the first time as it moves ahead with plans to offer the all-composite twinjet first as a kitplane and later as a certificated aircraft.

Powered by two Williams FJ33-4s, the aircraft made the 40min flight from Bend, Oregon on 7 June.

The Elite will make its public debut in July at the AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, alongside the Epic LT single-turboprop and Victory single-jet kitplanes.

The single-turboprop Dynasty, based on the LT, is undergoing certification in Canada and Epic plans to follow the same business model with the 410kt (760km/h) Elite, which is to be available later this year as a six/seven-seat owner-built aircraft, with a six- to nine-seat version to be certificated in late 2009.

Kitplane specialist Comp Air Aviation, meanwhile, is working with consultants Downing Aviation Associates to secure investors and resources to develop its eight-seat, single-turboprop CA-12, first flown in March.

Art Manni, a founder of the Phoenix, Arizona-based consulting firm, says Comp Air is looking for bridge financing to continue flight testing while it raises the $100-150 million needed to certificate the 310kt aircraft, which is expected to take three years.

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• Comp Air CA-12 makes first flight