Maverick Jets of Jackson, Wyoming, revealed early this month that it is working on a “next-generation Maverick” to be called the SmartJet, a certified version of the company’s current, custom (51% owner-built) Leader.
According to Jim McCotter, Maverick Jets’ president and owner, the SmartJet will be a five-seat twin turbofan of all-composite construction. It will have a cruising speed of 277 knots and maximum range of 1,250 nm at 22,000 feet, McCotter says. Planned maximum takeoff weight is 4,160 pounds and empty weight is 2,150 pounds, comparable to other very light jets in its class. The airplane is priced at $899,000.
First flight is anticipated during the last quarter of next year, McCotter says, with FAA certification anticipated in the spring of 2009. McCotter added that he’ll disclose the SmartJet’s engine builder “later this year.”
McCotter said that he also wants to develop a single-engine SoloJet and a twin-engine jet amphibian to be called, perhaps not surprisingly, the SeaJet.