The GE T58-powered Maverick TwinJet is available only as a kit, but now McCotter Aviation, which purchased 90 percent of Penrose, Colo.-based Maverick Air in March, plans to develop a certified production airplane based on the Maverick dubbed the MC 2400. James McCotter, a Beaver Creek, Colo. businessman with interests in media and real estate, is president and principal owner of McCotter Aviation. Former Maverick legal counsel Robert Schultz was named president of Maverick Air after McCotter bought the company, but he left in October after McCotter assumed this position.

According to David Hall, v-p of administration and general counsel of McCotter, the company is negotiating with three European manufacturers to develop, build and certify the twin-engine, six-place personal jet, which would be “longer, wider and higher” than the Maverick. An agreement is expected by the end of the year. A McCotter staff aeronautical engineer is working on the design and wind-tunnel testing of a scale model is imminent. Performance estimates include a max cruise speed of 413 kt and 1,500-nm range. Engine thrust required is in the 1,000- to 1,200-lb range, and the Williams FJ33, Agilis TF1000 and Pratt & Whitney Canada PW600 are being evaluated. Targeted price is $1.3- to $1.5 million.

Although not selling the aircraft yet, McCotter began offering purchase options at EAA Oshkosh in July. Option holders will have the first opportunity to purchase the MC 2400 when it goes on sale. Anticipated first flight is July next year and certification is targeted for July 2003.

Hall said Maverick will continue to produce the kitplane, which is powered by military surplus T58 turboshaft engines that the company converts to derated 750-lb-thrust turbojets. Seven kits have been sold to date, but only one–the prototype–is completed and flying. McCotter, who is not a pilot, has been using it since he bought the company. However, Hall said he expects three kit owners will have their airplanes flying by the end of next fall. The company will begin promoting the Maverick more, he said, with the goal of selling three per month. The kit sells for $650,000 to $700,000, depending on options. The company’s Web site is www.twinjet.com.