GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) – A Grand Junction company has developed an aircraft that is more fuel efficient than a Prius, revolutionizing aviation with technology never before seen.
“4,000-pound rolls of aluminum come in that door of the manufacturing building, and airplanes go out the other door,” said Stephen Wood, Aeronautical Engineer and Founder of Spirit Engineering.
Nearly two decades ago, the Federal Aviation Administration agreed to a new class of aircraft known as a light-sport aircraft.
“That was a breath of fresh air that came into the aviation world at that time, because there wasn’t anything like that prior to it,” Wood said.
The development intrigued Wood, who formerly worked for Cessna. He had a vision for what these aircraft’s could become.
“I had in the back of my mind, at least a few thumbnail sketches of what I thought this airplane could be,” he said.
Wood began recruiting a few engineers, and started designing the aircraft in a small building across town.
The team of aeronautical and mechanical engineers at Spirit Engineering had specific objectives in mind.
“Low acquisition costs, low operating costs, low storage costs – that’s why the wings fold – and low maintenance costs. We designed the airplane to be very easy to access anything that needed maintenance.”
The team invented the Spirit SE-1 Light-Sport Aircraft and assembled their own V-2 engine.
“I wanted to be able to truthfully advertise 100 mile an hour cruise speed on 2 gallons of car gas an hour because I knew that was possible, and this airplane does that.”
The Spirit SE-1 aircraft made its grand debut this summer during the world’s biggest airshow – EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Making aviation affordable remained a priority for Wood, who said out of the nearly 700,000 licensed pilots in the U.S., only about a third are actively flying.
“Our initial target market is the two-thirds of them who aren’t active, and the main reason for that is because they cannot afford to do it.”
According to CEO, the aircraft costs $69,500 ready-to-fly.
“Everything about it was thought through. How will we make this part? How will someone inspect this part? How will someone replace or repair this part?” Wood said.
The aircraft has the ability to fly at 17,500 MSL, despite its size.
“We’ve flown it right over the top of the Rocky Mountains numerous times. Its altitude performance is absolutely stunning especially for an airplane with a 42 horsepower engine.”
Since the launch, Wood said the market reception has been tremendous, leaving many pilots intrigued by its unique qualities.
“This airplane had manufacturability as one of the key ingredients in the design all the way along, because this is what we envisioned, a production line,” Wood said.
The team at Spirit Engineering remains busy, testing and building aircraft and engines at its factory in Grand Junction. They say they plan to make multiple aircrafts a year.
Wood proudly looks back on what was once his vision, officially coming to life.
“Most of the time I can remember the meeting I was in or where I was when we drew the sketch of the concept of how to do that portion of the airplane. To see it all in fulfillment and happening is a lot of fun,” Wood said.
For more information about Spirit Engineering and it’s SE-1 aircraft and V2 engine, visit here.
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