Aircraft
In the Works: Maverick Jets Leader
Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM) of Tbilisi, Georgia, in the CIS, in early January terminated its agreement with Maverick Jets of Melbourne, Fla., to c

Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM) of Tbilisi, Georgia, in the CIS, in early January terminated its agreement with Maverick Jets of Melbourne, Fla., to certify and manufacture the Maverick Jets Leader, a twin-engine, kit-built very light jet. As recently as the Dubai Air Show in early December, TAM displayed a photograph of the Leader and included it in its sales material. Dr. Zurab Seskuria, TAM international economic relations director, told AIN that the company had worldwide distribution rights for the Leader and that it would seek Russian certification for the twinjet, followed by European and U.S. approvals. Flight tests with Williams FJ33-4 turbofans were to begin early this year, with Russian certification expected in the first half of the year.

But apparently after some 10 months of tests, TAM officials decided the Leader would be too difficult to certify and summarily ended the contract.