About JetPROP

JetPROP Project: The idea to develop a turbine version of the Piper Malibu/Mirage was begun in 1994 and continued to reality through the establishment, in 1996, of JetPROP LLC, formed for the purpose of carrying this project through the certification and marketing process. JetPROP LLC has contracted with Rocket Engineering Corp. to provide for the development, certification and installation of the JetPROP conversions. JetPROP LLC received the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for this conversion on Sunday, August 3, 1998 at AirVenture '98.

JetPROP Background: Rocket Engineering Corp. is an aviation certification company, Part Manufacturing Authority (PMA) certificate holder, and multiple Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) holder. Rocket Engineering is best known in the aviation industry for the 305 ROCKET and the 300 MISSILE conversion. They have converted over 170 Mooney aircraft in the last five years and the number is growing. The company's talented team of people include fiberglass specialists, A&P mechanics, welders, sheet metal fabricators and a complete FAA engineering staff with a combined total of 105 years of experience in the aviation aftermarket industry. Darwin Conrad, President and founder of the company, has 23 years of aircraft experience and has been involved in 20 successful STCs.

JetPROP Conversion: The JetPROP is a Malibu/Mirage with a Pratt & Whitney PT6A turbine engine and a Hartzell 4-blade reversible propeller. The conversion consists of a new dual battery system, including rack and structure support beneath the forward cabin seats, installation of dual lighted and heated wingtip pitot tube, installation of new engine instruments and the controls necessary for the conversion, the installation of a new header tank sealed in the right 1/3 forward baggage area (while still leaving room for Golf clubs!) with complete pump and support system, and the replacement of everything forward of the firewall with new or reinstall equipment for the installation of the new turbine engine and reversing 4-blade propeller. The conversion can be made to either the Malibu or the Mirage, and upon completion, the planes are virtually identical, except for the interior fittings.

JetPROP Certification: The JetPROP was certified under the same stringent regulations which applied to the original aircraft. During those tests, flutter analysis, tail and wing structure analysis and load tests were performed to confirm the structural integrity of the modified aircraft.