French aerostructures and aircraft manufacturer Issoire Aviation has returned to Paris with the pride of its piston-single family.
The APM 30 Lion very light aircraft (VLA) and APM 40 Simba are both selling well, says the company.
“We are seeing a surge in demand for both types this year [after a slow 2014]” it says. “Last year we delivered only two Lions for example, but this year we expect to deliver 10.”
Issoire, based in the Auvergne region, is hoping to drum up sales for the two types at the show.
The three-seat Lion entered service in 2007. Priced at Euros 175,000 ($197,000), the Rotax 912S-powered aircraft is targeted at the training market and owner flyers.
The Simba is Issoire’s only aircraft certificated to European CS-23 standards. The company is bidding to supply up to 30 of the four-seat types to the French civil aviation training school, ENAC to replace its fleet of Socata TB10s. “We will deliver the first of three aircraft at the end of the year for ENAC to evaluate. Fingers crossed,” says Issoire.
The Lycoming IO-240B-powered Simba entered service in 2011 and is priced at Euros 250,000.
Issoire also produces the two-seat 16-year old APM 20 Lionceau VLA and is developing an aerobatic model called the APM 50 Nala.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
