Deal to sell metal aircraft manufacturing operation to New Zealand's Alpha Aviation includes European and US approvals
Apex Aviation has sold its all-metal trainer operation, comprising the Alpha 120T and 160A, to New Zealand's Alpha Aviation. The agreement includes the purchase of all the manufacturing plant, tools and jigs, designs and intellectual property as well as the US and European approvals.
Dijon, France-based Apex Aircraft will cease manufacture of the two types in about a year, but will continue as European distributor for the aircraft. Apex will continue to market its range of wooden light aircraft.
Alpha Aviation aims to manufacture the aircraft on a new site at Hamilton International airport, New Zealand. The owners of Alpha Aviation - Hamilton Aero Maintenance, Hammersmith Holdings and Izard Pacific Aviation - say they have carried out "extensive" due diligence for more than a year.
Alpha Aviation says there is a significant market worldwide for an affordable entry- level commercial trainer.
Alpha suggests there have been only a small number of metal trainers produced in the past 20 years, since Cessna and Piper abandoned this niche in 1982 and 1983, respectively, and the fleet is old and becoming increasingly expensive to maintain. Izard Pacific Aviation has been the agent in Australasia for Apex Industries since 2000.
Alpha says the formation of Alpha Aviation at Hamilton airport should help to bolster New Zealand's small aircraft manufacturing industry and bring considerable economic benefits.
Commercial production of Alpha Aircraft is expected to begin in around 12 months, says the company, which plans to ramp up to 100 aircraft a year as demand grows, 90% of which will be exported.
Alpha Aviation intends to subcontract most of the parts manufacture to local suppliers.
PETER CLARK / AUCKLAND
Source: Flight International
