Quest Aircraft – manufacturer of the Kodiak 100 single-engined turboprop – has appointed Robert Wells as its chief executive. He replaces Sam Hill, who is retiring in February.
Wells has held a number of roles during his 40-year career in the aviation industry, which included a stint with Beech Aircraft, now Textron Aviation, and over 20 years with business aircraft services company Piedmont Hawthorne, which became Landmark Aviation.
Quest Aircraft
He spent the latter part of his career with Swiss business aviation firm TAG Aviation. Wells rose to become chief executive of parent company TAG Aviation Holding before retiring in 2015. He has remained as an adviser to the company’s board of directors.
“I am very pleased that an individual of Rob’s calibre and talent will be leading Quest moving forward,” says Hill. “Rob’s tenure with TAG Aviation’s family of companies and his broad aviation management experience will be a true asset as Quest continues its worldwide growth.”
Quest Aircraft
Quest – owned by Japanese companies Setouchi Holdings and Mitsui–is seeking to increase its global fleet of around 200 Kodiaks though its network of international dealerships. In preparation for the expected rise in sales, the company has expanded its Sandpoint, Idaho headquarters to include a larger manufacturing plant and a research and development hangar. The latter will house development of Quest’s next – and as yet undisclosed – aircraft programme.
Source: Flight International
