China Aviation Industry I (AVIC I) company Guizhou Aviation Industry has formed a joint venture with the Czech Republic's Evektor-Aerotechnik for the production of general aviation aircraft.
The venture, Guizhou Evektor Aircraft, covers the R-257 Raven utility aircraft and the EV-97 Eurostar two-seat light aircraft. The venture was registered in June, and was followed by the first flight of the R-257, which was developed by Wolfsberg-Evektor Aircraft, on 28 July in the Czech Republic, and the first flight of a Guizhou-manufactured EV-97 on 24 October.
The all-metal R-257 is powered by two 223kW (300hp) Teledyne Continental IO-550-N engines and can carry up to seven passengers plus two crew, or up to 863kg (1.900lb) of cargo. It also has potential sports, search and rescue, agricultural and military applications, says Guizhou.
The EV-97 was originally developed by Evektor Aerotechnik.
Source: Flight International
