A NEW US light-aircraft manufacturer has emerged with the 19 November first flight of the Kestrel KL-1A. Based in Norman, Oklahoma, Kestrel Aircraft was founded in 1991 by former Cessna international sales manager Dr Donald Stroud, to develop a line of four- and six-seat piston-single utility aircraft.
The $89,500 KL-1A closely resembles the Cessna 172 it is designed to replace, but has an all-composite airframe and offers superior performance, says Kestrel. A second aircraft is scheduled to be flown in December, fitted with Fowler flaps, and will be used for FAR 23 certification, which is scheduled for the second quarter of 1996.
Production deliveries are scheduled to begin immediately following certification, against orders for more than 60 aircraft secured by deposits, and letters of intent for a further 22, Kestrel says. The four-seat, 120kW (160hp) KL-1A will be followed over the next 12-18 months by the 140kW -1B, 170kW -1C and the six-seat, 240kW -1D.
Kestrel, which says that it is well funded, with a "large US company" as a major shareholder, plans to build 120 aircraft in the first full year of production, at a location yet to be selected.
Source: Flight International
