Andrew Doyle/MUNICH
Moravan Aeroplanes has reached agreement with an unnamed Dutch financial institution over the establishment of a leasing venture to supply its light aircraft to European training schools and flying clubs.
The Aerolease venture is being set up in partnership with Aeronet, Moravan's distributor in the Benelux countries, and is to start operations in June. The Czech manufacturer produces the single-engined Zlin 143Lfour-seat utility aircraft and the Z-242L two-seat aerobatic trainer.
Moravan head of aircraft sales Pavel Holik says Aerolease will enable customers unable to afford an outright purchase to acquire aircraft on finance leases.
"There are many air schools and air clubs in Europe that will look for this sort of possibility to acquire aircraft," says Holik. He declines to reveal the Dutch institution involved before the official launch of the venture.
Aerolease will sign its first three customers in the Netherlands, after which its services will be offered throughout Europe. "They want of course to be close to the [first] customers and improve the service if possible before going outside the Netherlands," says Holik.
Meanwhile, US distributor Moravan North America has purchased two Textron Lycoming O-540-powered Z-143Ls and four AEIO-360-powered Z-242Ls so far this year for US customers. It hopes to sell at least 30 aircraft in the USA this year. "We expect the sales increase in the USA will be quite big,"says Holik.
The Z-143Lentered series production in 1995 and is certificated in the Czech Republic, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA. The Z-242L has been built since 1992 and 42 aircraft had been sold in the USA and Canada by the end of last year. It is also certificated in Sweden and Australia. Walter-powered versions of both aircraft are available for the Czech market.
Moravan hopes to win a contract to supply 100 military trainer aircraft to Egypt, but says it is unclear when a winner will be declared.
Source: Flight International
