France's Reims Aviation has secured two contracts worth Fr164 million ($27 million) for a total of six F406 CaravanIIs, the Cessna twin turboprop utility aircraft built in France.
The Brazilian Government, a new F406 customer, has bought five aircraft, for unspecified purposes, while the UK's Direct Flight has ordered a further aircraft for fisheries protection work. The UK company already operates two F406s for the Scottish Fisheries Protection service, and plans also to add a fourth, secondhand machine to the fleet. The aircraft are being converted for surveillance operations with the addition of an AlliedSignal Bendix/King RDR-1500 radar.
Reims Aviation says it has an orderbook of 12 F406s, including five target towing machines for South Korea and an aircraft for the French customs service. The company recently pulled out of plans to resume production of Cessna piston singles, but has pledged to continue its sales and distribution business. Reims Aviation also manufactures components for Airbus and Dassault aircraft.
Source: Flight International
