Reims Aviation has still not decided whether it will restart licence-manufacture of Cessna singles for the French market. The company, which has exclusive rights to sell Cessna turboprops in France, says that it is now close to making a final decision, but it "-depends on whether it is better for our customers to build aircraft here or have them delivered from the USA".
Three Cessna 172R Skyhawks were produced from parts supplied from Cessna's Independence, Kansas, factory in July, and a further three kits are now being shipped over, according to the company. At the Paris air show in June, Reims Aviation said that it would restart production of 172s in July and 182SSkylanes in September, with a target of assembling between 60 and 70 aircraft this year, eventually growing to annual assembly of between 150 and 200, figures which the company agrees are "rather out of date".
Production of the long-standing 406 twin is likely to continue.
Source: Flight International
