Russia's VMD Aviagroup is to start production of the four-seat Canadian-designed Zodiac CH 640 light aircraft at its Perm facility from this month, the company's head Vladimir Bolshakov says.
"The first of our planes, I hope, will be a four-seater," he says. "It is a development of the Canadian Zodiac 640. Our company will make up to 20 aircraft a year. The plane will, for now, use the Canadian name, Zodiac 640."
Bolshakov quotes a price of roubles (Rb) 4 million ($120,000) for the aircraft, which will be powered by a modified car engine.
The aircraft might also be built in a floatplane variant, he says.
VMD Aviagroup sees hobby flyers as the main potential customer, as well as Russian government agencies like the emergencies ministry.
The single-engined Zodiac CH 640 is produced in Canada as a kit-build design. The $29,000 low-wing four-seater features a tricycle undercarriage and gull-wing doors and is built from aluminium.
Source: Flight International
