Quest Aircraft looks set to expand its share of the lucrative Chinese business and utility aircraft markets through the appointment of a start-up dealership and distributor for its Kodiak single-engined turboprop.
SkyView Aircraft (Jiangsu) Industry will sell the 10-seat aircraft in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, and plans to establish a final assembly line for the high-wing Kodiak once it has built up a sizeable orderbook.
“There is tremendous market potential in China,” says Quest’s senior vice-president Steve Zinda. “We received Chinese certification for the Kodiak a year ago and have since delivered five aircraft. We plan to hand over another four Kodiaks before the end of the year, and another five in 2015.”
These aircraft were sold by Quest’s former Chinese distributor, Blue Eagle, whose decision to move out of the business aviation market led to the appointment of SkyView. The company is owned by Chinese aerial mapping firm EV Image, which appointed Blue Eagle’s former chief executive to spearhead the new business, Zinda explains.
“Business and general aviation are growth sectors in China,” Zinda says. “We expect this region to overtake Latin America within three years as our largest market outside North America. Demand is already coming from a range of operators, from air ambulance to VIP charter.”
SkyView is planning to set up a final assembly line for thePratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34-poweredKodiak as demand increases. “I’m not sure what size the backlog will be before SkyView decides to invest in an assembly facility. Around 20 aircraft a year would make it viable,” Zinda says.
In the meantime, Quest will build and ship Chinese-owned Kodiaks from its US headquarters in Sandpoint, Idaho.
Source: Flight International
