CZECH AIRCRAFT manufacturer Aero Vodochody is to begin manufacturing sub-assemblies for the de Havilland Dash 8 regional turboprop, according to Aero technical director Adam Stranak.
The company has signed a deal with de Havilland, following negotiations begun late in 1994, and is to begin manufacturing elements of the Dash 8's tail section, including some composite components, according to Stranak.
First deliveries of the sub-assemblies to de Havilland are scheduled to take place at the beginning of 1996.
Aero declines to reveal the value of the contract, but is already in negotiations with de Havilland majority shareholder Bombardier on a possible extension of the co-operation.
The co-operation could be extended to include Czech regional-turboprop manufacturer Let Kunovice, say sources at Let, but, according to Stranak, this will "...depend on how successful we are in the manufacture of the first sub-assemblies".
Source: Flight International
