Bigger than expected 10-15 aircraft order could pave way to licensed production deal
Australian aircraft manufacturer Dean Wilson Aviation has secured a 10-plus aircraft deal from an Indian flight training school for its Boomerang training aircraft as the Queensland-based company reveals it is close to gaining certification of the type.
Contracts for 10-15 aircraft were due to be signed last week, with the originally planned order increasing due to the recent announcement by the Indian government that flight-training schools would not be hit by new import taxes on new aircraft. The manufacturer is also discussing a licence production arrangement in India.
The Lycoming 0-235-powered Boomerang is a two-seat, all-metal utility category training aircraft with night visual flight rating and instrument flight rules capability. The aircraft has been designed as an affordable and robust replacement for ageing Cessna 152s and Piper PA38s, Dean Wilson Aviation says.
The aircraft, which flew at this year's Avalon Australian air show, is undergoing testing for Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority certification. The aircraft made its first flight in July 2006 and all the testing that remains ahead of certification is spins and noise testing, says vice-chairman Gary Dean. Deliveries will start a month after certification, with production of the first 10 aircraft well under way. All 10 are expected to be completed by the end of this year, he adds.
Launch customer for the aircraft is Minovation Flying School at Jandakot Airport, Perth, Western Australia, with further orders received from Sydney Flight Training Centre at Bankstown airport.
Source: Flight International
