Bankruptcy Assets Bought By Well-Known Sportplane Biz
After the untimely demise and bankruptcy of the much lauded
Skystar/Kitfox operation, there was great anticipation as to who
might wind up attempting to restore the luster to a legacy that has
spanned much of recent sport aviation history. As of a short while
ago, we finally have an answer... and it looks like a positive
one.
The assets of Skystar were purchased from the bankruptcy trustee
by Sport Plane LLC owners John and Deb McBean... hardly strangers
to the Kitfox line. John was a former Kitfox staffer, demo pilot
and company evangelist and has been heavily involved in the design
since leaving the company.
Currently the proprietors of Sport Plane LLC, John & Debra
McBean opened that business in February 2004, offering a
primary focus on the Kitfox family and developing a solid rep in
the process. They specialized in Builder Assistance, Sales, Service
and Aftermarket parts for Sport Aircraft.
John says that he's been involved in aviation most of his life.
As a former Demo Pilot, as well as a Sales, and Technical Support
staffer for SkyStar Aircraft, he has an extensive knowledge of the
build process, characteristics of the Kitfox and a strong
background in aviation. He is a current Flight Instructor and holds
a Commercial certificate with Multi-engine, Seaplane and Instrument
ratings and has logged quite a few hours in the Kitfox
Aircraft.
Debra has a background in business management, with over 20
years in the Auto Finance industry, and also put in time for
Skystar Aircraft providing Airshow support and Sales assistance.
Debra has also quite a few hours in a Kitfox as a private
pilot.
For the moment, John notes that this first order of business is
to provide parts and support to existing owners of Kitfoxes and
make up for the issues that the previous company left a number of
builders and owners. While this is a separate company that is not
responsible for the losses that occurred to purchasers who did
business with SkyStar, the McBeans promise that they're going to do
what they can to get builders back on track and to support the
aircraft that are now in the air. John says future production plans
are now under consideration and as soon as he has a grasp on parts
and support for the current owners, new aircraft production will be
pursued -- promising that (at least) both the Model IV and Series 7
have a bright future.
ANN has a full interview planned with the McBeans as soon as
(some of) the dust settles within the next week or so.