350 Knot Kestrel To Be Built In Maine
It's nice to finally be able to report two major pieces of
news we've been working on, on background,for sometime now... a new
life for the highly respected Kestrel Turboprop program... and the
return of Alan Klapmeier to the leadership of an innovative general
aviation design and manufacturing program.
Both Maine Governor John E. Baldacci
and Kestrel Aircraft Company (KAC) have confirmed to ANN, the
selection of Brunswick Landing, at the soon to be decommissioned
Naval Air Station Brunswick (NASB), as their home to develop,
certify and manufacture their class-defining, state-of-the-art,
composite turboprop aircraft, the Kestrel.
The Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority (MRRA) and the
Kestrel Aircraft Company have entered into a lease option for
Hanger # 6, a 170,000 square foot, state of the art aviation
maintenance facility that was constructed in 2004. The Kestrel
venture at Brunswick Landing will involve an investment of over
$100 million and is expected to create over 300 high paying jobs
once the company is in full production. Kestrel development,
certification, and initial production are scheduled to begin this
fall.
Governor John E. Baldacci commented, "The decision of Kestrel
Aircraft Company to locate their base of operations at Brunswick
Landing is a testament to the diversely talented and sophisticated
workforce here in Maine. The international appeal and worldwide
demand we foresee for the Kestrel airplane will benefit jobs
throughout the state, boost Maine's economic competitiveness, and
showcase Maine's world class innovation economy".
Kestrel Aircraft is a new company formed to complete the FAA
certification and produce the Kestrel. The company will be led by
CEO and Chairman Alan Klapmeier and other seasoned professionals
with broad aviation and business experience.
Mr. Klapmeier has a rich and distinguished background in
aviation. In 1984, he founded Cirrus Design and until recently, led
the company which manufactured the largest selling piston aircraft
in the world. He resigned from the company in 2009 to pursue other
aircraft development ventures.
Brunswick Landing was selected over several locations in other
states due to its excellent turn-key facilities, the skills of the
regional workforce, the capacity and craftsmanship of the
composites industry in Maine, and the willingness of MRRA, state
agencies, and others to foster the growth of this company in
Maine.
Steve Levesque, MRRA's executive director, said, "It's because
of companies like Kestrel Aircraft and its forward-thinking
directors that we call Brunswick Landing, Maine's Center for
Innovation. The composite skills that KAC will bring to the region
will complement the world class capacities of Maine's composite
technology cluster represented by the members of the Maine
Composite Alliance."
The Kestrel development team notes that the program represents
the application of advanced materials, advanced aerodynamic theory
and cutting-edge construction techniques to produce a striking
aircraft that redefines its class, yet is safe and easy to operate.
The Kestrel breaks new ground in aircraft performance, delivering a
maximum cruise speed higher than competing models, an impressively
short climb time to cruise altitude at maximum weight, and the
option to fly further, faster, while carrying more. No other
single-engine turboprop comes close in performance and
versatility.
KAC believes the Kestrel also sets new standards in cabin
dimensions and comfort for a six / seven seat aircraft. A range of
cabin configurations is available, all with a spacious, pressurized
luggage bay.
ANN and Aero-TV will be presenting a number of Kestrel-oriented
interviews and stories this week from the grounds of the 2010
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