Company Says It's Moving Fast Toward Formal Certification Tests

Quest Aircraft says its Kodiak successfully completed its 50th flight yesterday, just three months after the aircraft took its maiden flight. With 40 flight hours on the prototype Kodiak, the company is fast approaching the formal certification flight test program.

"Performance of the Kodiak in most areas has exceeded our projections," stated Tom Hamilton, Chief Technical Officer. "The aircraft has successfully flown at max gross weight as well as various CG scenarios, including extremes to red line (180 kts). Wing incidence, tail incidence and landing gear position are perfect."

"We are extremely pleased with the performance of the Kodiak in its early flight tests and systems operations," added Paul Schaller, President and CEO. "I anticipate that the slight modifications and adjustments we have been able to incorporate during the first 50 flights will lead us rapidly through the certification process with the FAA."

The Kodiak is scheduled for exterior painting later this month, prior to entering its FAA flight testing. The company plans to publicly debut the Kodiak at the Alaska Airmen's Trade Show in May 2005 with a formal announcement of the product and its performance capabilities.

"We are committed to bringing to market a utility aircraft that meets the highest performance standards," stated Schaller. "We know there are many situations and locations where the Kodiak will be an invaluable tool. Certainly the tragic situation around the Indian Ocean as a result of the recent tsunami is just one such example."

FMI: www.questaircraft.com