Aero-News has learned that SportairUSA LC, Sport Aircraft Works,
and Czech Aircraft Works have announced an agreement in which
SportairUSA will distribute the Parrot and SportCruiser certified
Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA) via the SportairUSA North
American dealer network.
Manufactured in Stare Mesto, Czech Republic by Czech Aircraft
Works (CZAW), both the SportCruiser and Parrot recently attained
SLSA certification status -- and are now looking for buyers in the
North American market.
"Consistent with our philosophy, we were seeking a means to
rapidly introduce these SLSAs to meet the immediate demand in North
America,” said CZAW CEO Chip Erwin.
While the company's original StingSport offering remains one of
the best selling SLSAs, the agreement also gives SportairUSA new
entries into two growing segments of the light-sport aircraft
market.
"Our portfolio required two vital planes which our customers
wanted -- a High Wing and a Trainer," said Bill Canino, President
of SportairUSA. "A huge dema
nd exists for a flight school optimized SLSA which the
SportCruiser squarely delivers."
"To minimize our time to market, we required an established
distributor that knows the sport aircraft market and possesses an
extensive dealer network," explained Danny Defelici, President of
Sport Aircraft Works. "We couldn’t expend 1-2 years
establishing a distribution network so the logical choice was to
team up with SportairUSA."
Citing CZAW and Sport Aircraft Works quality, manufacturing
capacity, experienced employee base and leadership, "we are excited
to represent the Parrot and SportCruiser in North America and look
forward to the opportunity,” stated Canino.
The Parrot and SportCruiser join the carbon fiber StingSport and
SeaRey amphibian in SportairUSA’s portfolio. TL Sport
Aircraft manufactures the StingSport less than 100 miles away from
CZAW in Hradic Kralóvé, Czech Republic.
"Our dealer network is ecstatic in having a portfolio comprised
of these highly sought after aircraft,” added
SportairUSA’s Sales Director Darrell Lynds. "The StingSport
(below), Parrot and SportCruiser are quite complimentary and
SportairUSA can position and market each to our customers’
benefit."
Czech Aircraft Works will continue to produce the Zenair line of
aircraft models: CH701SP STOL and CH601 Zodiac 601 Series aircraft
under a license agreement with Chris Heintz.