Columbia Sets Sales Records... Again

Columbia Aircraft announced late Thursday that it delivered 63 aircraft in the third quarter of 2006, pushing their year to date delivery number to 130, 16 more than the company delivered in all of 2005.

“We’ve made tremendous strides in production this year, despite some unexpected challenges that have kept us from realizing our ultimate delivery goals,” said Columbia President Bing Lantis.

“Delays certifying the Garmin G1000 panel in Q1 and the hail storm in Q2 that forced refinishing of 66 aircraft awaiting delivery reduced our total year to date numbers, however we’re still well ahead of last year’s pace by a wide margin.”

Though Columbia Aircraft doesn’t publish sales numbers, Lantis reports that order intake in 2006 remains strong and that order backlog is comfortable.

Columbia manufactures a variety of all-composite aircraft including the world’s fastest certified piston single – the Columbia 400. The Columbia 350, 350i, 350SL and 350SLX are normally-aspirated, four-place aircraft with a cruise speed of 191 knots.

The Columbia 400, 400i, 400SL and 400SLX are intercooled, twin-turbocharged, four-place aircraft certified to FL250 with a cruise speed of 235 knots. Both models feature dual electrical systems, dual wing spars and Utility Category certification.

FMI: www.flycolumbia.com