First Full Airframe Produced In Country Since The '60s

Could this be the beginning of a trend in sport plane manufacturing? For the first time in 40+ years, a Mexican company is making airplanes.

Gannett News reports AviPro Aircraft -- based in Atlixco, Mexico -- is making a homebuilt kit now being marketed in the US by AviPro's office in Phoenix. The company has 18 workers -- and, so far, has sold 73 kits for its Bearhawk (above).

Could this be the start of a trend in aviation? Gannett reports Cessna, Bombardier and Honeywell are all basing component plants in Mexico, to take advantage of cheaper labor... following in the path of several non-aviation companies.

Avipro, however, is the first company to manufacture an entire airframe in Mexico in over 40 years -- since Lockheed built its LASA-60 in San Luis Potosi in the 1960s.

"People I talk to can't believe we're making real airplanes, right here in Atlixco," said plant worker Alfredo Ramirez. "You feel proud knowing something you built is actually flying around in the United States."

The AviPro Bearhawk is the first aircraft kit completely made in Mexico... and if workers in that country have their way, it certainly won't be the last.

FMI: www.bearhawkaircraft.com