Anyone visiting AirVenture this week in Oshkosh will get a first-hand glimpse of the excitement coming out of the Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (CAM). Most obvious is the new face of the Company, with a new logo, corporate colors and show display, it’s obvious that more than just the name has changed.

The centerpiece of CAM’s exhibit is a semi-truck and trailer that opens up and out to create an interactive Columbia experience. The truck and trailer are also the central element of Columbia’s Fly Columbia Tour that is making its way around the United States this summer.

Full details on the Fly Columbia Tour as well as anything else Columbia-related can be found at the Company’s newly re-designed Web site, www.flycolumbia.com.

The site contains comprehensive details on all Columbia aircraft as well as information on purchasing an aircraft, financing options and tax advantages. CAM officials note that this is only version 1.0 of a site that will constantly evolve and grow.

“The bottom line is this is an exciting time at Columbia Aircraft,” said CAM Vice President of Marketing and Sales Randy S. Bolinger.

“We’re in the process of establishing Columbia as a worldwide brand. At the same time, we’re also setting production records nearly every month. We’re expanding our customer care programs and distribution channel. We’re doing all of the things necessary to provide our customers with the premium ownership experience.” -

A key element in that ownership experience equation is CAM’s recent creation of the Columbia Aircraft Repair & Maintenance Associates network, or CARMA. This growing network includes 70 top flight FBOs across the United States, many of which are affiliated with the AirBP FBO network, known for its aviation expertise and premium customer service. CAM has also initiated the Columbia Mobile Training Program that takes factory maintenance and service training to FBOs in the United States. Sessions, already underway, are scheduled to continue through the remainder of the year and into 2006.

To assist customers in buying their Columbia Aircraft, CAM also recently established Columbia Aircraft Finance. The new division is staffed with experienced aircraft financing professionals with access to a variety of funding sources and financing options. Because they are a division of CAM, Columbia Aircraft Finance can help save Columbia buyers money in the form of lower interest rates and flexible programs, and can also assist with the myriad of other details that often complicate financing an aircraft through a traditional bank or lending institution.

Farther from home, CAM has also added three new International Sales and Service Centers in the past three months and delivered its first aircraft to the UK, Australia and Mexico. “We’re in a rapid growth phase, but we’re managing that growth to maintain our hallmark high levels of quality and customer service,” Bolinger said.

“We’re getting a lot more aircraft into the field while simultaneously improving the experience for our customers. It’s a really exciting time to be a part of this organization.” 

Columbia Aircraft manufactures two certified aircraft models. The Columbia 350 is a normally aspirated, four-place aircraft with a cruise speed of 191 knots. The Columbia 400 is an intercooled twin-turbocharged, four-place aircraft certified to FL250 with a cruise speed of 235 knots. In addition to providing legendary performance, both models are renowned for their high level of standard equipment, quality and safety features, including dual electrical systems, dual wing spars, spin resistant/spin recovery features and Utility Category certification.

FMI: www.flycolumbia.com