Company Plans To Manufacture 68 Aircraft In First Year
Quartz Mountain Aerospace, Inc., based in Altus, OK showcased
the FAA Type-Certified model of a $200,000, four-seat, high-winged
Model 11E single-engine airplane Monday at the Wiley Post Airport
in Oklahoma City.
Formerly known as Luscombe Aircraft Corp., the company says the
Model 11E -- which will be used primarily as a trainer -- is an
adaptation of the Luscombe Model 11A Sedan, introduced in 1946. The
new model is distinguished by superior in-flight and landing
stability over the tailwheel-equipped Sedan.
Quartz Mountain Aerospace says it already has commitments for
its first few years of planned production of the Model 11E.
It is planning to produce about 68 aircraft during the 12 months
beginning in September, ramping up to 250 aircraft, or about $50
million in sales for the 12 months starting in September 2007, and
300 aircraft and sales of $60 million during the following 12
months... but the company will need money to do it.
"Our ability to start manufacturing and to amass the financial
resources we need to ramp up production over the next few years has
and will continue to require substantial financial resources," said
John S. Daniel, Quartz Mountain's president and chief operating
officer.
The company has received help from the the Oklahoma Department
of Career and Technology Education, or "Career Tech." It is a
state-funded agency that provides employment training, among other
objectives. Through its Southwest Technology Center (SWTC) in
Altus, they are providing specialized and customized training for
those in the Southwest Oklahoma.
SWTC is collaborating
with Quartz Mountain Aerospace (QMA) to customize curricula for the
various trades associated with the Model 11E. SWTC's first class of
trained students are now employed at QMA. They have a second class
scheduled for graduation in May of 2006. For convenience and
hands-on instruction, the SWTC school is conducted in a facility
adjacent to the QMA manufacturing facility.
"As those in the aircraft industry know," Daniel added, "getting
a new plane certified is a major feat. The confidence and support
of Oklahoma has gotten us this far, and we expect to repay this
support with a boost to the rural areas of the state by adding jobs
and stimulating their economy."
"Based on present sales commitments," said Daniel, "we are
anticipating a 20% annual sales growth after our second year of
production, so that by year four of production, beginning September
2009, we would be manufacturing up 360 aircraft in a 12-month
period, which translates into approximately $72 million in
sales."
Daniel said that Quartz Mountain Aerospace has purchase
commitments from Global Aviation Partners, which represents more
than 100 flight schools throughout the country.
FMI: www.qmaero.com (Site
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