Alan Klapmeier Will Serve As CEO And Chairman

Following up on a story ANN broke late last week, Mr. Anthony Galley announced Friday the creation of a new airplane company, Kestrel Aircraft, to complete the certification and produce a new, single engine turboprop airplane. Kestrel Aircraft also marks the return of Alan Klapmeier as CEO and Chairman, and is joined by other seasoned professionals with broad aviation and business experience.

Kestrel Aircraft will base its operation at Brunswick Landing, Maine. "We will see the project through FAA and EASA certification, and manufacture the aircraft in Maine.” Klapmeier said, “I would like to thank Anthony Galley, Adrian Norris, and their team for their work in getting project to this point, and  look forward to continuing to work with them to bring the aircraft to market.”

Kestrel Vice Chairman Edward Underwood, former executive director of Arcapita, an Atlanta, GA, based equity firm, is excited about continuing to bring new technologies to the market place. “When we started reviewing various projects, there were a number of very interesting opportunities that presented themselves.” Underwood stated, “The commitment of the people of the State of Maine and the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority helped make this particular project compelling. The leverage brought by the economic development components will be a strong help in completing the financing.”

The Kestrel management team says its turboprop will carry more while flying further and faster, into and out of shorter runways. These benefits come from advanced aerodynamics and composite construction. The management team says it will position the new Kestrel to bridge the traditional gap between turboprops and substantially more expensive business jets.

Klapmeier calls the Kestrel, “an elegant solution for personal and business transportation that will redefine its class, while being economical and easy to operate.”

FMI: www.kestrel.aero