2005 was a record-breaking year for Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (CAM). The company told ANN that 2005 deliveries of its 350 and 400 aircraft were up 68% over 2004.

“Columbia hit its stride in 2005,” said CAM Vice President of Marketing and Sales Randy S. Bolinger.

“The facility expansion and production ramp up was completed, deliveries were very strong, new products were introduced and sales demand was excellent. In the future, I think we’ll look back on 2005 as a turning point for Columbia.”

For the year ending December 31st, CAM delivered 115 new aircraft, up from 78 in 2004. “Although Q4 deliveries were limited to 15 aircraft as the result of certification delays on a major aircraft upgrade, Columbia Aircraft continues to manufacture aircraft at the rate of one per day and will post record delivery and revenue figures in 2006,” Bolinger said.

“Much of the 2005 growth can be attributed to an expanded product line and international growth. We now have sales centers in Mexico, Brazil, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Malaysia and Australia.”

Columbia Aircraft manufactures a variety of all-composite aircraft including the world’s fastest certified piston aircraft – 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.

FMI: www.flycolumbia.com