Diamond Aircraft Is In The Running
Just as OurPlane
recently closed on a $4-million US deal to buy 10 more Cirrus
SR22-G2 high-performance general aviation airplanes, its owner is
already looking toward adding light jets to his growing fleet of
aircraft. OurPlane Chief executive Graham Casson has hinted Diamond
Aircraft is in the running for that high-value order.
"We are discussing with major manufacturers orders for a new
light jet," Casson told the London Free Press. "We will be making a
commitment to buy this year, likely sooner rather than later. I am
very excited about the Diamond aircraft. If they can deliver on
their promises it will be a tremendous product."
John Gauch, vice-president sales and marketing for Diamond, is
confident it can deliver on those promises. The company's D-Jet is
undergoing preparation for its first rounds of test flights,
scheduled to begin later this year.
"We have had discussions with Graham and, hopefully, look
forward to doing business with him," Gauch said. "We know we can
deliver, but we have to prove it to the world. With these light
jets coming in, it is proof of the common-sense revolution now
going on for business pilots. They can get a new, advanced airplane
for a fraction of the price. It makes business travel
economical."
While Diamond seems to be on the top of OurPlane's list, the
fractional operator is also reviewing the line of Cessna and
Eclipse jets and expects an announcement within two months.
For now, Casson and his team will concentrate on positioning the
recently acquired group of Cirrus SR22 G2s, which will be sent to
nine locations, including Houston, which opened in January, and
Dallas which opens next month. OurPlane has 11 offices across North
America, including Toronto, Brampton, Calgary, Vancouver, New York,
California, Texas and Connecticut. After this order, it will have
25 aircraft for its 100 customers.
“OurPLANE’s growth has been outstanding, this is our
first of many large aircraft orders”, says Chuck Lerman, Vice
President Sales. “The Cirrus aircraft are in high demand with
customers looking for the great new comfort and luxury of the new
glass panel avionics. All our fractional owners are proof positive
that OurPLANE fractional ownership works well”.
OurPlane, which has 10 full-time staff with Casson working out
of his London home office, posted sales growth of about 150 percent
over 2002. That same year, the company was ranked 16th on Profit
Magazine's list of 50 fastest-growing companies in Canada, posting
sales of $1.2 million over 2001.