Sure, You Heard It FIRST From ANN, But There's More
After ANN broke the news of the sale of the
Lancair kit operation on Wednesday, the Lancair folks figured it
was time to make the official statement public... and here it
is:
Today [Thursday, January 30, 2003], founder and president, Lance
Neibauer announced the sale of his kit company to Joseph C.
Bartels, a Lancair IV-P customer.
Lance (right) began Neico Aviation and
subsequently, Lancair International beginning in 1985. The
companies have grown to a leadership position in the kit aircraft
industry and have pioneered the use of advanced composite
technologies in that market. According to Lance: "Over the past few
years I've been totally consumed with efforts at the completely
independent Lancair certified production company and have not been
able to give the kit company the attention it deserved."
"When Joe approached me with an offer to buy the kit company, I
began to consider the many benefits to the company and our staff
that such a sale could produce."
Joseph C. Bartels, an attorney from New Orleans, first became
involved with Lancair in December 1992 when he took delivery of a
Lancair IV-P kit. Since then he and a partner formed Aero Cool,
LLC, a company that provides air-conditioning units for the Lancair
IVs, now sold exclusively through Kit Components, Inc. Joe holds a
private pilot certificate with instrument rating as well as an A
& P rating. He has accumulated over 1400 flight hours, 325 of
which have been in Lancair
IVs. Over the last 5 years, Joe has played an increasingly active
role in the company by sponsoring a customer appreciation crawfish
boil at the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In.
"I strongly believe that Joe will bring tremendous
business expertise and enthusiasm to the company and help it grow
to the next higher level. My primary concern in this deal has
always been to do what would be best for the company and it's loyal
staff that have become so much like family", said
Neibauer.
Mr. Bartels has assured all that there will be no changes in
staff or any move from the Company's present location. He further
invites Lancair customers, past, present or prospective, to call
upon him with any recommendations they may have to make buying and
owning a Lancair a more enjoyable experience. Lance Neibauer will
remain a spokesman for the company and will also be readily
available for design and consulting efforts on any and all new
products that bear his name. "I have no shortage of ideas for the
kit company and it's future product line, now I can focus on just
that", said Lance.
Founded in 1984 by Lance Neibauer, Lancair has become one of the
most successful kit aircraft manufacturers in the world. The
company manufactures the fastest piston-driven aircraft in the
world, holds several world speed records, claimed the gold medal at
the 1998 and 1999 Reno Air Races and continues to accumulate
championships in most major cross-country air races. Lancair, Inc.,
Neico Aviation and Lancair International are not affiliated with
The Lancair Company.