Fri, Oct 03, 2014
We See Another Affordable Airplane Company Struggling As The Economy Continues To Create Challenges For Light Aircraft Producers
Last week, AeroSports Update pondered on the subject of airplanes being too expensive. We concluded that airplanes actually are too expensive and probably always will be. We also pointed out that the cost is often driven by what the consumer wants, and if the consumer wants a simple low-cost airplane like those produced by Hawk Aircraft, LLC, it looks like we may be losing that option.
We found the following statement on the Hawk Aircraft website:
Effective October 1, 2014: Due to medical issues Hawk Aircraft will suspend operations indefinitely and the company is officially up for sale. Seriously interested parties should contact the owner via e-mail.
Hawk aircraft have been around for a long time to provide economical airplanes from ultralights up to 2-place sport planes. Starting out as CGS Hawk, the company was taken over about five years ago by Danny Dezauche and it became Hawk Aircraft, LLC. Dezauche’s plans were to support the previous products and keep new products coming, and for a time that’s just what he was doing.
ANN obtained an exclusive interview with Dezauche to get some details about what is going on regarding this great line of airplanes. He said suspending operations was not something he looked forward to doing but that it was necessary. He cited the combination of a poor economy leading to a reduction of business and the issues of health and family. We got the impression from the interview that producing these small planes is no lesser a job than producing the $100,000 planes that we think are overpriced.
Dezauche emphasized that suspending operations is not the same thing as locking the door and turning your back. He sincerely wants the Hawk line of aircraft to continue and is convinced there are people that could make it happen. He is actively working to come up with a buyer or buyers group that would take over the company to continue the Hawk legacy.
We at ANN wish Danny and his family all the best, and we’re looking forward to seeing the Hawk line of aircraft remain in production as an answer to reducing the cost of aircraft ownership.
(Image of Hawk Arrow S-LSA provided by Hawk Aircraft)
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