Company Says They'll Be The First Of Many

One week after the unveiling of iFly -- a "pilots club" offering managed access to a fleet of Columbia 350s, for about half the cost and responsibility of traditional sole ownership -- Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation has delivered the first six Columbia 350 aircraft to the Southern California enterprise.

Co-founded by Erik Lindbergh, and based in Long Beach, CA, iFly will operate a fleet of identically equipped Columbia 350s.

The Columbia 350 was selected over the field of other piston-single aircraft as being the best platform for a variety of users, and for its ruggedness. iFly members will have wide-ranging individual needs that the Columbia 350 is uniquely suited to accommodate -– mission flexibility to go 1,300 NM or the ability to maximize the 1,100 pound useful load. Furthermore, unique design elements and premium product support, such as line replaceable major avionics components, heavy duty brakes, dual batteries and more, ensure maximum dispatch rate for both iFly and it members.

iFly officials wouldn't reveal the exact number of 350s ordered -- but did say it greatly exceeds six planes.

"We’re launching iFly in Southern California with aircraft based at six airports initially," Lindbergh said. "We have aggressive expansion plans and anticipate rapidly adding to our fleet and the number of airports we serve. We expect iFly to be national within the next several years."

"Columbia has a longstanding relationship with Erik Lindbergh and we’re proud to be an integral part of his new venture," said Randy S. Bolinger, Vice President of Marketing & Business Development for Columbia Aircraft. "We’re impressed with their approach and believe that programs such as iFly’s are vitally important to the health of general aviation. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with iFly."

iFly memberships are currently available at six Southern California airports, with other bases to be added soon.

FMI: www.iflysmarter.com, www.flycolumbia.com