Weeks Of Worries Culminate In Bad News

Rumors of serious trouble with the once-high-flying Europa kit aircraft operation in the UK have been confirmed at Oshkosh 2004. After a number of complaints from builders were reported to ANN; evidence accumulated that confirmed that a number of orders for parts and components have gone undelivered, calls are not being returned, and the UK company is now embroiled in legal difficulties that one Oshkosh display staffer and kit-builder termed "Bankruptcy" (or the UK equivalent).

Additional background information by Oshkosh personnel indicate that under UK Law, an administrator had been appointed, and would be overseeing the affairs of the struggling company.

Oshkosh customers added that a number of the purchasers who had been left with parts orders unfulfilled were contemplating legal action over their dillemma. The resulting atmosphere among builders/flyers is mixed. While most agree that the quality and history of the design holds too much merit to disappear altogether, there is great concern over whether those with paid orders pending will ever see their merchandise.

US officials of the Europa operation appear to be attempting to offer whatever information and support that they can,  while information and support from the UK has dwindled to wholly unsatisfactory levels... with particular criticism leveled at Europa's Keith Wilson.

ANN is awaiting return calls from Europa US and UK staffers. We'll have more to say when those conversations are completed.

FMI: www.europa-aircraft.com