Quicksilver Aeronautics Has New Management, New Directions

After 13 years of steady leadership from Carl von Hirsch and his team, Quicksilver Manufacturing has become Quicksilver Aeronautics, with new owners who say they plan to offer pilots fresh choices in familiar aircraft designs.

Will Escutia and Daniel Perez are co-owners of Quicksilver Aeronautics LLC and will continue to operate the business from Temecula, California. Escutia also runs a large business doing DVD production for the film industry. Perez is currently managing the manufacturing operation. Both Perez and Escutia have long and varied experience in production and marketing with many years of experience with the Eastman Kodak corporation.

“We are very pleased to present Quicksilver Aeronautics LLC as the new owner and operator of a company Americans and many other nationals have loyally supported for several decades,” said Will Escutia, president of Quicksilver Aeronautics. “We have some exciting plans underway and will be detailing these for the aviation media and potential customers as we continue reviewing and refining the operation of the company.” The company reports that it recently hired Streamline Design to evaluate its preparedness to introduce several models as Light-Sport Aircraft while continuing to offer kit aircraft.

“With more than 15,000 aircraft delivered, the majority of them kits, Quicksilver is one of the best-known and -established brands in all of aviation,” added operations chief Daniel Perez. Quicksilver’s open-cockpit MX series aircraft are widely recognized in countries around the planet and are viewed as one of the most affordable and dependable flying machines. Prices are remarkably affordable giving them broad appeal to pilots and non-pilots.

New plans include:

• Progress toward gaining FAA approval for several Quicksilver models as Light-Sport Aircraft
• New pricing structures to continue and broaden the appeal of these affordable aircraft
• Enhanced production and processes for all models
• Fresh review of engineering documentation and procedures
• Redesigned company literature, website, and company communications

U.S. and worldwide sales will be conducted under the guidance of Todd Ellefson, based in Rochester, Minnesota. Ellefson has very long experience with Quicksilver products and brings continuity during the ownership transition. He is the go-to person for dealer questions and support. Quicksilver Aeronautics has recently been hiring additional persons for production, engineering, and other activities.

FMI: www.QuicksilverAircraft.com