Thu, Jul 29, 2010
As we noted in our breaking news coverage late last week, it's
nice to finally be able to report two major pieces of news... a new
life for the highly respected Kestrel Turboprop program... and the
return of Alan Klapmeier to the leadership of an innovative general
aviation design and manufacturing program.
Both Maine Governor John E. Baldacci and Kestrel Aircraft
Company (KAC) have confirmed to ANN, the selection of Brunswick
Landing, at the soon to be decommissioned Naval Air Station
Brunswick (NASB), as their home to develop, certify and manufacture
their class-defining, state-of-the-art, composite turboprop
aircraft, the Kestrel.
Kestrel Aircraft is a new company formed to complete the FAA
certification and produce the Kestrel. The company will be led by
CEO and Chairman Alan Klapmeier and other seasoned professionals
with broad aviation and business experience. Alan has a rich and
distinguished background in aviation. In 1984, he founded Cirrus
Design and until recently, led the company which manufactured the
largest selling piston aircraft in the world. He resigned from the
company in 2009 to pursue other aircraft development ventures.
The Kestrel development team notes that the program represents
the application of advanced materials, advanced aerodynamic theory
and cutting-edge construction techniques to produce a striking
aircraft that redefines its class, yet is safe and easy to
operate.
The Kestrel breaks new ground in aircraft performance,
delivering a maximum cruise speed higher than competing models, an
impressively short climb time to cruise altitude at maximum weight,
and the option to fly further, faster, while carrying more. No
other single-engine turboprop comes close in performance and
versatility.
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