And Flies An M-28 From The Factory To Florida

Skytruck Company, LLC. distributor for the now FAA-certified M28 Skytruck, has taken delivery of its brand new demonstration aircraft. Company President Lance Maclean flew the aircraft back from the factory in late January.

"The new Skytruck flew flawlessly during the entire trip through Europe and across the North Atlantic here to the United States," Maclean (below) stated. "During our stopover in Paris, we made a number of demonstration flights for European and African-based customers before flying here to the US. When we arrived, we also took time to show the aircraft to prospects located along the east coast on our way to our home base in Naples, [Florida].

"Ever since it arrived here in the US, we have been swamped with requests to fly the airplane. It's been so busy that we haven't been able to take it out of service to install the new Chelton EFIS yet," added Dave Jenkins, Skytruck's Director of Sales. "We're receiving a lot of interest from commercial operators in Central and South America, the Caribbean and various U.S. Government agencies whose operations require an aircraft with STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) capabilities.

"We've even had a surprising number of calls and visits by individuals who see the Skytruck as the perfect airplane for getting into and out of small private airstrips in the Caribbean and in Canada," he said.

"With its rugged construction, 1,100 horsepower Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65B turboprop engines, and the ability to haul 5,000 pounds of cargo or 19-passengers out of very short, unimproved runways, the M28 Skytruck is ideally suited to fill a number of roles for a variety of civil and military operators," Maclean added. "The Skytruck is the first FAA certified twin-engine utility aircraft available that will provide the combination of true STOL versatility with a state-of-the-art flight deck."

Right after arriving in the US, Maclean became the first non-FAA employee to earn an FAA Type Rating in the Skytruck. "Even with its amazing STOL capabilities, the Skytruck is an incredibly easy airplane to fly in all configurations," Maclean explained. "Receiving the first ever FAA Type Rating is the culmination of a lot of effort by a number of people. Now we can get down to the business of selling some airplanes."

Maclean also said that Skytruck Company has reached an agreement to lease part of a new 12,000 sq. ft. hangar/office facility that is being constructed at the Immokalee Airport, which is just east of Naples. "When it is completed, the new facility will initially house our spares inventory," he said. "Our next step will be to establish our customer training facility and delivery center there. The South Florida location will be perfect for servicing our customers in North and South America and the Caribbean."

FMI: www.skytruck.us