Diesel Option, Focus On Opening Chinese Airspace Top Priorities
By Maxine Scheer
It was a year ago that Glasair Aviation, a general aviation kit aircraft manufacturer based in Arlington, WA, announced new ownership, China based Jilin Hanxing Group co., Ltd,. Glasair's new President Nigel Mott and Hanxing Chairman Fang (pictured) returned to AirVenture to provide an update on progress and new projects.
On the subject of establishing the market in China, Glasair has delivered two aircraft to Zhuhai Airport, located in Southeast China at what Mott describes as a Regional Airport. The challenges with opening China's airspace have not yet been resolved. Glasair is considering two options for aircraft certification, one in China and one the other U.S. "It's dependent on FAA's decision on Part 23,” said Mott, "We are still deciding on the most cost effective way to support a certified aircraft." Mott reports that the Arlington, Washington office is relatively the same in terms of employees as last year, and will continue to support the U.S. Glasair market anticipates production for the market in China will be based in China. "Hanxing's investment has stabilized the company," said Mott, "which helps since we are still a relatively small company, about 35 employees."
The first project introduced at Glasair's press conference was a recently completed education initiative. Eight high school students from Saline High School in Michigan, built a Sportsman through Glasair's "Two-Week to Taxi", an innovative accelerated aircraft building program established by former owner Tom Wathen and approved by FAA in 2008. Glasair teamed with GAMA and Build A Plane almost a year ago to start the initiative with a design competition, and supported the students through completion of the aircraft, test flown in Arlington, and parked at the GAMA exhibit here at AirVenture in Oshkosh.
GAMA President Pete Bunce spoke about Glasair's participation. "We want to see general aviation grow and flourish," said Bunce. "As long as companies like Glasair are involved in projects like Build A Plane, the more it will help GA." Bunce also stressed the importance of Mr. Fang's leadership and the opportunities for US companies associated with GA growth in China. "Our commitment as manufacturers is to help Mr. Fang open the airspace in China."
Another project introduced was the installation of a Delta Hawk diesel engine for a Glasair customer in Reno, Nevada. Delta Hawk's CEO Dennis Webb spoke about the project and was impressed with Glasair's engineering support. "The Sportsman is a phenomenal aircraft," said Webb, "a turbo-charged diesel engine will make it a global machine." Mott later noted Glasair's intent to offer the diesel option as part of the "Two Week to Taxi" program. Webb anticipates the aircraft will be flight tested in 6 to 8 weeks.
Glasair will be giving a presentation this week in AirVenture on the progress of the diesel installation and the custom design of cowls Glasair engineers are working on to optimize aircraft performance.
Matt invited AirVenture attendees to visit the Glasair exhibit where there are two good examples of customized features on Glasair aircraft, such as Tray Johnson's PD-2 roadable kit (below), Plane Driven, on a Glasair Sportsman, and a life-long project recently completed by former Glasair founder Ted Setzer.
It was estimated last year that Glasair Aviation has approximately 3,000 planes, being built and/or flown all over the world.
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