Skytruck Announces First Commercial Sales

Skytruck Company says it's made the first two commercial sales of its recently certified M28 Skytruck. Dave Jenkins, Skytruck�s Director of sales, says the initial orders are for four new aircraft by Air Guyane/Air Antilles Express operating within the Caribbean. The contracts also have options for an additional four aircraft to be delivered in 2006 to Air Guyane.

Jenkins also announced that Vieques Air Link of Puerto Rico has signed a contract for one Skytruck, with an option for a second aircraft.

"The versatility and value offered by the Skytruck continues to attract Twin-Otter operators throughout the islands and around the world that need a replacement aircraft which provides the true STOL performance, twin-engine safety, and low acquisition and operating costs of the Skytruck." Jenkins said.

The sales were handled through Skytruck France SARI, the authorized dealer for the French Overseas Territories. After returning from the recent two-week, 15-country M28 Skytruck sales tour of the Caribbean, Andre Hiebeler, Vice President of Skytruck France SARI said, "Christian Marchand, President of Air Guyane, was so impressed with the Skytruck�s demonstrated STOL performance that he placed the order for the aircraft on the spot."

Air Guyane has scheduled delivery of their Skytrucks to begin in June of 2005 and will put the aircraft into scheduled service immediately thereafter. The aircraft will be completed in a 19-place, multi-purpose configuration to accommodate the airline�s need to transport passengers and freight, as well as be able to be quickly reconfigured for Medevac operations. The aircraft will also be equipped with the latest Chelton 3-screen EFIS systems, integrated with TCAS II to be in compliance with JAR OPS 1. This will be the first Chelton application for commercial aircraft operations by Skytruck.

Vieques Air Link will take delivery of their first Skytruck in May of 2005. "The Skytruck is ideally suited for our inter-island operations," explained Captain Francisco Cruz, Director of Operations for Vieques Air Link. "It provides a rugged, reliable design with state-of-the-art systems that will allow us to provide comfort and safety to our passengers." Like the Air Guyane aircraft, Vieques Air Link has ordered its Skytrucks with Chelton displays and "highway-in-the-sky" capabilities.

With its pair of 1,100 horsepower Pratt & Whitney PT6-65B engines, the Skytruck can get 19 passengers or 5,070 pounds of cargo in and out of unimproved landing strips as short as 850 feet ­ making it ideal for operations throughout the Caribbean.

"Every operator that saw and flew the Skytruck came away really impressed," Jenkins said. "Dollar for dollar, there�s not another new aircraft that can match what it can do."

FMI: www.skytruck.us