Quest Aircraft Co. has signed an agreement with SkyView Aircraft (Jiangsu) Industry Co. to represent Quest as the exclusive dealer for the Kodiak turboprop utility aircraft in China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. The contract also outlines plans for limited assembly and eventual manufacturing of Kodiaks in China.
“We are very excited about our partnership with SkyView,” said Sam Hill, president and CEO of Quest. “There is tremendous market potential in China, especially for a versatile [short takeoff and landing] aircraft like the Kodiak. This agreement gives us the opportunity to not only increase our presence in China, but contribute to the growth of their general aviation industry.”
“For the first two to three years of our agreement, SkyView will take delivery of Kodiaks from our factory in Sandpoint [Idaho],” said Steve Zinda, vice president of sales and marketing. “During the next phase, they will be buying partially-assembled aircraft kits which will undergo final assembly at their facility and by 2019, the agreement calls for SkyView to fully manufacture the Kodiaks they sell.”
In addition to their initial sales responsibilities, SkyView will also manage the Kodiak Authorized Service Center in China. Quest will begin deliveries of the Kodiak to SkyView customers in late 2014, with a minimum of 10 aircraft expected to be delivered to in 2014 and 2015.
The Kodiak received certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China in July 2013. There are currently five Kodiaks in operation in China. The Kodiak is certified in 17 countries, with several additional certifications imminent. The current backlog for the Kodiak is approximately $600 million.
