26 Sep 2019 13:36
(UTC)
Manufacturer
New Sonaca Aircraft new assembly site unveiled
Congratulations Sonaca Aircraft! New assembly like, offices and a showroom at the Namur aerodrome are open!
The infrastructure includes a 2000 m² assembly hall, offices as well as a showroom. The aerodrome’s two parallel runways[1] favor movements and allow for testing and take-offs all year long.
Production of the Sonaca 200 has taken off
The start of the activity on the Namur site has marked a decisive turning point in Sonaca 200 production and deliveries. "Thanks to this new infrastructure, we can simultaneously assemble 8 aircraft and produce around 60 aircraft per year or even up to 80 aircraft per year in the event of peak periods," said Harold Van der Straten, Sonaca Aircraft CEO.
International Clients
Regarding the sales of the aircraft, they now come to over 60 aircraft "the current order book has secured the production for the next 12 months" added Pierre Van Wetter, Sonaca Aircraft Chief Commercial Officer.
Resolutely focused on international expansion, Sonaca Aircraft has earned the trust of clients in Europe and beyond. "Most of our clients are located abroad (Germany, Estonia, France, Great Britain, Turkey…). They are mainly flight schools and flying clubs looking for capable and reliable two-seaters to complete or even replace a fleet of aging aircraft," said Pierre Van Wetter.
New developments in progress
Sonaca Aircraft has always made it a point of honor to meet market requirements. In this same logic, the manufacturer has developed renting and leasing solutions in order to provide a service rather than a product. "From the outset, clients have expressed an interest for these kinds of solutions. They avoid schools and flying clubs from having to finance the purchase of the aircraft and handling the resale. Leasing also allows clients to adapt the capacity on demand and thereby face certain peaks of activity without having to invest in new aircraft" explained Harold Van der Straten.
The manufacturer is also planning to develop an IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) version and an "Upset Prevention and Recovery Training" (UPRT) utility version.
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Important to know about Sonaca Aircraft
· Sonaca Aircraft is a subsidiary of the Sonaca Group; the company is 90% owned by the OEM. · Year of creation: 2015. · Activity: production and marketing of a two-seater plane ("Sonaca 200") intended for pilot training and recreational flights. · Certification: The Sonaca 200 is EASA certified in the CS-VLA airworthiness category. · Clients: flying schools, flying clubs and private pilots. · The Sonaca 200 is available in 2 versions: Sonaca 200 Trainer (analog version) & Sonaca 200 Trainer Pro (glass cockpit version). · Price of the Sonaca 200 Trainer: 182,500 euros taxes not included · Price of the Sonaca 200 Trainer Pro: 213,500 euros taxes not included · Total number of orders (figure established on 20/09/2019): over 60 aircraft. · Production capacity of the new hall: 60 to 80 aircraft per year.
· Number of employees (figure established on 20/9/2019): 35 direct jobs (Namur site). · CEO: Harold van der Straten. · Website: www.sonaca-aircraft.com
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Photos © Sonaca Aircraft.
Sonaca Aircraft is a subsidiary of the Sonaca Group, a major stakeholder for over 80 years in the development, manufacture and assembly of advanced aeronautical structures for the civil, military and space markets. Sonaca Aircraft is 90% owned by the OEM. Sonaca Aircraft’s first objective is the development, certification and marketing of a single-engine two-seater plane ("Sonaca 200") which has been specially designed and adapted for training and recreational flights. The Sonaca 200 stands out thanks to its robust structure, which is entirely made of metal, its excellent handling in flight, its high payload mass, and its very low operating cost due to the expertise of a worldwide aviation group. www.sonaca-aircraft.com
[1] The two parallel runways: 24G/06D in asphalt with a length of 690 meters and 24D/06g in grass.