CHONGQING, China, 28 Dec. 2012. Pilatus Aircraft Co. Ltd., an aircraft manufacturer in Switzerland, opened its headquarters in China on 18 Dec. 2012.
The new facility serves as the company’s production and service base and delivery center in Chongqing Liangjiang New Area.
According to the agreement, this project includes a total investment of $400 million; the establishment of a company engaged in production, general assembly, and maintenance of general aircraft; and the relocation of PC-12 production lines for the Asia-Pacific Region and PC-6 production lines from Switzerland to Chongqing.
The first two PC-6 airplanes produced on opening day were provided to the General Administration of Sports of China as training planes. Xinjiang General Aviation Co. Ltd., Yunnan Ruifeng Group, and Minsheng Financial Leasing Co. Ltd. ordered more than 20 aircraft.
An annual production capacity of 150 PC-6 and PC-12 airplanes will be formed after the completion of the whole project.
"China only has around 1,154 airplanes in service at present, with less than 0.4 percent of that in America. In 2015, China will completely relax the control of aircrafts at low altitude so that the demand will greatly increase," Chongqing mayor Huang Qifan says.
Chongqing has technology advantages in aluminum fabrication and production of general motor, transmission gear, and gear case, according to the company.
"The company is optimistic about Liangjiang New Area's status and function in mainland China and the massive Chinese market. Pilatus will build the industrial line of general aviation in Chongqing for aircraft production and conduct training," says a company official.
Courtney E. Howard | Chief Editor, Intelligent Aerospace
Courtney enjoys writing about all things high-tech in PennWell’s burgeoning Aerospace and Defense Group, which encompasses Intelligent Aerospace and Military & Aerospace Electronics. She’s also a self-proclaimed social-media maven, mil-aero nerd, and avid avionics and space geek. Connect with Courtney at [email protected], @coho on Twitter, on LinkedIn, and on Google+.
