Kit aircraft manufacturer Glasair Aviation LLC, of Arlington, Washington, has been purchased by China's Jilin Hanxing Group Co. Ltd. (JHG), Glasair and JHG Chairman Fang Tieji announced on Friday.
"This is not an intent to buy; it's done," Glasair Aviation spokesperson Kate Dougherty told AirVenture Today.
Glasair makes the Glasair, Glastar, and Sportsman lines of kit-built aircraft and has delivered about 3,000 airplane kits to builders around the world. The original Glasair model first flew in 1979, and Glasair Aviation was established in 2001 when Thomas Wathen bought the Glasair assets from bankrupt Stoddard-Hamilton Aircraft Inc.
JHG has established Glasair Aviation USA LLC as the new operating entity for Glasair's kit aircraft, and plans to invest substantially in Glasair's existing product line, starting with the goal of certifying a production version of the popular Sportsman design. Tieji also announced the intention of "substantially" growing Glasair Aviation USA by acquiring and consolidating additional airframe designs and aviation-related companies. Tieji plans to retain Glasair's U.S. headquarters, management team, and current employees.
Glasair Aviation founder Michael Via was unavailable for comment, but he and Tieji have scheduled a press conference for 9 a.m. Monday at AirVenture to discuss the transaction.
Source: AirVenture
"This is not an intent to buy; it's done," Glasair Aviation spokesperson Kate Dougherty told AirVenture Today.
Glasair makes the Glasair, Glastar, and Sportsman lines of kit-built aircraft and has delivered about 3,000 airplane kits to builders around the world. The original Glasair model first flew in 1979, and Glasair Aviation was established in 2001 when Thomas Wathen bought the Glasair assets from bankrupt Stoddard-Hamilton Aircraft Inc.
JHG has established Glasair Aviation USA LLC as the new operating entity for Glasair's kit aircraft, and plans to invest substantially in Glasair's existing product line, starting with the goal of certifying a production version of the popular Sportsman design. Tieji also announced the intention of "substantially" growing Glasair Aviation USA by acquiring and consolidating additional airframe designs and aviation-related companies. Tieji plans to retain Glasair's U.S. headquarters, management team, and current employees.
Glasair Aviation founder Michael Via was unavailable for comment, but he and Tieji have scheduled a press conference for 9 a.m. Monday at AirVenture to discuss the transaction.
Source: AirVenture
