JANUARY 2010
Finch Aircraft to soon manufacture Robin 400 in Dijon-Darois
An agreement has been signed this week between Finch Aircraft and CEAPR which it is hoped will lead to the revival at Dijon-Darois of the Robin 400 range of light aircraft and possibly much more.
Finch Aircraft is a new company owned by Philippe Le Corre with the long term objective of creating at Dijon-Darois a vibrant centre for French light aircraft manufacture. Philippe Le Corre has a long history of both aerospace and IT and has directed many aeronautical projects. He was at Dassault in the 80s and 90s, was formerly a flight test engineer and is himself a pilot.
The project for Dijon-Darois by Finch Aircraft is to utilise the existing facilities and expertise to:
As a first step, commence production of light aircraft, using existing Type Certificates.
Negotiate a cooperation agreement with CEAPR to rent part of the existing workshops for the purpose.
Apply to EASA for a POA for Finch Aircraft which will allow re-start production of the Robin 400 range.
Meanwhile CEAPR will continue to support Robin aircraft (spares, continued airworthiness, maintenance, repairs) under its own POA and Part M.
The existing distributors of Robin aircraft will be retained to act for the new company.
In addition to CEAPR, Finch Aircraft plans to negotiate economically sized manufacturing agreements with i.e. Socata, Dyn’Aero, Moniot and others, to be based in Dijon-Darois.
Develop new designs in the category of ELA European standards for manufacture at Dijon-Darois.
Philippe Le Corre is a close acquaintance of Philippe Corne, President of CEAPR and recognises the potential of the know-how and infrastructure arising from 50 years of light aircraft manufacture at Dijon-Darois . In addition to the Robin 400 range, a production level at between 100 and 200 in the ELA category is envisaged, assuring the necessary economies of production. It is hoped to take advantage of regional development grants.
The agreement between Finch Aircraft and CEAPR represents the first, and indeed major, step for this project. Discussions with other companies are in progress.
Boulogne, January 20th 2010
Philippe Le Corre Finch Aircraft
finch.lecorre@free.fr
+33 6 75 04 90 75
7, rue Anna JACQUIN
F-92100 - BOULOGNE
DECEMBER 2009
The factory in NZ is now expected to restart production in Jan 2010 and we can discuss orders for
the ALPHA 120T basic trainer and ALPHA 160A aerobatic trainer.
NOVEMBER 2009
A full spares service has now been available from CEAPR for several months and a dedicated team at Darois is striving to improve its service to better than it was previously. In addition CEAPR has now been granted Part M status by EASA , and can therefore now undertake a full repairs & maintenance service to Robin aircraft.
As well as the 400 series it continues to be policy to fully support other types such as the metal HR 100 , R 1180 , R 3000 series.
Generally Robin owners can be confident that the value of their aircraft is maintained , and whatever questions there were last year about the future of the Robin have been dispelled.
SEPTEMBER 2009
A new ALPHA 160A has become available for immediate sale ex NZ, Contact us for
details, spec, price which will be considerably below list price. This is an exceptional opportunity to acquire one of the 2 seat aerobatic
aircraft, with a very good avionics spec.
