Alpha Aviation

Alpha Aviation is an aircraft manufacturing company based in Hamilton, New Zealand. It manufactures the Alpha 2000 range of light aircraft. The company was founded by Richard Izard to purchase the rights to Apex Aviation's Alpha R2000 aircraft, originally manufactured by Avions Robin. Izard felt, it is reported, that this existing aircraft design could be substantially improved by the application of advanced production techniques and quality control. The aircraft is now being marketed as the 120T and 160A variants by Alpha (as well as the 160Ai, a 160A with a fuel-injected engine.)

The first aircraft manufactured (ZK-FXY) had its initial flight on April 12, 2006. The first production Alpha 160A aircraft (ZK-WKF and -WJH) entered service with Waikato Aero Club, based just across the road from Alpha at Hamilton Airport, in September/October 2006. Alpha is currently in the process of expanding its production facilities in Hamilton, with an extension to the hangar being put in place as of November 2006.

Liquidation

On January 23, 2008, Inventis Limited (Alpha Aviations parent company) applied for some companies in the Alpha Aviation group to be placed in voluntary liquidation. They were placed in receivership by their bank later that day. It is rumored that attempts are being made to resume manufacturing again in the near future.

External links

* [http://www.alphaaviation.co.nz/ Alpha Aviation website]