12 December 2002
Lancair is preparing to go back into certified production now that it has secured new finance.
The company has put together a new deal with its current Malaysian backers, according to Aero News Network, and is now hiring staff in preparation for a production restart in January or February.
The factory, based in Oregon, has some 22 Columbia 300s close to completion and plans to finish them as quickly as possible for waiting customers. It is also about to complete certification on the all-electric, 190kt Columbia 350, while the turbocharged Columbia 400 is set for certification later this year.
Lancair expects to have to build 200 airplanes a year to be profitable.
Several offers were on the table last autumn for a majority stake in the company and some expected a US bid to succeed.
