27 February 2008
One of the big news stories to break at Heli-Expo, which has just finished in Houston, Texas, was that MD Helicopters is considering buying a VLJ manufacturer.
Lynn Tilton, chief executive of the helicopter manufacturer told reporters that she is negotiating with a VLJ manufacturer. Possible candidates include Adam – which recently <a href=’http://www.flyer.co.uk/news/newsfeed.php?artnum=696′ target=’_blank’>suspended its operations</a> – and ATG, whose two-seat, twin military style Javelin jet has been rumoured to be struggling for some time.
The news is linked to the fact that MD Helicopters is looking for a new location for its operation. At the moment, the factory is in Mesa, Arizona, but potential sites in Florida, Oklahoma, Texas and an alternative Arizona site are being considered. The key is that any new home will have sufficient space for the helicopter side of the business, as well as any new VLJ business.
In addition, Tilton said that she is currently talking to a ‘composites maker in Italy’ with a view to buying that business, too.
