Dornier Seaplane Company News Release ************************* ORLANDO, FLORIDA - Since last year’s introduction at the National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA) annual neeting and convention, the Dornier Seaplane Company has continued to build
Dornier Seaplane Company
News Release
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ORLANDO, FLORIDA - Since last year’s introduction at the National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA) annual neeting and convention, the Dornier Seaplane Company has continued to build momentum in production, sales and product configuration definition.
The company announces that the final assembly site selection has been narrowed to St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, a southern suburb of Montreal, or North Bay, Ontario.
Winter flight operations will be based in Punta Gorda, Florida.
After an extensive analysis of numerous sites in North America and subject to final governmental reviews, Dornier selected these two cities based on:
- The availability of the local talent pool.
- Low cost of real estate and infrastructure.
- Strong local aviation supply chain, including Pratt & Whitney which produces the Seastar engines.
- Proximity of nearby lakes with their uncongested airspace for flight test activity.
The final site decision will be made in 90 days.
Conrado Dornier, chairman of the Dornier Seaplane Company, said: “I am very pleased that we will continue to build on the 100-year legacy of the Dornier family of aircraft in Canada. These sites are a natural market fit for our amphibious seaplane.”
Joe Walker, chief executive officer of the Dornier Seaplane Company, said: “Momentum in the company is building rapidly. In addition to finalizing the site selection, the company is in detailed discussions with our major suppliers. The supplier selection process will be completed over the next 12 months and deliveries will begin in 24 months.”
Furthermore, he continued: “We are gratified by the depth and breadth of market interest in the Dornier Seastar. Inquiries have been received from over 132 countries and our website is averaging over 125 hits per day. This world wide market demand has generated a backlog in excess of 25 Letters of Intent that we are currently maturing into firm contracts.”
The FAA- and EASA-certified demonstrator Seastar aircraft has been upgraded to a 10-seat luxury interior with a new exterior paint scheme.
It is on static display at the Orlando Executive Airport during this year’s NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention.
The Dornier Seaplane Company is owned by the family of Conrado Dornier, legacy to a three-generation family tradition in the innovative design, development and manufacture of aircraft and flying boats.
The Seastar, the world’s first all composite seaplane, is the brainchild of Conrado’s father, Claudius Dornier Jr, who was the long term chairman of the group of Dornier companies.
His vision was to restart amphibious aviation with a modern design all composite flying boat overcoming corrosion and lack of sea worthiness issues.
Claudius Dornier Jr. was the eldest son of aviation pioneer Claude Dornier, who, in the early 1900s, began working with Count Zeppelin and went on to found the original Dornier Metallbauten.
Over the lifespan of the Dornier companies, they produced over 100 designs for both the civil and military markets, and manufactured over 10,000 aircraft of which over 1,000 were seaplanes.
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