Press Release
Issued by Green Charter 2022.
May 21, 2007
Grob Aerospace is establishing a US entity to provide a complete, world-class ownership experience to North American customers of its all-new composite light business jet, the spn, the company announced today, May 21. The move reflects the fact that approximately half the spn customer base to date, as well as three-quarters of the world's business aircraft fleet, is US-based.
Maintenance, spare parts, warranty, sales, marketing, aircraft demonstration, and eventually, completion design specification, will all be handled by Grob Aerospace Inc. The company's new headquarters in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, are due to be fully operational in the Fall of 2007 and will eventually be home to the company's dedicated US-based demonstrator aircraft.
Leading the development efforts of Grob Aerospace Inc is Claude Chidiac, an 18-year veteran of the business aircraft industry who has held senior positions managing the Bombardier Aerospace product line.
"The creation of Grob Aerospace Inc demonstrates the company's total commitment to providing a comprehensive, best-in-class customer experience," said Claude Chidiac. When it comes to maintenance, Grob Aerospace Inc will provide in-service support to spn customers in conjunction with selected service partners such as Stevens Aviation and Landmark Aviation, as announced at the NBAA Show last fall.
"The spn is a unique business jet in many ways, thanks to its large comfortable cabin, its single pilot capability and its best-in-class airfield performance which includes access to unpaved runways. The spn is ideally suited to the North American market, with an impressive 1,800 nautical mile range (NBAA IFR) with six passengers, providing half-way-across-the-country capability," said Claude Chidiac. "It is the luxury SUV of light business jets. North American customers are attracted by its ruggedness, combined with high quality luxury interior, designed by the Porsche Design Studio," he added.
Grob Aerospace also announces the appointment of two Sales Directors. Customers in the western USA will be served by Joshua A. (Josh) Kovak, a former regional Sales Director of single-engine aircraft, with prior experience selling high-end turboprops. Kovac believes that the spn is a very attractive aircraft to turboprop operators who would like the speed, altitude and comfort of a jet, but don't want to give up small airfield access. Kovak was previously a US Marine F/A-18 pilot.
Customers in the north eastern USA will be catered to by H. L. "Skip" Hockman II, who is a veteran of aviation and has an impressive entrepreneurial track record in developing new aviation businesses. Skip played a founding role in the development of the fractional ownership side of the industry. Prior to joining Grob Aerospace Inc, his most recent positions were as Director of Sales for on-demand business aircraft and aircraft management.
Portsmouth, NH provides Grob Aerospace Inc with an opportunity to develop and grow the business while being close to both the European operations and the US and Canadian customers. Located at the Pease International Tradeport, a diverse high-tech, bio tech, manufacturing and R&D international business community, it benefits from highly skilled professionals from three states, including nearby Boston. The airport (PSM) supports both public and private aviation with a complete customs service on-site. The airport's 11,321 feet (over 2 miles) runway is one of the longest on the eastern seaboard and in addition to the airport's 150 acres of apron; it offers an air traffic control tower that operates
24H/7D with instrument landing systems for landing in all types of weather.
Niall Olver, Chief Executive, Grob Aerospace, said: "The creation of this US entity is an extremely important step for Grob Aerospace. We must be able to support customers from our largest single market in their time zone. Furthermore, we look forward to making Grob Aerospace a prominent and reliable name in North America with a product, like the spn light jet, that is second to none."
