Montrose, Colorado, July 23, 2010 — Extra Aircraft announced today that it has selected Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) in Montrose, Colorado as the location of its new U.S. headquarters and aircraft production center.
On July 23rd, Ken Keith, owner and CEO of Extra Aircraft was joined by officials from Montrose County, the Montrose Economic Development Corporation, The City of Montrose, Montrose Regional Airport Director of Aviation, the State of Colorado, executives from turbine engine manufacturer Rolls Royce and Extra Aircraft customers for the ribbon cutting event.
“This is an incredibly exciting time for everyone involved with Extra Aircraft,” Keith said. “Creating a new purpose-built facility here in the U.S. is key to providing our North American-based customers with the overall ownership experience they expect when they buy and operate an Extra aircraft.”“Today is a great day for Montrose!” said Sandy Head, Executive Director, Montrose Economic Development Corporation.” We are thrilled to be chosen as the new North American home for Extra Aircraft and we are pleased to extend a warm welcome to Ken Keith and the entire Extra Aircraft family.”
Keith said that construction of Extra’s new 40,000 square foot facility will begin soon and that Montrose Regional Airport will provide temporary facilities for the Extra operations. Current plans call for phase one of the Extra facility to be operational by late this fall.
The Extra 500’s advanced all-carbon-fiber fuselage and wing will be crafted by the Extra factory in Dinslaken, Germany then shipped to Montrose for final assembly and completion to each customer’s specifications. Extra’s Montrose team will install the new Rolls Royce M250-B17F turboprop engine and the new-generation Avidyne Entegra Release 9 (R9) avionics suite into each aircraft.
When completed, the new facility will also feature a state-of-the-art maintenance and spare parts facility. Keith said that when fully operational, the Montrose facility will employ over 200 people.
“Extra Aircraft will provide new and exciting opportunities for the citizens of Montrose,” Ms. Head said. “Montrose Regional Airport is one of the finest airports in Colorado and the Black Canyon Jet Center is our new state-of-the-art FBO that will welcome Extra owners as they fly into our city.”
“Along with a truly wonderful airport, Montrose offers us 300-plus days a year of crystal clear VFR weather and unmatched recreational opportunities all year ‘round,” Keith said. “What better place to experience your first flight in your new Extra 500 Sprit or Extra 200, 300 or 330 aerobatic airplane than over the spectacular Rocky Mountains?”
When asked about his reason for selecting Montrose, Colorado as the site for Extra’s new headquarters Keith said, “The high level of energy and enthusiasm that the people of Montrose have is the perfect complement to the unmatched ownership experience I want for everyone who flies an Extra airplane. We are so excited about our decision to come to Montrose that we named the Extra 500 that we flew on our recent 15-city tour of the U.S., ‘The Spirit of Montrose,’” he said.
The “Spirit of Montrose,” along with examples of Extra’s aerobatic airplanes will be on display at the Extra booth during Oshkosh AirVenture, July 26th through August 2nd, in Wisconsin.
About Extra Aircraft
Extra Aircraft is the manufacturer of a family of high performance aircraft ranging from the advanced, Extra 500 Spirit single-engine turboprop to the Extra 200, 300 and 330 series of sport and world-class competitive aerobatic aircraft. Founded in 1981 by legendary designer, Walter Extra, the Extra family of aircraft is celebrating 30-years of delivering unmatched performance, safety, value and fun to pilots around the world. For more information visit: www.ExtraAircraft.com.About The Extra 500 Spirit
Featuring a stunning design, the largest cabin in its class, state-of-the-art carbon fiber construction, a Rolls Royce RR250-B17F/2 turboprop engine and the new-generation Avidyne Entegra Release 9 (R9) avionics suite, the six-place Extra 500 Spirit is the most advanced single-engine turboprop on the market today.
About The Extra Aerobatic Aircraft
With six models to choose from and a growing number of sport and unlimited championships to their credit, the Extra family of certified sport, performance and unlimited category aerobatic aircraft continue to set the standard for amateur and professional pilots around the world.
