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EADS/PZL CASA HAS CANCELLED PRODUCTION OF THE PZL 104MA WILGA 2000

Industry insiders speculate that the cut is due to financial problems arising from EADS and Airbus.


September 19, 2007  By Carey Fredericks

Campbell River, B.C. The factory, EADS/PZL, and the parent company CASA, have declined to make a public announcement. Industry insiders speculate that the cut is due to financial problems arising from EADS and Airbus.

SEALAND AVIATION LTD., as the primary agent in North America, has spent the last three years marketing this wonderful aircraft. Negotiations have been initiated to move production to Canada.

The Wilga 2000 was chosen by the Air Cadet League of Canada, from a short list of ten possible aircraft, as a replacement for their fleet of Cessna L19s. The Department of National Defense approved the Wilga for use by the Air Cadets after a year s evaluation. The League took delivery of their first aircraft in December 2005 and was about to place the order for the second aircraft when production was cancelled. The Air Cadet League trains 320 pilots per year in each of their power and glider programs. Over 16,000 power pilots have been licensed through the Air Cadet program in the last 50 years. A very high percentage of Airline pilots in Canada got their start with the Air Cadet League of Canada. The Wilga was well received at Oshkosh this year. The installation of floats, amphibious floats, tundra tires and FLIR systems make the Wilga a versatile aircraft for Law Enforcement, power and pipeline patrol, commercial operators and recreational pilots.

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