UPDATE: The 10 to 14 seat EV-55 Outback twin PT6A powered STOL utility aircraft continues its EASA CS23 certification, but the latest order by China’s Guangdong Long Hao Group for 50 x EV-55’s with plane unseen, no spec, no certification for 2 years at least, etc. raises serious concerns about what is going on at Evektor, as the Malaysian’s are screwing up the whole program with their lack of leadership, experience and knowledge in the industry. The Malaysian investor, Aspirasi Pertiwi Sdn Bhd which has only 9% of the voting shares yet controls the company ? is not living up to its Agreement with Evektor, and is apparently in breach of its Agreement with Evektor and changes are coming to the arrangement, as several investigations are forthcoming. It is very unfortunate that the EV-55 Outback is once again delayed but the aircraft will survive and be certified and then do very well commercially as it is very well positioned in the market. The Malaysians really have NO idea of Part 23 certification, the General Aviation market and aircraft production. The full inside story cannot be revealed yet, but it is a mess and this mess will be cleaned up through the appropriate legal processes in due course. Again, a warning to companies seeking investors, be real careful who you bring on board, the promise of money is not the only criteria, check out experience, knowledge and most importantly past achievements and failures.

I have been updating the progress of the 10-14 seat Evektor EV-55 Outback twin PT6 utility, which I was involved with from the beginning in analyzing the market segment, helping to raise money from the Czech Ministry of Trade and Industry and then specifying the aircraft’s size, performance and price point.

I was stunned to see the announcement in the media last month in regard to a strategic cooperation Agreement with China’s Guangdong Longhao Group of Guangzhou for a possible acquisition of 50 EV-55’s. This is a “mickey mouse” Agreement, that has no bearing to the current situation at Evektor. This why I do my blog, the media reports the “news” but no one really talks about what is behind the news, no one questions the press releases of airlines and aircraft manufacturers. The Chinese are ordering lots of aircraft, sight unseen ? no specification ? no date for certification ? its a joke, who would order an airplane at this stage of the program ? No professional anyway, but the Chinese and Malaysians have.

Being in the industry for 30+ year and experience in all segments (regional airlines, flag carriers, low cost carriers, leisure airlines, business jet operations to sales and marketing of commercial jets, turboprops and business jets) I have the knowledge to connect the dots of information and identify problems and BS stories.

First of all the EV-55 is still in EASA CS-23 certification, at a very slow pace, as there are internal problems within the company with the Malaysian investors, Aspirasi PertiwiSdn Bhd that made certain commitments in regard to finance, which today is highly suspect. Without revealing too much, I can easily say that no Chinese company was in Kunovice to look a the EV-55, there is no final specification and no chance of any deliveries as some claim in 2017 (4 units to Malaysia).

The Chinese company is very diversified in building airports, aviation industrial parks, new energy, film and high tech industries, but no aviation company for now, this smells like a ‘dealership’ for the future or a possible sale of the EV-55 program to China for local production, which the Chinese do very often, but like a “Black Hole” its sucks matter in but nothing comes out.

• READ Blog on Chinese taking over the GA market of March 30, 2014
• READ Blogs on Evektor EV-55 Outback program in articles of September 3, 2015 and June 8, 2015

The EV-55 will be a winner and commercial success, but NOT under the current Malaysian control, they know NOT what they do ! In fact, their is a ongoing criminal investigation of the Malaysian executive Chew Keat Soon (aka David Chew) and former Malaysian Prime Minister of Malaysia and CEO of Apirasi Pertiwi Sdn Bhd, Tun Dr. Mahatir Bin Mohamad and others.

So in short, there really is no basis for the 50 EV-55 orders from China or the 4 orders from Malaysia already announced, but the program will continue without the Malaysians, and it will do very well. It was always a long shot that the Malaysian would be helpful investors, the have NO experience in certifying and manufacturing Part 23 aircraft, and the appointment of David Chew to run the company was always seen as a disaster waiting to happen, thank god he has resigned his executive management post but for now continuous as a Board member, but the situation is NOT good for the Malaysians, who are in breach of their existing Agreement with Evektor and looking at a legal termination of their “involvement”.

Like everywhere in the world, there are those that are serious business people who thrive on challenges and creating new business opportunities and then there are those that just look for the quick buck, but without the work and dedication.

So for know, just know the EV-55 Outback is not dead, certification continuous as internal problems are being addressed and they will take some time to clean up, but in the end, the EV-55 will be certified and will fill a very good market segment in the future.

The EV-55 Basic numbers:

Max. cruise 220 Kts, takeoff over 50 feet (ISA/SL) of 1,378 feet, landing over 50 feet (ISA/SL) of 1,673 feet, cabin volume 334 ft3, baggage 113 ft3, MTOW 10,140 lbs, max useful 4,280 lbs.

Thanks for reading my blog.