CONTINENTAL RESURRECTS F406 TWIN

30 Mar 2014

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In a surprise move that has industry experts guessing, Chinese-owned Continental Motors has gone into partnership with French firm ASI Innovation to acquire the Type Certificate, inventory and manufacturing rights for the F406 twin engine turboprop. The F406 was formerly produced by now insolvent Reims Aviation.

The F406 is a twin engine, unpressurised, 14 passenger turboprop aircraft first introduced by Reims Aviation in 1983. The aircraft can fill multiple roles, including passenger, cargo and mixed use applications. The acquisition offers the partners a rugged, respected aircraft that can be configured to fill many missions and roles throughout the world.

"We are pleased by the acquisition of this great airframe" said Rhett Ross, President of Continental Motors. "We will be excited to see it return to production in both a turbine and piston engine configuration to meet global demand for a cost effective twin engine utility aircraft."

Exactly which piston engine Continental has in mind has not been revealed. The company bought the former Thielert Centurion turbodiesel engine firm last year, adding to its existing range of avgas engines.

Continental and ASI will jointly oversee continued airworthiness of the existing product, fleet and customers. As the companies work to bring the product back to production, ASI will have responsibility and control of all business related to government application of the F406 product, while Continental Motors will have responsibility for all commercial applications and restoring the F406 to production.

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