14 September 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A GENERAL AVIATION FIRST IN CHINA
AeroJones Aviation Delivers Aircraft Via Ferry Flights

Xiamen, CHINA / 14 September 2021 — AeroJones Aviation Technology Co., Ltd. achieved a major step when the aircraft manufacturer delivered two new CTLS Light-Sport Aircraft. 

Since the company started manufacturing in Xiamen, AeroJones has shipped aircraft via ground transport to the end customer. Delivering this way take much longer, costs more, and requires several personnel to transport, reassemble, and flight test the aircraft at the customer’s field.

Note: The term "general aviation" refers to civilian aircraft not employed by scheduled air carriers, or airlines.

A line of AeroJones CTLS aircraft preparing for delivery to flight school customers.

Recently AeroJones approved two aircraft in flight test. “After in-flight evaluations and completing the documentation, pilots flew the aircraft from their production flight test facility at the Zhenjiang DaLu General Airport to Vision General Aviation located at Tianzi Lake, Anji County, Zhejiang province,” reported Mr. Michael Chou, a licensed Commercial Pilot who handles marketing for the Xiamen company.

“The distance between the two airports is about 200 kilometers flying in a generally straight line,” said Mr. Michael Chou. “Our customer, Vision General Aviation, previously owned two AeroJones CTLS aircraft. As the flight school expands operations in 2021, the company ordered two more AeroJones CTLS aircraft for training and discovery flight use.” (A “discovery flight” is a short flight that allows a prospective flight student to experience the flight qualities of the CTLS aircraft.)

“For this delivery of two CTLS aircraft, we planned delivery by either container or ferry flight. AeroJones filed a flight plan with CAAC authorities. After submitting the plan, the request was passed to the military for their approval,” clarified Mr. Michael Chou. “On 19 August 2021, AeroJones received approval and accomplished the first ferry flight from the factory’s test airport in Zhenjiang direct to the customer in Anji County.”

By ground transportation, almost three hours are needed to travel from Zhenjiang to Anji County. By CTLS, less than one hour is needed… plus the view is much nicer.

In places like USA where private aircraft have long histories, all deliveries are made by flying the aircraft to the customer, or the customer may travel to the factory to fly their new purchase home. However, in China where airspace is gradually opening to greater civilian use, such “ferry flights,” as they are called, are extremely rare.

“The ability to fly these very sophisticated and capable aircraft direct to the customer is much more efficient,” said Mr. Jack Lin, a Vice President for AeroJones Aviation Technology. “AeroJones is pleased to work closely with CAAC and representatives from the military to accomplish these flights.”

For the AeroJones factory pilots, the flight was about 200 kilometers from DaLu General Airport, therefore taking less than one hour’s flying time because the aircraft can cruise faster than 220 kilometers per hour. Even at these speeds, CTLS is extremely fuel efficient. Each aircraft delivered by ferry flight uses less than 20 liters per hour, a fraction of what older civilian aircraft require.

In its work to build its business, AeroJones Aviation has also worked closely with Civilian Aircraft Administration of China. Leading this activity for the Xiamen company is Mr. Jack Lin.

AeroJones also sells CTLS aircraft throughout the Asia-Pacific region including Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and other countries, observed Mr. Charlie Chen, who directs international business for AeroJones Aviation. Deliveries to these countries is done by shipping container via sea freight. The aircraft wings, tail, and propeller are removed and must be packed very carefully to avoid damage while in shipment. They must be reassembled and test flown again after arrival in the country. All this adds time and expense. Within China, it is a major help to fly aircraft to customers.

In late 2021, AeroJones will complete a new aircraft factory in China near the Dalu General Airport close to Zhenjiang. Aircraft are fully built in Xiamen, China for the last seven years.

Primary markets for AeroJones Aviation include China and Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and other countries in the region.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
 ABOUT
AEROJONES AVIATION TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.

In addition to operating a factory in Xiamen, AeroJones Aviation operates a flying field, flight school, and maintenance center at an airfield in Pingtong, Taiwan. The operation is a prototype for what may become many such facilities across China as that nation prepares to build hundreds of brand-new airports. Many aviation experts see China as a nation of rapid growth for aircraft of this type with plans from the central government in China to build hundreds of new airports during the next few years.

AeroJones fully manufactures the CTLS aircraft in China. CTLS a light two-seat aircraft that is one of the most popular aircraft in the world. These aircraft meet strict standards prepared by industry experts. Government authorities in many countries accept ASTM international standards. CTLS has been sold in many aviation markets, with more than 1,500 aircraft flying in more than 40 countries.

The Xiamen, China base of AeroJones Aviation Technology Co., Ltd. includes a complete manufacturing facility equipped with computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment. More than 50 highly-trained workers build nearly every part of the airplane in Xiamen. A new factory will be completed in 2021 in Zhenjiang.

In addition to the manufacturing operation in China, AeroJones Aviation Technology Co., Ltd. also operates an engineering bureau in Wildau, Germany plus the flight school in Pingtong.

COMPANY WEBSITE: http://www.aerojones.com/

AEROJONES AVIATION CONTACT:  AeroJones Aviation Technology Co., Ltd. •  +86-592-3199866 • aerojones@aerojones.com • http://www.aerojones.com/ • No.8-10, Tianfeng Road, Jimei North Zone, Xiamen, Fujian, China

PHOTOS — Screen resolution images appear below. High resolution, print quality images for this news release as well as other CTLS images are available at: http://www.aerojones.com/page120

AeroJones flight instructors prepare CTLS aircraft for ferry flight transport from the airplane factory flight test facility at DaLu General Airport in Zhenjiang to Vision General Aviation located at Tianzi Lake, Anji County, Zhejiang province.