Published: January 12, 2009 08:58 am      

Eric Evans Aviation to be exclusive dealer of Expedition E350 aircraft

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Eric Evans Aviation, located at the Mt. Vernon Airport, received some news last week that will not only be good for his company, but for the area as well.

Evans, who opened his aircraft sales company at the airport in February 2008, received word that the Expedition E350 aircraft has not only been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, but he is the exclusive dealer for the aircraft for all areas east of the Mississippi River and the Caribbean.

“When this plane was at trade shows and conventions, people would just walk by because it hadn’t been certified yet,” Evans said. “Now, people are excited to find out more about it.”

The Expedition is a high wing, high performance, five-seat, single engine piston aircraft . It is manufactured by Found Aircraft Canada, Inc., and according to information from the company, the E350 is a versatile aircraft which “offers incredible STOL performance and its rugged landing gear allows it to operate from short unprepared airstrips. IT has a full fuel payload of over 900 pounds, which means the E350 can carry four passengers up to 200 pounds each, and 100 pounds of baggage over 700 nautical miles.

Production of the aircraft started in December and first deliveries of those already purchased are expected to happen during the first quarter of this year.

“Certification of the E350 is the culmination of over two years of development by our dedicated team of employees and suppliers who worked hard to make this day happen,” stated Drew Hamblin, Expedition Aircraft director of marketing and sales. “The Expedition was designed to be the true meaning of a high performance, flying SUV and the undisputed heavy-hauler in its class.”

Evans said because of the unique features of the Expedition, there will be “a lot of people seeking it.”

“We should attract a lot of folks to the area as well as to SRT Aviation,” Evans said. “They will be a service support center for the Expedition so we’ll also see people bringing the aircraft back in.”