French company ASI Innovation and Continental Motors have entered a partnership to resurrect the Reims F406 twin, Continental announced today.
The two companies bought the type certificate for the Cessna 406-derived aircraft and intend to offer it with both turbo-prop and piston engines.
"We are pleased by the acquisition of this great airframe" said Rhett Ross, President of Continental Motors, Inc. "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."
The companies will jointly oversee the continued airworthiness of the existing F406 fleet. 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.
The F406 is a twin engine, unpressurized, 14-passenger turbo-prop aircraft first introduced by Reims Aviation Industries in 1983. The new version will be offered with either the P&W PT-6 or a Continental piston engine using any of the company's geared, FADEC and diesel engine technology.