Chinese Firm Orders 50 Adam A700 All-Composite VLJs

The Adam Aircraft A700 all-composite aircraft is easily the most distinctive of the new breed of very light jets, its twin-boom configuration teamed with a horizontal stabilizer linking the twin tailfins that are its vertical stabilizers. Its distinctive shape helps give the A700 a large cabin for its size and the aircraft has sold fairly well. Credit: Adam Aircraft

Hainan Zhong Hang Tai General Aviation Airlines has ordered 50 Adam Aircraft A700 very light jets (VLJs).

The company is the Hainan, China-based operating entity of Ameritech Aerospace, a seller of spare parts for commercial aircraft that began life in 1997 in California and has several branch offices in Asia. It formalized the order on May 21 during the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Hainan Zhong Hang Tai chose the A700 because of its handling capabilities and innovative look, said Adam Aircraft. Englewood, Colo.-based Adam Aircraft designs and manufactures advanced carbon composite aircraft for the twin piston and VLJ markets.

"The business plan of the Chinese company has been developed with the goal of capitalizing on the fast growing general aviation market in China with fractional-share programs and air taxi operation in mind," said Jason Fan, CEO of Hainan Zhong Hong Tai General Airlines. Fan also appears to run Ameritech Aerospace.

"Due to the immediate charter and air taxi growth opportunities in China, we made the A700 our choice because it has the largest cabin space of all the VLJs," said Fan. "In addition, the aircraft combines prestige luxury and speed with its innovative twin tails that remind people of a Formula 1 racecar."

There is currently a serious shortage of professional pilots in China and aircraft management is often faced with difficulties related to flight planning, ground handling and maintenance for individual aircraft owners, according to Adam Aircraft.

"The A700 owner will be served by a professional pilot/aircraft manager who will be available for all flights and training during a renewable six month period," said Fan.

Hainan Zhong Hong Tai General Aviation Airlines plans to sell A500 and A700 aircraft for Adam Aircraft and provide lease-back options to owners for air taxi operations following deliveries of the carbon-fiber A700 to the company in 2008.

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