Quest Aircraft Company is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with Rheinland Air Service (RAS) to represent Quest as the exclusive dealer for KODIAK aircraft in Europe. RAS will also serve as an authorized KODIAK service center. Headquartered at Mönchengladbach Airport near Düsseldorf, RAS joins an existing network of KODIAK sales and service dealers strategically located around the world. Its subsidiary, Aviation Centre in Windhoek, Namibia, is also a KODIAK authorized service center for that region.
“RAS is a good fit for Quest and for the KODIAK,” said Steve Zinda, Quest’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Like all of our dealers, RAS brings professionalism, experience and a strong relationship with customers and potential customers in the geographic area they represent.”
RAS’ territory covers 35 countries which include both European Union (EU) and non-EU member countries. Their territory stretches from Iceland and the United Kingdom in the west to Scandinavia in the north and as far south as Greece, Cyprus and Malta.
“This latest addition reflects the company’s commitment to continued growth and global expansion in key parts of the world,” Zinda added. “While we do have several KODIAKs in service there, we have not focused heavily on the European market. With the impending changes regarding single-engine turboprops by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) coupled with the market potential and RAS’ strong presence, we think the KODIAK will see increased interest from a variety of customer segments.”
“With its outstanding versatility and performance, the rugged KODIAK will be of great interest to many of our customers,” said RAS CEO Johannes Graf von Schaesberg. “Customers are already familiar with the time-tested and well proven PT6-34 engine. But the reliable and comfortable KODIAK also offers customers an entirely new level of mission flexibility.”
Quest has seen strong market acceptance in key market segments around the world, including personal use, Part 135 operations, corporate transport, government and humanitarian organizations. The KODIAK is certified in 17 countries, with several additional certifications imminent. The company has also begun working on obtaining EASA certification.
The KODIAK’s rugged aluminum construction combines superior STOL performance and high useful load. With powerful turbine performance, the aircraft has the ability to land and take off from unimproved surfaces and is capable of working off floats without structural upgrades. The KODIAK can take off in under 1,000 feet at full gross takeoff weight of 7,255 lbs. and climb at over 1,300 feet per minute. A 3-panel Garmin G1000 integrated avionics suite including Synthetic Vision Technology is standard equipment on the KODIAK.
RAS is a recognized leader in aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), as well as aircraft sales, support, and fueling. With over 40 years of technical expertise, including both EASA and FAA Part 145 certifications, RAS employs 210 people across Europe and Africa. In addition to the KODIAK, RAS is also a dealer for HondaJet, Socata TBM 900, and WACO Classic aircraft. The RAS companies serve business, general and commercial aviation. For more information, please visit www.ras.de.
Quest Aircraft Company is the manufacturer of the KODIAK, a 10-place single engine turboprop airplane, designed for STOL use and float capability. Headquartered in Sandpoint, Idaho, the company was established in 2001 and began deliveries of the KODIAK in December 2007. For more information, please visit www.questaircraft.com.
Quest Media Contact
Julie Stone
Office: (912) 898-8673
Mobile: (912) 398-0498
Email: jstone@questaircraft.com
RAS Media Contact
Christiane Schmidt
Office: +49 2161 9948 173
Email: c.schmidt@ras.de