Meyers Revival Eyed?

Parts distributor and manufacturer GlobalParts Group, of Augusta, Kan., has acquired the type certificates to two Meyers Aircraft designs, including the Interceptor I-400 single-engine pressurized turboprop that earned FAA approval but never went into production. There are about 100 Meyers 200 aircraft still flying and GlobalParts will assume parts supply and support for those aircraft. The aircraft was certified in the 1960s and there is an active type group for the owners of the well-respected aircraft, some of which were built by Rockwell as Aero Commanders. "We're looking forward to establishing a strong and ongoing relationship with them," said CEO Troy Palmer. But the company also appeared to leave open the possibility of starting production of one or both of the designs.

"Owning the type certificates for the Model 200 and the I-400, which was certified in 1971 but never entered production, allows us to explore options for improvements to Al Meyers' original designs, which set standards for performance and reliability when they were first introduced," said COO Malissa Nesmith. The company says the 200 series compares well to modern high-performance singles but the turboprop would be in a class of its own. One of the two aircraft built in 1971 was included in the deal and it's a four-place pressurized design that will cruise at 300 knots at 24,000 feet and since it's already certified, getting it to market would be relatively straightforward.