Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

Daher plans to increase aircraft production this year to more than 60 TBM turboprop singles and more than 25 Kodiak utility turboprops, according to Nicolas Chabbert, the senior v-p of Daher’s aircraft division. Last year, the aircraft manufacturer delivered 56 TBM 910s and 960s from its Tarbes, France facility and 18 Kodiak 100s and 900s from its Sandpoint, Idaho plant. Backlog is now about two years for both product lines, Chabbert noted.
The 40 percent increase in Kodiak shipments will be facilitated by a recent reorganization of the Kodiak production layout in Sandpoint. Chabbert said parallel assembly lines have been introduced, with mirrored Kodiak 100/900 assembly from Stages 3 through 6. These stages cover wing and horizontal stabilizer mating, flight control integration and rigging, engine and avionics installation, first flight, interior outfitting, and customer delivery.
“These parallel assembly lines were developed using our internal resources,” explained Kerry Olson, Daher’s director of Kodiak operations and site leader at Sandpoint. “The parallel production came online ahead of schedule.”
The increased production capacity follows other improvements at Sandpoint, including a $2.7 million, 9,000-sq-ft aircraft painting facility.
To date, 330 Kodiak 100s and Kodiak 900s have been delivered to customers. The most recent Kodiak 900—the seventh to date—was handed over to a private owner last month. Chabbert said Kodiak 900 production is now on a cadence of one per month.
Meanwhile, Daher’s plans to augment TBM and Kodiak production at its Stuart, Florida aerostructures facility continue to move forward, according to Daher v-p of human resources for North America Christopher Gonzales. The company plans to begin construction of the combined TBM and Kodiak production facility later this year, with TBM assembly expected to first come online in late 2025 or early 2026.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Daher Ramping Up Production of TBM and Kodiak Turboprop Airplanes

Company plans to deliver 60 TBMs and 25 Kodiaks this year

Daher plans to increase aircraft production this year to more than 60 TBM turboprop singles and more than 25 Kodiak utility turboprops.

Daher Ramping Up TBM, Kodiak Production

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Ultra-long-range model has amassed 75 records, many from customer trips

Speed Records Abound for Bombardier's Global 7500

We talk through the process from conception to delivery

Flying Privately: How Aircraft Like the Bombardier Global 7500 Come to Life

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

AltiSky will assemble, sell, and service VoltAero's aircraft

VoltAero Picks U.S. Distributor for Cassio Hybrid-electric Aircraft 

Jennifer Leach English

Company noncommittal on expanding its lineup upwards, citing $1B investment cost

Embraer’s Plans for a Larger Bizjet Remain Up in the Air

Operations ebbed, backlogs were steady, and available aircraft increased

GJC: Bizjet Market Continues To Stabilize in 3Q2024

Greenville-based charter operator pre-orders 10 eVTOL air taxis

SAI Flight To Operate SkyDrive eVTOL in South Carolina

Charles Alcock

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Sun n Fun Aerospace Expo 2024

In this article

TBM 900 Series

Kodiak 100/900 Series

Daher Aircraft

More In Aircraft

Speed Records Abound for Bombardier's Global 7500

Ultra-long-range model has amassed 75 records, many from customer trips

Flying Privately: How Aircraft Like the Bombardier Global 7500 Come to Life

We talk through the process from conception to delivery

VoltAero Picks U.S. Distributor for Cassio Hybrid-electric Aircraft

AltiSky will assemble, sell, and service VoltAero's aircraft

Embraer’s Plans for a Larger Bizjet Remain Up in the Air

Company noncommittal on expanding its lineup upwards, citing $1B investment cost

GJC: Bizjet Market Continues To Stabilize in 3Q2024

Operations ebbed, backlogs were steady, and available aircraft increased

SAI Flight To Operate SkyDrive eVTOL in South Carolina

Greenville-based charter operator pre-orders 10 eVTOL air taxis

AMSL Starts Untethered Flight Tests with Vertiia eVTOL Aircraft

Australian start-up is developing a hydrogen-powered aircraft

Deliveries Increase as EHang Works to Boost eVTOL Aircraft Performance

Chinese manufacturing wants to extend range with solid-state batteries

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN