Aviation Week - Dornier To Assemble Seaplane Near Montreal

By Graham Warwick - Dornier Seaplane is to assemble the Seastar CD2 amphibian at Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu in Quebec. The Montreal suburb was one of two Canadian sites shortlisted for the final-assembly plant. The other was North Bay, Ontario, where the Bombardier 415 amphibian is assembled.

The German-backed, Florida-based company says the decision was based on factors including strong federal, provincial and local government support for aerospace; the pool of skilled aerospace labor in Montreal; and the large local supply chain, including Seastar engine supplier Pratt & Whitney Canada

Dornier Seaplane CEO Joe Walker says the company will begin recruiting for senior production management positions, with plans to create a total of 250 final-assembly jobs over the next five years. Seastar fabrication will be outsourced to suppliers in Canada and Germany.

Supplier selection is to be completed over the next 12 months, with Seastar deliveries to begin in 2012. Production is planned to ramp up from six in 2010 to 36 in 2016. Powered by a pair of PT6A-135A turboprops, the all-composite flying boat is already certificated in Europe and the USA.

The Dornier family has put $150 million into the program and remains the majority investor. The company is in negotiations with new minority partners to secure additional funds, says Walker, and working to convert more than 25 letters of intent to firm contracts.

Quebec has been aggressive in offering incentives to attract aerospace companies to the Montreal area. Seawind Aircraft plans to build a four-seat amphibian at Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, but has struggled to get the program off the ground. Symphony Aircraft set up to produce the SA-160 light aircraft in Trois-Rivieres, near Montreal, but went bankrupt in 2006.

graham_warwick [at] aviationweek [dot] com

Dornier Seastar photo: Mike Vines

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