Despite Grob’s Woes, PlaneSense Stands By SPn Order

By Jennifer Harrington

August 21, 2008
Fractional, Business Aviation

George Antoniadis, the president and CEO of Alpha Flying’s PlaneSense fractional ownership program, is standing by the company’s order for 25 Grob SPn midsize jets. “We do feel that it is the right aircraft for us, and at this time we’re sticking with it,” he told AIN.

“We have not canceled our order. Grob Aerospace filed for insolvency on Monday after a “loan provider” withdrew financial support of the SPn program.

Antoniadis said that if the program is delayed further, Alpha Flying will redirect its resources, including pilots, to its Pilatus PC-12 program. “Because of the time remaining until the anticipated introduction of the SPn, we have the flexibility to redeploy resources as we see fit,” he said.

Antoniadis added that he has planned the timing and resources to coincide with the airplane’s introduction late next year. “We were not expecting an airplane next month,” he said.

According to Antoniadis, his company has not yet released Grob SPn shares for sale, although it does have “strong interest” from customers.

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