Chung-Shan Institute launches super-light aircraft project

This article was published by the Taiwan Headlines on April 19, 2006. It reports that the Aeronautical System Research Division under the Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology in Taiwan recently announced its plan to jointly develop super-light aircraft with six aeronautics-related companies.

The three-year project will begin in 2007 and involve a total budget of NT$250 million. It aims to develop Taiwan into a manufacturing center for super-light aircraft or carrier in the Asia-Pacific region, in order to tap the Taiwanese and Northern American markets.

According to the Aeronautical Industry Development Promotional Panel under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, domestic demand for super-light aircraft is expected to top 5,000 units in the next 10 years. This will amount to production value of NT$12 billion, on the bases of NT$2.4 million each. The Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology predicts that via its collaboration with the six companies, it will be able to take 10 percent of the domestic super-light aircraft market.

The project intends to develop 1,000c.c. horizontal engine. However, preliminarily it will adopt Australia's Rotax engine, which already has an agent in Taiwan. In the future, the Chung-Shan institute of Science and Technology will promote the establishment of the super-light aircraft industry league and make an all-out effort to promote the domestic aeronautical leisure industry.