Pipistrel, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, is bolstering its African sales network with the appointment of Absolute Aviation, headquartered at Lanseria International airport in South Africa, as its distributor to 11 countries across southern and central Africa.
Already a longstanding channel partner of Textron Aviation as an authorized sales, service and parts representative for Cessna and Beechcraft in southern and central Africa, Absolute Aviation will take on responsibility for sales, service support and training for Pipistrel's ultralight, light sport and type certified aircraft, which include the Alpha Trainer, Velis Electro, Explorer and Panthera. Absolute Aviation will also showcase demonstration aircraft across the region to promote Pipistrel's offerings.
Absolute Aviation will serve Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
We're fully committed to building our network of distributors so that we can precisely meet the needs of our customers across Africa,' says Steve Mckenna, director of Sales and Marketing, Pipistrel. 'As an established Textron Aviation channel partner, Absolute Aviation's customer-centric approach is well known to us and we're looking forward to extending this collaboration to showcase Pipistrel.'
Extending our relationship with Textron to include Pipistrel underlines the trust we have developed and the success we have delivered,' adds Neil Howard, CEO, Absolute Aviation. 'We are committed to building on this track record for Pipistrel in the fast-growing African market.'
The appointment of Absolute Aviation follows Pipistrel's expansion of its distribution network in key regions across the globe. Most recently, Pipistrel appointed Lincoln Park Aviation (LPA) as its distributor for 15 US states and Lanier Flight Center as its distributor for five US states.
About Pipistrel
In 2020, Pipistrel's Velis Electro became the world's first, and currently only, electric aircraft to receive full type-certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This achievement followed a series of electric aircraft introductions since the company began research and development of electric propulsion in 2000. Pipistrel's pioneering work has been recognized through awards from NASA, IDC, and other organizations. The company, which offers a family of gliders and light aircraft with both electric and combustion engines, has delivered more than 2,500 light aircraft worldwide since its founding in 1989 and additionally has both hybrid and electric propulsion models under development.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems.
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