Quest Aircraft

The Quest Aircraft Company was an American aircraft manufacturer located in Sandpoint, Idaho. Quest was started in 2001 to design and provide aircraft suitable for domestic and international humanitarian applications. Its sole product was the Kodiak single engine short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft.

Quest Aircraft
IndustryAerospace
FateAcquired by Daher in 2019
SuccessorKodiak Aircraft Company (Daher)
Founded2001
Headquarters
Sandpoint, Idaho
,
United States
ProductsGeneral aviation aircraft
OwnerSetouchi Holdings (2015-19)
Number of employees
184 (2015)
Quest Kodiak

In February 2015, the company was sold to Setouchi Holdings of Japan. Setouchi had been acting as a dealer for Quest and as a result of that relationship decided to purchase the company.[1][2] In 2019, it was sold to the French industrial group Daher.

History

The earliest origins of Quest Aircraft can be traced back to 1998, when Idaho Air Group was founded by Tom Hamilton and David Voetmann. Tom and David saw a need to develop an aircraft uniquely suited to the rugged flying environment found in humanitarian aviation. After raising the necessary funding, the Quest Aircraft Company launched in 2001 with a staff of 14. After a 27,000 square foot facility was dedicated in 2002, work started on the first prototype aircraft, which led to the production of the Quest Kodiak turboprop.[3]

Paul Schaller became CEO of the company in 2004, and by 2009 the employment force was 340 people.[4]

Following a soft economy, in 2010 the workforce was reduced to 155 employees, but 2011 saw a fresh infusion of capital and a change in executive leadership as Schaller migrated to a consulting role in the company.[5]

Sam Hill was the CEO from 2012 to January 2017, after previous experience at Embraer Aircraft Corporation and Honda Aircraft Company.[6]

In February 2015, the company was purchased by Setouchi Holdings, part of the Tsuneishi Group of Japan.[1][2]

In June 2016, the company's headquarters was expanded by 27,000 sq ft (2,500 m2) to bring the main facility to 110,000 sq ft (10,000 m2). A 5,000 sq ft (460 m2) research and development hangar was also completed.[7]

In January 2017, Robert H. Wells was named CEO, having been in management at Tag Aviation, Beechcraft and Landmark Aviation.[7]

On June 13, 2019, French aircraft manufacturer Daher, announced its acquisition of Quest Aircraft from Setouchi Holdings.[8] The deal was completed by October 1, 2019, after which Quest was renamed Kodiak Aircraft and then absorbed into the parent company.[9][10][11]

Products

See also

References
  • Marsh, Alton K. AOPA Pilot 2006
  1. "Turboprop builder Quest Aircraft sold to Japanese group". Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  2. "New Ownership For Quest Aircraft". AVweb. 17 February 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  3. "Company Overview". Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  4. Namowitz, Dan (2011-06-10). "Quest Aircraft CEO to Depart; Other Changes Announced". AOPA - Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Retrieved 2012-10-15.
  5. "Changes: Quest Aircraft Shifts Management, Shows Progress". Aero-News Network. 2011-06-12. Retrieved 2012-10-15.
  6. "Management Team". Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  7. Grady, Mary (31 January 2017). "Quest Names Wells As New CEO". Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  8. "DAHER Announces Its Acquisition Of Quest Aircraft Company, Becoming A Franco-American Aircraft Manufacturer". Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  9. Phelps, Mark (October 21, 2019). "Daher Completes Quest Acquisition". AIN Online. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  10. Daher Completes Quest Aircraft Acquisition
  11. Daher (2020). "The Kodiak 100 by Daher". kodiak.aero. Archived from the original on 14 January 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
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