Superior Air Parts Is Back From Bankruptcy

A partnership deal with a Chinese technology group has pulled Superior Air Parts back from bankruptcy. The Weifang Tianxiang Technology Group is also supported by an alliance with the People's Republic of China in the deal. Superior has been operating under the financial cloud since 2009, and the new entity will be named Superior Aviation. The alliance will not only shore up the fiscal end here in the United States, but also includes a new 14,400-square-foot factory to be built in Beijing to serve the Far East aviation market. The Chinese plant will produce Superior's 180-hp Vantage piston engine. The U.S. business unit will be a subsidiary, though new Superior CEO Tim Archer (formerly director of marketing and sales) said, "Superior Air Parts U.S. is the flagship of this organization's global efforts. Superior's U.S. headquarters will serve as the central point for the engineering, development, FAA certification and production of our new-generation engine products." Archer also spoke of an "aggressive new-product development program."

Mark Phelps is a senior editor at AVweb. He is an instrument rated private pilot and former owner of a Grumman American AA1B and a V-tail Bonanza.

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