Xi'an Phoenix Aircraft Manufacture Corporation, China's first privately run aircraft maker, signed on Tuesday a deal to export 150 CH-2000 aircraft valued at US$37.5 million.

 

The deal was sealed with GPA Foundation, a Delaware-based charity organization.

 

GPA has paid a deposit of US$10 million to Phoenix but the delivery date has yet to be decided, according to Yang Qi, a manager at Phoenix.

 

The CH-2000 is a two-seat airplane that has received aviation certification in 27 countries.

 

According to the contract, the aircraft will be used for general aviation purposes in Argentina.

 

Established in October this year in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Phoenix is a joint venture with Zenair, a Canadian-owned company.

 

Phoenix is mainly engaged in the production of CH701 and CH2000 planes, both designed by Zenair. It manufactures 60 airplanes a year.

 

GPA, established in 1988, is partly funded by The Rockefeller Foundation and Romania-based San Paolo IMI Bank.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 8, 2006)