...As Bellanca Assets Purchased...

A small maintenance company and some former employees of the Bellanca Aircraft factory in Alexandria, Minn., have joined forces to dig that company out of receivership. Kevin Sather, owner of Weber's Aero Repair, which is also on the field at Alexandria, said his firm and four senior Bellanca managers have formed Alexandria Aircraft LLC and were the successful bidders for Bellanca's assets. The deal closed last Thursday. Bellanca went bankrupt in January under the weight of about $1 million in unpaid fees and fines to state and federal agencies. Sather said the new company's first priority is to resume manufacturing of parts for the estimated 1,300 Bellancas still registered. Before they can do that, there's a backlog of drawings, updates, and FAA paperwork to tackle. "It's kind of overwhelming," Sather told AVweb. "There's a lot of things to be done." Fortunately for the new company, the right people seem to be in place to do them. Weber's is a Bellanca maintenance specialist and Sather's new partners include the engineer, electrical expert, wood fabricator and machinist from the former factory. "We've kind of covered all our bases," he said. Sather said the new company plans to reduce prices for parts and make them more accessible. "Hopefully, we're going to be the best thing for the owners."

...Wood And Fabric Fans Cheer

That's music to the ears of Ron Bianci and hundreds of other Bellanca owners who've been on pins and needles since the company's collapse. "We've been looking for something," Bianci told AVweb. "When you buy something, you want somebody to stand behind it." Bianci said problems with the factory started several years ago. Despite them, however, he said Bellanca owners remained passionate about their airplanes. "We call it the best-kept secret flying," said Bianci, a former racing car driver who has owned his 1974 Viking for 14 years. He said he's flown just about every other type of piston single and the wood-and-fabric Bellanca has always remained his favorite. Over the years Bellanca has produced about five variants including a tri-tailed, conventional-gear model. Both Lycoming and Continental engines ranging from 230 to 300 horsepower have been used.