Page 53 - World Airnews Magazine August 2020

NEWS DIGITAL

AGILITY AND ADAPTABILITY KEY

TO WEATHERING THE COVID-19

STORM

manufacturing facility. fuels and electro/hybrid technology will
“That COVID-19 has changed everything be Richard’s areas of particular emphasis,
A South African general aviation – at warp speed - cannot be over-stated. given his expertise in these spheres.
Additionally, UAV and military appli-
airmotive company based at Virginia As it stands the global pandemic has all but cations will be an area where ADEPT’s
Airport, Durban is keeping abreast of the brought the travel and aviation industries innovative engine range can find applica-
to a grinding halt, which is sure to have
changes in the sector brought about by the far-reaching, adverse implications for all tions, and these avenues will be explored.
Covid-19 pandemic. those within these sectors. Applications engineering for customer
Established in 2003, Adept Airmotive As the saying goes, the only constant engines and liaison with NTC and TC OEMs
has its design and administration offices in life is change. The lesson we can take are firmly in Richard’s wheelhouse, as will
and development testing facility there and from this crisis, is that every business has be the development of rotor wing and
then in 2014 and 2015, two dynamic new had to react with agility, and innovation to personal air mobility technologies.
entities: Airmotive Technology (Pty) Ltd future-proof their organizations for long- “We are excited at these and other
and ADEPT Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd were term sustainability. As a forward-thinking developments, which include exploring
established to facilitate the production company founded on, and driven by, new, market opportunities, to ensure the
manufacturing, market entry and commer- innovation ADEPT has embraced the future-proofing of our business as a whole.
cialisation of the ADEPT Airmotive engine changes that have arisen from this, our new That we are prepared for the hard work
range. normal,” said Richard Schulz found and CEO required to do this, naturally goes without
All the critical manufacturing and at Airmotive Technology. saying”, said Schulz.
assembly processes are in the process Schulz will be focusing his attention ADEPT engines are targeting the 280Hp
of being established in-house in a new on technical developments. New model - 360Hp sector of the General Aviation
1,600 square meter (170,000 square foot) development, range expansion, alternative industry. Q

An Adept 320 T motor as
installed in a Ravin 500 at
Virginia airport, Durban North
Photo by Mike Wright

World Airnews | August Extra 2020
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