Page 7 - Sept 2020
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Canada. I wish Dave and their staff every success.”
Dave Frisch is a long-time Air Tractor aircraft owner.
He grew up on a mixed grain and livestock farm in the
Manitou area and began his ag flying career in 1999.
Frisch serves on the Canadian Aerial Applicators
Association Board and is currently the Manitoba
Air Tractor Announces New Dealer for
Canada Aerial Applicators Association President. He owns
and manages an aerial application business as well as
Air Tractor, Inc. President Jim Hirsch announced
Portage Aircraft Maintenance, which opened its
today the addition of a new Air Tractor dealership
doors in 2004 to answer the need for a maintenance
for Canada. Portage Aircraft Specialties, located in
facility specializing in the growing numbers of turbine
Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, will serve agricultural
Air Tractor aircraft entering Canada.
aerial applicators across Canada as the authorized
“We are proud and delighted to represent Air Tractor
dealer for Air Tractor aircraft sales, repairs,
agricultural aircraft in Canada. Air Tractor produces a
maintenance and parts. “We are excited and
great airplane,” Frisch said. “I have flown them for
pleased to have Portage Aircraft Specialties join
many years. Our maintenance facility has kept Air
the Air Tractor family of dealers,” said Hirsch. “I
Tractor customers flying for thousands of trouble-
am confident they will provide the kind of
free hours.” Portage Aircraft Specialties has an 8,400
exceptional service and support that Air Tractor
square foot, climate-controlled, state-of-the-art
owners have come to expect.”
maintenance facility in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.
Queen Bee Air Specialties President Chip Kemper, “We provide a comprehensive range of maintenance
the Air Tractor dealer for the Northwest United and repair services. We are expanding our inventory
States and Canada, and Portage Aircraft Specialties of Air Tractor parts to provide overnight parts
President Dave Frisch, brought the idea to Air delivery to aerial application operators across
Tractor for transitioning the Canadian retail Canada,” Frisch added.
distribution rights for Air Tractor ag aircraft to
I believe it will be fantastic for Portage Aircraft
Portage Aircraft Specialties. After a long process
Specialties and all the Air Tractor customers in
of discovery by all parties the transition has moved
Air Tractor President Jim Hirsch noted that Canadian
forward.
aerial applicators are using Air Tractor turbine
The agreement fulfills the goals of all parties powered airplanes for fast, efficient applications of
involved, remarked Chip Kemper. “Dave and I have crop protection and nutrient products. “Canada has
had a long and productive relationship for many been and remains a key market for Air Tractor. Dave’s
years. I think it's going to be terrific for Air Tractor leadership in the Canadian Aerial Applicators
and the Canadian aerial application industry. Association and the strong, steady reputation he’s
There will be a service center and large parts stock earned among his fellow aerial applicators makes me
in Canada, operated by a dealer that is a Canadian. believe that Portage Aircraft Specialties will be an
I believe it will be fantastic for Portage Aircraft outstanding representative for Air Tractor products.”
Specialties and all the Air Tractor customers in
Visit www.portageaircraft.ca for more information
