Beijing-based Blue Eagle Aviation Investment jumpstarted the ABACE 2013 sales action with an order from Beijing General Aviation (BGA) for the first Quest Kodiak single-turboprop utility aircraft to be delivered in China.

Under a sales agreement scheduled for signing at Blue Eagle’s stand this morning (Booth H420), BGA is set to order two of the rugged short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) aircraft with an option for purchase of an additional four Kodiaks. The first aircraft will be delivered following its certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), expected this summer, with the second delivery to follow about six months later. No timetable for exercising the option for the additional four airplanes has been set. The agreement also calls for Blue Eagle to provide BGA with aftermarket support including maintenance, modification and training for the aircraft. Financial terms of the agreement are not being made public.

Last July Blue Eagle Aviation, an aircraft sales, service, and consulting company, was named the exclusive distributor for the Kodiak in China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. In November at the National Business Aviation Association’s annual trade show, Blue Eagle ordered a dozen Kodiaks for sale in the region.

“I believe this airplane, with its excellent features will have a very promising market in China,” said Li He, president of Blue Eagle Aviation, on the eve of the signing. “Our professional team and BGA are both confident about making the Kodiak the first choice for utility aircraft.”

The Kodiaks BGA ordered will be based in Beijing and initially used for emergency disaster assistance, said Liu Ming De, BGA director of sales. “The advantage of the Kodiak is its large payload, long range and fast speed, which makes it the best choice for emergency rescue and assistance,” said Liu.