This article is published in The Weekly of Business Aviation part of Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN), and is complimentary through Apr 21, 2025. For information on becoming an AWIN Member to access more content like this, click here.
LAKELAND, Florida—Aircraft North America, a division of Italian manufacturer Vulcanair Aircraft, is opening a new manufacturing facility in North Carolina to build training aircraft.
The 36,000 ft.2 site is scheduled to open in Elizabethtown, North Carolina, on Sept. 1. Construction began in January. The site is supported by $12.2 million in state and federal investment grants. The facility will be used for assembly of the single-engine Vulcanair V1 high-wing training aircraft now produced in Naples, Italy.
The U.S. site will meet growing demand from U.S. flight schools and aviation training programs, the company says. In 2025, the facility is expected to produce about four aircraft, expanding to 36 in 2026 with the ability to scale to up to 100 aircraft per year, Stephen Pope, Vulcanair director of communications tells Aviation Week.
Hiring will begin in late May for leadership roles followed by recruitment for production positions in June. Given the facility’s close proximity to seven major military bases, including Joint Special Operations and U.S. Special Operations Command, priority will be given to military veterans, the company says.
“Approximately 40% of active-duty military personnel remain in the area when they separate from military service,” says Ken Hadaway, COO of Sovereign Aerospace, Vulcanair’s project partner.
The four-seat V1 is equipped with Garmin G500 TXi avionics and coupled with a GTN650 unit. It is powered by the 180 hp Lycoming IO-360-M1A engine capable of operating with AvGas or alternative fuels. It is offered with a constant pitch propeller with a fixed pitch propeller optional. It has a maximum range of 530 nm with a maximum cruise speed of 128 kts.
Related Content
