PRODUCTION
August 2022
FLIGHT
We have now been test flying the WAVE regularly over the past few months. Our test pilot, from 5Rings Australia, describes the WAVE as a “lovely aircraft to fly, very manoeuvrable”.
Our initial flights were focused on engine cooling, and we are now expanding our CG range and handling qualities. Various wingtip designs have also been tested and we are narrowing down the final selection.
We are battling the winter weather here in New Zealand, and this caused us to delay our air-to-air photo opportunity until the next test flight cycle in a few weeks, so no high-quality flight photos in this update, only one quick picture from the chase plane.
Soon we will be water testing, having established runway and flight characteristics. We have waited a long time to see the WAVE on the water and we will be eagerly sharing videos and photos of this, one of our most monumental events, shortly.
FOCUS
Focus is now on production; tooling and molds are ready for the first production components. Our philosophy from day one was to design for manufacture, this hard road is now paying dividends as we move into full production, at pace, in our purpose-built factory.
We are aggressively hiring design and production staff. With global borders once again open we are looking for passionate people to grow our team as we gather momentum towards the long-awaited first deliveries in 2023. If interested, please email hr@vickersaircraft.com
GROWTH
Vickers has continually expanded our team to include industry experts that head our design, structures, production, and compliance teams. This senior leadership is now implementing the production strategy that has been developed over the past 12 months in anticipation of a successful flight-testing program. Our planning department has also been working diligently to secure the required materials and items such as engines, to streamline our production ramp.
The investment to date has been spent on infrastructure, facilities, design, molds, and tooling, and manufacturing compliance, we are now bringing this all together. We have a fully functioning aircraft company and we are putting this in motion.
We are currently raising investment. We are staying away from VC and corporate investors and are looking for passionate aviators who see sense and are not enticed by false narratives such as the current hype around the Evtol and UAM sectors. Vickers is reality-based and intends to maintain our composure and integrity.
We have managed to spend a fraction of what other similar companies have squandered, and the investment we seek is a lot less than what you might expect. As an example, over our 12 years of development, we have spent in total only one month’s burn rate of a well-publicized company that shares this space.
You cannot un-spend money, so careful planning, realistic targets and actual market requirements all need to be carefully considered as we move towards our 2023 unveiling and deliveries.
As an example, if we had created a customer support team before we actually had a deliverable product, this incurs a large cost, this cost is then absorbed into the price of the aircraft, which in turn the customer pays for. This also applies to air shows, advertising, and large facilities prior to the requirement.
This includes not attending Oshkosh this year. Our view is to remain focused on our goals, one of which is to display at Oshkosh, for the first time, with a customer-delivered production aircraft.
A very careful and thought-out approach has been in place for a decade to ensure we make it to market with an aircraft that is affordable. These decisions were our building blocks, this can’t be done retrospectively after funds have already been wasted.
NEXT
We will now begin work on our USA footprint, including sales and service centers as well as flight training. We plan to have all this in place prior to the first customer deliveries.
Now that we are flying and have a clear path for production and delivery timelines, we will be implementing our Go To Market (GTM) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) teams to ensure that the customer experience is as incredible as the WAVE itself, while reflecting the values of Vickers and our focus on quality and safety.
Having a decade of both achievements and mistakes and having learned from both, we are in a position to openly discuss our delivery timeline moving forward, having already experienced many of the growth and development pains associated with an undertaking of this magnitude.
HELP
So, I personally ask for your help. Please consider this investment opportunity, and share it with people in your circle and show them an incredible opportunity they might otherwise miss, aviation is booming! I ask for your help as we have always kept a low profile and haven’t played any smoke and mirror games. While this has helped attract serious interest, we haven’t had the exposure the WAVE now deserves so please share as far and wide as you can, thank you. Please email me directly if interested info@vickersaircraft.com
We are comfortable that we can produce the WAVE as advertised and meet all our intended design specifications and deliver something truly special. We believe the WAVE will become a true lifestyle aircraft allowing both water adventures and cross-country journeys with its range and performance, a true Grand Touring (GT) aircraft.
We are confident that the WAVE will be competitively priced and offer incredible value for money.
The design team have been removing weight, complexity, and cost from the production aircraft to allow a lower price point for the WAVE.
As previously mentioned, the Vickers WAVE has been designed for manufacturability and the company itself has been built on realistic goals and timelines that will allow for a sustainable company moving forward.
Thank you for continuing to support Vickers Aircraft.
Paul Vickers - CEO.