Kandeaska Avionics S.A.

Kandeaska Avionics S.A. (Heltic: Kândeaska Avjonjcă S.A.), or simply Kandeaska Avionics, is a manufacturer of civilian.

Founded in 1987 by Kodruț Romanesku, Kandeaska Avionics is one of the Modrovia's premier civil aviation corporations. Best known for its cheap, rugged utility aircraft, the company has seen rapid growth and now employs 3,582 people (as of 2018). Kandeaska Avionics offers a wide range of aircraft, from bush planes to short-haul freight aircraft to private jets. It is headquartered in the city of Karlovi, Modrovia with aircraft production centered in Orlobem.

1980 to early 2000s
Kodruț Romanesku was an aerospace engineer at Yunkar Aeronautjka S.A., another aircraft manufacturer in Modrovia. Having long built aircraft from kits in his garage, Kodrut wanted to have a simple, cheap, bare-bones aircraft that'd be easy for students to fly. With the aid of his son, Danjel Romanesku, the two set out, refining design after design and eventually founded Kândeaska Avjonjcă S.A. in 1988, looking to make a living off their hobby.

After producing several unsuccessful lines of kit planes, in 1990, Kandeaska Avionics was able to get off the ground. They submitted falsified documents to Costache Agrjcultură S.A, appearing as a large and experienced company, and won a crop dusting aircraft contract with the KDA-21. This provided sufficient funding and recognition to boost the company into credibility. They fulfilled the contract, and proceeded to develop a successful bush plane/trainer from their crop duster design, the KDA-1. The company's formula for reliability was able to propel them to success and fuel the company's growth in the 1980-1990s. With a significant investment from Adrjan Fjeraru, one of Kodrut Romanesku's former colleagues, Kandeaska Avionics was able to purchase larger facilities and hire many more employees.

However, Kodrut died in 1994, so his son Daniel took over. Still in his 30s, he brought a refreshing and exciting mindset to the company and was set on transforming Kandeaska. He launched the 99XNG program, modernizing the company to set it up for the 21st century. This program promised to deliver innovative and exciting new designs: aircraft developed under the 99XNG program would feature glass cockpits, usage of lightweight new materials, and include a lineup of newly developed, powerful engines. All new Kandeaska aircraft have been developed under the 99XNG program, bringing innovation, speed, and style to a company once known for plainness and simplicity.

The early 2000s was a period of rapid growth in the company. Sales of the KDA-9 and KDA-11 began to pick up, and the updated KDA-1 (the KDA-1 Super) and the KDAZ-15 'Orjzont' business jet were released. This enabled the company to purchase a massive factory in Orlobem, significantly increasing production.

KDA-1 Super
The KDA-1, released in 1991, is an extremely rugged aircraft. Tracing its roots back to the KDA-21, it is a two-seater with excellent low speed handling, short field performance, and good stall characteristics - the perfect bush plane or student trainer. Originally powered by a weak but reliable 171 in3 (2.8 L) 4-cylinder horizontally-opposed air cooled engine (67 hp/49.96 kW), it was able to take off in 115.6 m (379 ft). While only 53 of the original KDA-1s were sold, today they are extremely popular for these very characteristics. The truss fuselage is a welded steel construction covered in fabric.

The modernized KDA-1 Super (a.k.a. KDA-1F), reintroduced in 2003, features the same simplistic design. With a far more powerful 201 in3 (3.29 L) 4 cylinder engine developing 100 hp (74.57 kW), lengthened fuselage, redesigned wing with slots and flaps, and new tail section, it is tremendously more powerful. It can be fitted with conventional landing gear, skis, or floats. With these new features, the KDA-1 Super can take off in in 97 m (318 ft) while having capacity for two and plenty of luggage.

KDA-7
The KDA-7, released in 1994, is a light twin-engine aircraft with a sleek design. The first aircraft to be designed under the 99XNG program, it features a glass cockpit, fiberglass skin, seating for four to nine, and two 583 in3 (9.55 L), 315 hp (235 kW) direct drive flat-six engines. The versatile KDA-7 has seen widespread use as private aircraft, utility aircraft, and small commuter airliner, taking advantage of a generous 1,325 nmi (2,454 km/1,525 mi) range and a useful load of 2,085 lb (946 kg). Unlike previous aircraft, the KDA-7 is the first 'clean slate' aircraft, with a wholly new air frame and design.

KDA-9
The KDA-9, released in 1997, is a single-engined turboprop relative of the KDA-7. While it does feature 20% part commonality with the KDA-7 to reduce costs, it is largely a new design. It can carry 7-9 passengers 1,720 nmi (3,185 km/1,979 mi) with a powerful Kandeaska KTP-12 turboprop outputting 1,200 hp (890 kW). The pressurized air frame is made of carbon fiber and fiberglass with a curved teardrop shape, allowing for an impressive top speed of 325 kn (374 mph/602 km/h). This, combined with an intuitive glass cockpit and well-appointed, luxurious interior has made the KDA-9 a popular choice for corporate buyers.

External Link
Official Website