Yesterday, Lois and I signed the 'dotted line' and became the official New Zealand dealer for SKYLEADER aircraft. We formed a new company, Alpha Outdoors Ltd (my long-standing business name), although we will be trading as Sky Freedom Aviation for this new adventure with SKYLEADER.
Its been a long process, involving six months of negotiations with the JIHLAVAN airplanes company in Czech Republic. There's been many Skype calls with Lubomir Vit (their International Sales Manager) and lots of questions, hundreds of emails, not to mention conversations with dealers and owners of SKYLEADER aircraft in other countries. I'm glad I took the time to research about CAA requirements, market potential, importing process, etc - it gave me some sound advice and a wealth of information.
SKYLEADER's philosophy and values have impressed me, especially their relationships with dealers and customers. It was reassuring to find that Luba has a good understanding of 'things Kiwi', having lived in New Zealand on three occasions (for a total of 18 months) as a student, tourist and worker. He has been very patient with all my questions and more than willing to listen to what Kiwi owners might think.
Finally it was decision time.
I'm honoured to be the SKYLEADER dealer in NZ and am very excited about the future, although I realise that there's lots of hard work ahead.
Watch this space, as they say.
Its been a long process, involving six months of negotiations with the JIHLAVAN airplanes company in Czech Republic. There's been many Skype calls with Lubomir Vit (their International Sales Manager) and lots of questions, hundreds of emails, not to mention conversations with dealers and owners of SKYLEADER aircraft in other countries. I'm glad I took the time to research about CAA requirements, market potential, importing process, etc - it gave me some sound advice and a wealth of information.
SKYLEADER's philosophy and values have impressed me, especially their relationships with dealers and customers. It was reassuring to find that Luba has a good understanding of 'things Kiwi', having lived in New Zealand on three occasions (for a total of 18 months) as a student, tourist and worker. He has been very patient with all my questions and more than willing to listen to what Kiwi owners might think.
Finally it was decision time.
I'm honoured to be the SKYLEADER dealer in NZ and am very excited about the future, although I realise that there's lots of hard work ahead.
Watch this space, as they say.