Alpha Aviation is an aircraft manufacturing company based in Hamilton

Hamilton, New Zealand

Hamilton is the centre of New Zealand's fourth largest urban area, and Hamilton City is the country's fourth largest territorial authority. Hamilton is in the Waikato Region of the North Island, approximately south of Auckland...

, New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

. It manufactures the Alpha 2000 range of light aircraft. The company was by Richard Izard to purchase the rights to Apex Aircraft

Apex Aircraft

Apex Aircraft is a French company devoted to light aeroplane manufacture. It markets three ranges of light aircraft which it brands Robin, Alpha and CAP...

's Alpha R2000 aircraft, originally manufactured by Avions Robin

Avions Robin

Avions Robin was a French manufacturer of light aeroplanes. It was previously known as Avions Pierre Robin and Centre Est Aeronautique. The company was bought by Apex Aircraft in 1988.-History:...

. Izard felt, it is reported, that this existing aircraft design could be substantially improved by the application of advanced production techniques and quality control. The aircraft is now being marketed as the 120T and 160A variants by Alpha (as well as the 160Ai, a 160A with a fuel-injected engine.)

The first aircraft manufactured (ZK-FXY) had its initial flight on April 12, 2006. The first production Alpha 160A aircraft (ZK-WKF and -WJH) entered service with Waikato Aero Club, based just across the road from Alpha at Hamilton Airport, in September/October 2006. Alpha expanded its production facilities in Hamilton, with an extension to the hangar being put in place in November 2006.

Liquidation

On January 23, 2008, Inventis Limited (Alpha Aviation's parent company) applied for some companies in the Alpha Aviation group to be placed in voluntary liquidation. They were placed in receivership by their bank later that day.

On June 23, 2009, it was announced that Alpha Aviation was sold to Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...

-based company, IXL

IXL

IXL can refer to any of the following:* Henry Jones IXL, an Australian manufacturer of jams and other foods* iXL , an American interactive agency during the late 1990s* IXL, Oklahoma* A railway interlocking...

 Limited, which intends to restart manufacturing planes at Alpha Aviation’s Hamilton Airport

Hamilton International Airport

For the airport in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, see Hamilton/John C. Munro International Airport.The Hamilton International Airport is an airport located in the Waikato region, in New Zealand...

-based factory.