WASHINGTON, DC, September 25, 2012 – The board of directors of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has approved Eurocopter and Nextant Aerospace as the association’s newest members. GAMA now has 80 member companies worldwide.

Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services.  Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group offers a comprehensive range of civil turbine helicopters available, from the five-seat EC120 light single to the 19-seat EC225 heavy twin.  Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet.  Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries.  Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports some 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,300 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 149 countries. Eurocopter offers a wide range of civil and military helicopters and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business.

Nextant Aerospace was founded in 2007 for the primary purpose of developing an aircraft modernization program.  The company is credited with being the first to introduce the concept of aircraft remanufacturing to the business jet market.  Their first production aircraft, the 400XT is delivered as a new aircraft with a full aircraft warranty.  Recently, the company opened their new design and manufacturing facility at the Cuyahoga County Airport in Cleveland, Ohio.  The new 125,000 square foot facility will support a maximum annual production rate of up to 48 aircraft.  Since unveiling the first production aircraft last October, the company has taken orders from 6 different countries around the world and will have completed 20 aircraft by the end of this month.