15 Feb 2001
Ref: 019/2001
BAE Systems and the de Havilland Moth Club Ltd have signed an agreement to transfer the technical responsibility and customer support for a range of historic de Havilland aircraft. The agreement covers the family of Moth aircraft, Dragon Rapide / Dominie, Devon, Heron, Chipmunk and the Beaver, numbering around some 2,000 aircraft worldwide.
Negotiations between the Moth Club and BAE Systems Customer Solutions & Support group culminated in the agreement for hand-over to commence from April 2001. A new company, de Havilland Support Limited (DHS Ltd), has been formed, and will take on the responsibility under the recently appointed Chief Executive Officer, Group Captain Bill Taylor.
DHS Ltd will be supported by BAE Systems over the next three years to ensure that a seamless transfer is achieved and customer support maintained.
Dave Gardner, Group Engineering Director for BAE Systems commented:
"This is good news for the de Havilland Moth Club and owners of these historic aircraft. All through our discussions with the Club, we have been impressed with their commitment and professional attitude which will benefit all concerned.”
Stuart McKay, Secretary of the de Havilland Moth Club and General Manager of DHS Ltd, said after signing the agreement:
“We are delighted that BAE Systems has agreed to transfer the Technical Responsibility for these de Havilland aircraft to our new company. We have a team of professional and dedicated people committed to working with these aircraft. The Civil Aviation Authority is fully supportive of this agreement, and DHS Ltd are currently working to become a CAA approved organisation.
DHS Ltd is currently in an advanced state of negotiation with the Imperial War Museum (IWM) with the prospect of taking accommodation in an historic building at Duxford. This has very many advantages for all parties, and the IWM believes thiss confirmation of Duxford’s pre-eminence in the world of historic aviation.
