Another airplane manufacturer takes wing in Washington’s skies

One year after first flight, a new aircraft manufactured by Glasair of Arlington — the two-seater Merlin for the weekend flying enthusiast — has been certified by the FAA for sale as a finished plane. For now, its manufacturing process is more artisanal than industrial.

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The very first Merlin, at right, Thursday, April 7, 2016, in Arlington. Glasair manufactures this new plane, the two-seater Merlin, which received FAA certification.

Seattle Times aerospace reporter.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently certified a composite airplane built in Washington state, just a year after its first flight. It’s not a Boeing airliner.

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The Merlin, a two-seater fun airplane for weekend recreational fliers who can afford its $150,000 price tag, is just 22 feet long with a wingspan of 32 feet.

Yet it’s a huge step for Glasair Aviation, located among a bunch of other small aviation businesses at the sleepy municipal airport in Arlington. It’s only the third Washington company with a current FAA airworthiness certificate, allowing sales of finished aircraft.

Read the full story on The Seattle Times website.

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VIAThe Seattle Times
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Omar Filipovic
Omar Filipovic is president of the Glasair Aircraft Owners Association as well as the chief tinkerer and content editor for this website. He is also the web editor for Kitplanes Magazine. Omar is building a GlaStar in Portland, Oregon.