Italy – headquartered training aircraft manufacturer Blackshape unveiled its new Prime Xplorer taildragger variant at Aero Friedrichshafen 2025, signaling a renewed commercial strategy under new leadership and a focused push into the U.S. and global training markets with its Gabriel trainer aircraft.
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Blackshape launched the Prime Xplorer light sport aircraft in response to demand from the U.S. market.
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The introduction aligns with CEO Niccolo Chierroni’s strategy to scale production to two aircraft per month by early 2026.
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The company has delivered over 100 aircraft to date, including 80+ Prime units and around 20 Gabriel BK160-200s.
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Gabriel, its flagship trainer, is targeting commercial and military introductory flight training markets globally.
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US certification of the Gabriel was achieved in June 2024, and deliveries began late last year.
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Blackshape appointed BravoFox in Indiana as its first U.S. distributor and plans to establish a legal subsidiary in the country.
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Key product upgrades include:
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A more powerful Prime variant with a Rotax 915 engine
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A Gabriel model with a Rotax engine capable of operating on mogas for emerging markets
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Planned collaboration with CMD for a hybrid-electric Prime
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Design enhancements under study for the Gabriel include a taller bubble canopy, aerobatic turboprop variant, and a side-by-side cockpit layout.
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The company is considering relocating its manufacturing operations from Monopoli to Grottaglie to improve integration with flight testing and aerospace industry partners.
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A major priority is the expansion of its global aftersales support and maintenance network to better serve its growing fleet.
Statements:
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“This is an aircraft that the [US] market was asking for,” said CEO Niccolo Chierroni. “We are in negotiations with customers worldwide and are confident of receiving dozens of [Gabriel] orders this year.”
Source: Blackshape
Photo Credit: Blackshape