Training Aircraft Manufacturer Blackshape Targets Training Market Growth with New Models and US Focus

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.

Blackshape launched the Prime Xplorer light sport aircraft in response to demand from the U.S. market.The introduction aligns with CEO Niccolo Chierroni’s strategy to scale production to two aircraft per month by early 2026.The company has delivered over 100 aircraft to date, including 80+ Prime units and around 20 Gabriel BK160-200s.Gabriel, its flagship trainer, is targeting commercial and military introductory flight training markets globally.US certification of the Gabriel was achieved in June 2024, and deliveries began late last year.Blackshape appointed BravoFox in Indiana as its first U.S. distributor and plans to establish a legal subsidiary in the country.Key product upgrades include:A more powerful Prime variant with a Rotax 915 engineA Gabriel model with a Rotax engine capable of operating on mogas for emerging marketsPlanned collaboration with CMD for a hybrid-electric PrimeDesign enhancements under study for the Gabriel include a taller bubble canopy, aerobatic turboprop variant, and a side-by-side cockpit layout.The company is considering relocating its manufacturing operations from Monopoli to Grottaglie to improve integration with flight testing and aerospace industry partners.A major priority is the expansion of its global aftersales support and maintenance network to better serve its growing fleet.

Statements:

“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: BlackshapePhoto Credit: Blackshape