Oberaigner Aerospace attended the 2012 AOPA Shanghai International General Aviation Show held during Aug. 28-30 in Shanghai, China and exhibited a model of its new generation business aircraft on the show. Mr. Juergen Schluemer, Head of Design Aerospace, was very kind by accepting this interview with WCARN.com and sharing his views on the development of the new generation business airplane and his expectations of finding new business partners in China.

WCARN.com: Thanks for accepting our interview, Mr. Juergen Schluemer. Can you introduce us about the function and the specification of the new generation business aircraft you company is developing?

Mr. Juergen Schluemer: Right now we are developing this new aircraft. It's a new aircraft concept, that's the name of it. It's an aircraft totally designed and built from carbon and fiber that means new materials. We've got the development of a new engine which is cheaper and lighter, and we'll have the modernest aircraft interior.

WCARN.com: As a leading specialist in designing and production of automotive components, Oberaigner is now engaged in the field of developing business aircraft, what advantages do you have?

Mr. Juergen Schluemer: That's a different part. The idea is from our founder Mr. Wilhelm Oberaigner. He is the owner of Oberaigner, an automotive company. He is very successful over the last 15 years with automotive. And he is also a private pilot, and the idea is to build his own airplane. This was his big vision since years.

Right now, we are engaged in developing this airplane. This will be an aircraft for the general aviation - 8 seater with two engines, and each of the engine provides 450 Horse Power.

WCARN.com: Is there a clear schedule for the new generation business aircraft?

Mr. Juergen Schluemer: We have to finish the first prototype at the end of 2015. Then we need two years to certify the airplane, so the plane is to start its first series production in 2017. That is our schedule right now.

WCARN.com: As we all know, the competition in the business aviation market is very fierce, so how do you open up the market?

Mr. Juergen Schluemer: We can open up a new market with a new airplane and new concept. All the other airplanes in this sector are more than 40 years old which include Cessna, or whatever. They sell airplanes with a technology 35 or 40 years old.

This airplane has some new advantages. We'll build a lighter airplane because carbon and fiber is a little bit lighter than aluminum. We'll use this new engine that is not very expensive. It's more fuel-efficient and energy-saving. So this is the difference between this new airplane and the plane what we are flying right now with engines 40 years old.

WCARN.com: As we all know, China has become one of the fastest growing business aircraft markets. Now there are about 163 registered business aircraft in China, sharing 18% of the number of business aircraft in Asia. As one of the most promising markets, China expects to introduce more than 600 business aircraft in the next decade, so do you see a big potential here in the Chinese market?

Mr. Juergen Schluemer: Sure, I see the big potential here. That's one of the reasons why we're trying to get connect with Chinese people and Chinese companies to learn all these possibilities, to sell airplanes after 2017 or 2018, and also to produce maybe some parts here in China if Chinese companies are interested to do this and to help us create this new airplane, why not?

WCARN.com: What are the target customers of your new generation business aircraft?

Mr. Juergen Schluemer: That's normal business aviation market with companies need an airplane in this size, transporting 8 people between different countries and between different companies, or whatever. That's one market also for the private pilot market. That's the size of an airplane for the general aviation, 8 seater, not too heavy, not too expensive.

WCARN.com: Thanks for your time, Mr. Juergen Schluemer.