Quest Aircraft

The  Quest Aircraft Company was an American aircraft manufacturer located in Sandpoint, Idaho. Quest was started in 2001 to design and provide aircraft suitable for domestic and international humanitarian applications. Its sole product ws the Kodiak single engine short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft.

In February 2015, the company was sold to Setouchi Holdings of Japan. Setouchi had been acting as a dealer for Quest and as a result of that relationship decided to purchase the company. In 2019, it was sold to the French industrial group Daher.

History
The earliest origins of Quest Aircraft can be traced back to 1998, when Idaho Air Group was founded by Tom Hamilton and David Voetmann. Tom and David saw a need to develop an aircraft uniquely suited to the rugged flying environment found in humanitarian aviation. After raising the necessary funding, the Quest Aircraft Company launched in 2001 with a staff of 14. After a 27,000 square foot facility was dedicated in 2002, work started on the first prototype aircraft, which led to the production of the Quest Kodiak turboprop.

Paul Schaller became CEO of the company in 2004, and by 2009 the employment force was 340 people.

Following a soft economy, in 2010 the workforce was reduced to 155 employees, but 2011 saw a fresh infusion of capital and a change in executive leadership as Schaller migrated to a consulting role in the company.

Sam Hill was the CEO from 2012 to January 2017, after previous experience at Embraer Aircraft Corporation and Honda Aircraft Company.

In February 2015, the company was purchased by Setouchi Holdings, part of the Tsuneishi Group of Japan.

In June 2016, the company's headquarters was expanded by  to bring the main facility to . A  research and development hangar  was also completed.

In January 2017, Robert H. Wells was named CEO, having been in management at Tag Aviation, Beechcraft and Landmark Aviation.

On June 13, 2019, French aircraft manufacturer Daher, announced its acquisition of Quest Aircraft from Setouchi Holdings. The deal was completed by October 1, 2019, after which Quest was renamed Kodiak Aircraft and then absorbed into the parent company.

Products
 Quest Kodiak

See also
 List of companies based in Idaho

References
 Marsh, Alton K. AOPA Pilot 2006

External links

 CAM Case Study of Quest Kodiak

Category:Aircraft manufacturers of the United States
Category:Companies based in Idaho
Category:2004 establishments in Idaho