Tiger Builder Upbeat

True Flight Industries is continuing to develop plans to produce a modern incarnation of the Grumman Tiger at a plant in Valdosta, Ga. President Kevin Lancaster says interest remains strong in the sporty four seater with the unique sliding canopy. "I get people saying to me all the time that they can't understand why the airplane hasn't stayed in production," Lancaster said. The next Tigers will come with glass cockpits and more power is being considered. Lancaster said he hopes to end the stop-and-go production of the aircraft with some innovative approaches to its revival.

Lancaster's background will help with that. His specialty is taking underperforming companies and restoring them to profitability. He and his partners have revived numerous businesses in recent years, he said. "The most important thing is the product and if you have a good product you can sell it," he said. "The Tiger is a good product." Lancaster bought the assets from the former Tiger Aircraft Corp. which went out of business after its Taiwanese backers lost interest in the project.