Ryan will own the facility and lease it to Groen Brothers Aviation Inc. "The Hawk 4 Gyroplane is an exciting aircraft and we are proud to be building the facility that will produce it," says Bob Mulhurn, vice president of development for Ryan.

Come fourth quarter 2002, Groen Brothers will relocate from its existing headquarters in Salt Lake City. Up to four commercially viable gyroplanes will be manufactured each day at the plant. The production facility will incorporate the latest aircraft production technology, proprietary fabrication procedures and techniques as well as a cutting-edge computer numeric-control machining center.

"With this state-of-the-art production facility, Groen Brothers Aviation becomes a full-fledged modern aircraft manufacturer," says David Groen, Groen's president and CEO. The Hawk 4 is nearing the final stages of FAA certification. Groen Brothers Aviation has developed the first modern, commercially viable gyroplane, a hybrid aircraft with low operating cost and the off-runway operating capability of a helicopter. The plant will employee about 425 people.