Quicksilver Aeronautics hired Cesar Diaz Perez as its new sales director, the Temecula, Calif.-based company announced yesterday at the Sun ’n’ Fun Fly-In. Diaz has experience in aircraft sales in Asia, Latin America and Europe, markets in which Quicksilver seeks to increase its presence. He is also fluent in Spanish, Chinese and English, and has studied French and Italian. Diaz replaces Todd Ellefson, who will become a dealer in Rochester, Minn., and continue supporting the Quicksilver factory in technical matters.

Quicksilver Aeronautics has more than 15,000 of its kitbuilt aircraft flying in nearly 100 countries, but it plans to have a certified light-sport aircraft (LSA) by early next year. “After final acceptance by FAA [following an audit in December 2014], we are prepared to swiftly put the Sport 2S into production as a fully built aircraft,” said Quicksilver Aeronautics president Will Escutia.

To facilitate production of the Sport 2S, Quicksilver Aeronautics plans to create “extensions”—manufacturing locations other than the headquarters factory—which is allowed under LSA regulations. However, the company must maintain full quality control over these extensions. While LSA manufacturers can pursue this method, no other company has done so yet.

Ellefson’s dealership will also be certified as an assembly center for the Sport 2S Special LSA to serve customers in North-Central U.S. A second assembly “extension” facility will be set up in Louisiana, and more such centers will be established based on demand.