French general aviation manufacturer Aerojames could produce as many as 50 of its new all-composite Isatis 01 microlight aircraft a year within two years, according to the aircraft’s designer Philippe Baffray.

The first aircraft is due to be delivered in June and Baffray says that, while it will principally be used for leisure applications, it could also fulfil border control, surveillance, fire survey and maritime patrol functions. The 270kg (595lb) aircraft is powered by a BMW engine.

The first four aircraft are currently being built at Aerojames’ facility in Corsica. Once they are completed, the company will begin an international marketing campaign, targeting the USA, South Africa and the Middle East, among other regions, Baffray says. He predicts that five aircraft could be produced this year and 25 next year. The infrastructure is already in place to allow the aircraft’s production rate to grow to as many as 50 a year, or one a week, within two years, depending on the programme’s success.