TheSaunders Aircraft Company was a Canadianaircraft manufacturer, originally based inMontreal before moving toGimli,Manitoba.

Saunders Aircraft Company was founded in 1968 by David Saunders inMontreal,Quebec, as a privately financed enterprise. The company ran short of funds and production space at the same time as the Canadian government closed its airbase inGimli,Manitoba. Theprovincial government of Manitoba, in an effort to encourage industry in the province, promised Saunders funding if they would move to Gimli; the company agreed. By 1970, the government had given the company $37 million. The company produced thirteen of itsSaunders ST-27 aircraft, which were convertedde Havilland Herons. The company then began work on the ST-28, intended to be a commuter/taxi aircraft, also based on the Heron. The first ST-28 flew in December 1975. Shortly thereafter, the government of Manitoba withdrew funding. At its peak, the company employed 500; by 1976, the company was reduced to around 10 employees as a result of the loss of funding.^[1]

• 1968 establishments in Manitoba
• Defunct aircraft manufacturers of Canada
• Companies based in Manitoba
• Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1968
• Gimli, Manitoba

• Articles with short description
• Short description matches Wikidata
• Use dmy dates from March 2021