According to 
OK, let's come back to Earth… or water perhaps …or either. Aero Adventure continues to fly as it has for three decades (though management has changed at least three times over the period). For a tiny fraction of $13.5 million, much less $170 million, Aero Adventure has built a line of aircraft, including kit versions and an SLSA version. They've also offered the 
The U.S. operation of Aero Affinity ranges widely through the light aircraft space and has entered somewhat larger aviation, no doubt a good direction to be going as we contemplate Mosaic LSA that require new expertise for equipment like retractable gear, adjustable props, alternate propulsion systems, and more. Last year Alex took factory training by 
As to affordability
To hold prices from soaring even higher, this move by Aero Adventure makes economic sense. I'd bet they can also add new sales from South America.
Regardless of price questions, Aero Adventure appears to be one of the steadiest producers in the LSA seaplane sector along with Scoda Aeronautica and their 
Here’s the backdrop of today’s update on the LSA seaplane sector as summer approaches. According to Law360, an online legal news source, “Light-Sport Aircraft manufacturer Icon Aircraft filed for Chapter 11 protection in Delaware bankruptcy court with more than $170 million in debt and plans for an asset sale and liquidation.” You may have read (here) that Icon got an initial offer of $13.5 million. As an industry contact told me for the earlier report, “That would hardly make a dent in their liabilities.” The person was right, it appears. A proposed new buyer referenced in the earlier article agreed to take on Icon’s debt but the sales must still go through an auction process, I was told. OK, let’s come back to Earth… or water perhaps …or either. Aero Adventure continues to fly as it has for three decades (though management has changed at least three times over the period).
LSA seaplanes constitute a highly fluid market yet we can see clues suggesting what might be ahead for some of the main brands. With summertime approaching, this State-of-the-Sector article attempts to keep up with the rapidly changing landscape (or waterscape).
We'll first look at two high-end entries that have been in the news and conclude with present LSA seaplanes and their status in the market.
Russ continued, "Founder Paul Vickers said the company is now raising capital to fund the push to begin deliveries on its backlog."
Vickers added, "The plane has finished its flight testing and shook out with a 120-knot cruise and useful load of 750 pounds with a Rotax 916 iS pushing it along."
Paul said the company is planning to manufacture Wave in the U.S. "Most current investors are Americans," Paul noted. A U.S. customer will receive the first Wave.
Wave has had a long development cycle but their timing with Mosaic approaching next year looks prescient.
“The decision to designate a stalking horse bidder underscores our commitment to ensuring the long-term viability of our business,” said Jerry Meyer, CEO of Icon. “We believe that this proactive approach will help employees, partners, and customers have confidence in our ongoing operations, enabling the company to achieve the best possible outcome.”
Icon reported that during their bankruptcy process the California company will continue to build, sell, and service its amphibious A5 LSA seaplane. The company noted the bankruptcy sale is expected to continue through late May 2024.
Icon announced more promising news
However, Searey won 
According to a party I know to be reliable, new buyers are ready and have proposed to reacquire the onetime American company. Even original designer Kerry Ritcher is said to be part of the group interested in taking over from the Chinese. While plans remain uncertain, an American group could quickly breathe life back into a moribund brand. In recent years, the company's appearance at airshows was modest and unenthusiastic. Over the last year, no one has answered the phones. Now the factory is shuttered.
Under lock without access, Progressive Aerodyne is reportedly packed into containers in their former factory, while the rent continues unpaid. It looks dire, but a moderately-well-funded investor group could get up and running fairly quickly, it was imagined. The parts business alone has sustained the company and offers a route back to normal operation; reviving that would be a relief to current Searey owners. Action will depend on current ownership making a decision; when that may happen is not known.
Yet combined with the original talent that created this popular LSA seaplane, new investors could quickly brighten those cloudy skies.
The lightest-of-SLSA-seaplanes 
"The company owes several million dollars to creditors and customers," a reliable source told me. "Employees have voiced concerns and some are taking action." Seamax leaders have reportedly managed to keep their core team using "informal payments."
"In North America, the Brazilian company allegedly has more than a dozen orders to fulfill, to customers that have made substantial deposits." The prognosis for those deliveries is unknown, though the company reportedly delivered one aircraft to America recently using unorthodox channels.
While “buyer beware” is always good advice, one thing I've learned from decades of reporting on this particular sector of aviation: Never write off a worthy design as dead and gone. I've seen many popular aircraft such as Seamax return after internal reforms or under new leadership..
Let's do this up front: the price of a ready-to-ship kit is $59,900. It's available today.
"Due to enhancements in our production capabilities," Aero Adventure stated in a recent mailing, "we produced an additional kit beyond our standard production last month (April, 2024), which is now available for purchase!"
Compare a low price and immediate delivery to any of the aircraft above. It seems like an earlier time when people could actually afford stuff and dealers had products in-stock, ready to deliver. Of course, you'll have to add an engine, avionics, and you might want to doll up the interior but the base price is righteous.
For not much more than $100,000 you could be airborne in a brand-new, well-proven seaplane from a stable manufacturer that is growing their enterprise. Given almost everything you buy has doubled in price during the 2020s, Aventura seems a genuine bargain in 2024.
If you believe it's worth a closer look, 
I have often written about many seaworthy aircraft and invite you to 
A5 is built at the company’s 300,000 square foot facility in Tijuana, Mexico, an area the company said has become known for composite manufacturing for aerospace, automotive, powersports, and other high-tech industries. Icon’s facility, which employs more than 250 technicians and engineers, produces between four to five airplanes each month with space to scale.
"Vickers has commenced our flight testing program with Wave, wth the aircraft performing and handling as expected," announced company namesake and designer Paul Vickers. "The test pilot reported the hull is amazing and the Wave lands beautifully."
You see a long probe on the nose of the Wave. Paul said, "This allows us to easily adjust the center of gravity (CG) range and achieve the forwardmost CG." Such weight and balance changes are customary when doing flight envelope evaluations. As the video demonstrates, the pilot is growing quite comfortable with Wave.
"We are 13 years into the development of the Wave," noted Paul. "Our manufacturing facilities are complete, and initial deliveries are scheduled. We are releasing a few early delivery positions at each milestone and offering some great benefits to our early adopters."
Vickers Aircraft believes "Wave offers a unique combination of innovative features, performance, and safety." Interested parties are encouraged to 
Wayne and Kerry Richter started the company and created several designs including the flagship Searey. The Ritchers operated Progressive Aerodyne for two decades before selling to Adam Yang in 2011. Six years later, Adam sold a majority interest to Chinese investors and new management was installed.
News is sparse, as is common in such situations, but at last report Kerry indicated he was working the problem. Two days ago, Kerry posted on Facebook about his visit to China. One can hope he makes some headway for this popular design that has served more than 600 deeply-loyal customers to date.
Searey is definitely a benchmark design in the space with the longest history and the largest fleet.
With regret, I was forced to remove advertisements for both companies despite each supporting this website for many years. Not only were bills unpaid but repeated requests for communication, using multiple means of contact, all went unheeded. Until the lack of response is solved interested parties should be cautious and inquire carefully.
I'm an optimist and hope both brands settle their issues and return to market. I've flown Searey and Seamax and loved them both for their best qualities. I hope for better news to report.
Who cares about boats (or seaplanes) in the dead of winter? Well, what better way to endure icy streets and frigid temperatures than to go look at boats and dream of using them come summer — Plan Ahead!
As with airplanes, boats can't be built overnight, so ordering early ensures that when the lakes finally do open up, fun starts quickly thereafter.
The company's Aventura II seaplane "is a versatile aircraft that is designed for recreational and commercial purposes, with safety requirements." Alex listed several worthy reasons to consider their Aventura:
Water Operations: "This allows for access to remote locations," wrote Alex, "including the ability to explore areas that are difficult to reach by other means of transportation, providing you with a beautiful experience, different from any other airplane operation!"
I add an argument that landable bodies of water outnumber airports by at least ten times and if you include every body of water that might permit an emergency landing, the number goes off the charts. You can safely land an amphibious seaplane in many more places.
Short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability: "Aventura II seaplane can take off and land in relatively short distances, making it useful for operations in areas with limited runway space." See specifications below.
Durability and reliability: "Aventura is built with high-quality materials and is designed to withstand the rigors of operating in various environments."
Safety: "Aventura models are equipped with multiple safety features and are designed to meet or exceed industry safety standards, besides a faultless history of accidents. This airplane never had a structural failure in more than 20 years of operation," reported Alex.
Utility: "Aventura II an be used for a variety of purposes, such as recreation, sightseeing, fishing, wildlife observation, and more."
In early 2023, prices start at $60,000 for an Aventura II kit. The factory can walk you through numerous options or features you may want to provide a more specific price and time availability. However, Alex presently states that kits are available in four months.
An Aventura LSA starts at $119,900. Kit versions are available in six months. A fully built model needs a direct quote from the producer. Various types of equipment can be fitted. Aventura II models are available as a kit, an "assisted" kit, a fully-built Special LSA model or you could elect an Experimental LSA, for example, if you want to do all you own maintenance.
Lots of pilots love seaplanes or the idea of float flying but once they confront the cost of buying such an aircraft, they may be discouraged. Aero Adventure puts the "affordable" back in seaplanes with their Aventura line. They have higher powered two seater, too, but the Aventura I single seat, Part 103-capable model can get airborne for $32,000. Among new seaplanes that is a special bargain.
https://youtu.be/Plf7F0YIhR4
Consider this. Even today, in 2021, you can buy a complete Aventura kit for something north of $50,000. While that will be a basic machine and while you'll spend hours building it — an activity many find highly satisfying — you must put that pricing in perspective.
Go online and look for a seaplane, any seaplane you can find. First, you won't find many as demand for amphibian versatility has remained strong for decades. Second, even a worn-out legacy GA airplane with an engine approaching overhaul mounted on rather banged-up floats will cost dramatically more than the same airplane on wheels. Really! Go look for yourself; I'll wait.
Indeed, the most basic kit Aventura can cost little more than fifty grand — for the whole aircraft, engine, boat hull, everything — where floats alone for a Cessna 172, for example, may cost the same.
Of course, a fully-built Light-Sport Aircraft meeting all FAA acceptance requirements will cost more. Aero Adventure — as with every other company selling a Special LSA — must …provide full part tracking in perpetuity …keep all customer records and be prepared to contact them if any safety actions are required …keep many parts separated from components for non-FAA-accepted aircraft (kits), keep up with ASTM standards and assure continuous operational safety monitoring …maintain factory "best practices" involving such detail as a written log of torque-wrench calibrations …and take many other actions intended to ensure these "sanctioned" aircraft remain airworthy machines for their owners. If you think all this is easy, you don't understand the task.
All that monitoring and mandatory activity costs money and will be reflected in Aventura SLSA's selling price. However, I'm willing to bet you lunch at my favorite restaurant that this will still be the most reasonably priced aircraft among seaplanes. Care to take the bet?
Aventura SLSA will be offered for sale for the first time at the upcoming 
