Seaplane fans represent one of aviation’s most enthusiastic user groups and few brands can claim more reliable loyalty than 600 owners give SeaRey. The central Florida producer got numerous owners to come help them move when they relocated into expansive new quarters in Tavares, Florida, which has claimed the title of “America’s Seaplane City.” Even the building was financed by SeaRey owners for the benefit of the manufacturer. With that kind of backing a new leader of the enterprise begins on solid footing. *** From the beginning, Progressive Aerodyne (PA), developer and builder of the SeaRey line has been directed by the Richter family. New CEO and Chairman, Adam Yang, assumed control of PA on May 9th, 2011. Here’s what he had to say: “Kerry Richter, the founder of Progressive Aerodyne, remains as President and principal designer and will be focusing his energy on R&D, company strategy and customer relationships. Joining the team as General Manager is Joe Friend.
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SeaRey Sales Prove Popularity of Amphibians
Progressive Aerodyne and their popular SeaRey amphibian represent a current-day success sufficient to generate envy in most airframe sellers. Consider these results: Searey delivered 31 kits in 2010, an average 2.5 per month during a lousy year. Plus, in just three weeks since Sebring another 14 SeaRey kits have been ordered, upping the monthly average to 4.0. True those SeaReys are Experimental Amateur Built (EAB) kit models and so don’t compare directly with SLSA sales. *** In less than three years, company spokesman and sales director Darrell Lynds (formerly with SportairUSA) took the company from one kit a month to its current pace, along the way building a list of 1,700 very interested potential buyers. He says his 2011 orders are cash-in-hand and projects a solid year for the amphibious seaplane producer. This adds to a remarkably loyal following of 600 SeaRey aircraft builders. How can the central Florida manufacturer be doing so well?
New SeaRey Factory at “Seaplane City” Tavares, FL
Recently, I blogged about a Tennessee town that welcomed Skykits from Canada, providing a brand-new facility for them to use. A town in Florida also saw the potential of a light aircraft manufacturer and had a new building with lake access available. *** Arguably the most successful light aircraft seaplane producer is Progressive Aerodyne and their SeaRey amphibian. How successful? In January, they delivered SeaRey kit #500 to its owner in Belgium. That impressive number doesn’t tell the whole story, which centers around the tight community of SeaRey builders who often help each other and not solely with builder questions. In my years in aviation, I’ve never seen a closer group but then, as a fellow seaplane lover, that doesn’t surprise me; seaplane aviators share a common bond. Now, the SeaRey team is working hard to finish their SLSA version, giving enthusiasts a chance to buy a ready-to-fly SeaRey or a kit.
New SeaRey: Popular Amphib Goes LSA
Let’s be honest. We’re into flying because we enjoy the experience,
right? Flying light, sporting aircraft is not about flying to work
or transporting goods or people. And if enjoyment is the main
flying goal, then seaplanes are a big part of that pleasure.
Of the LSA-qualified seaplanes covered this year (FPNA Cape Town A-
22 and Airmax SeaMax), the SeaRey is more familiar to readers of Light
Sport and Ultralight Flying magazine and more affordable. The SeaRey
is familiar because of its past in this community. It’s built and it flies as
you’d expect, more so than some $135,000 carbon fiber speedster. It also
costs a great deal less and it’s available as a kit to save even more
dough.
Make no mistake. The SeaRey
LSX (the Experimental-LSA kit
version) and the SeaRey Sport
(the fully-built version in latter
stages of certification) are
advanced light planes, by which I
mean SeaRey has developed significantly
from its simpler 2-
stroke-powered early models.
SeaRey… American-Made Amphibian
SeaRey Sets a New Standard for Floatplanes
Many pilots who have flown in water-borne aircraft believe this is the
finest and most enjoyable flying one can do.
If that statement holds water (is true), then the beautiful SeaRey amphibian
from Florida-based Progressive Aerodyne should be one of the most desirable
aircraft you can buy.
Pilots have spoken with their money. Since it arrived on the market in 1992,
the SeaRey has sold in increasing numbers each year.
Three years of Progressive Aerodyne history hardly tells the story behind
the SeaRey. A father and son ownership team, Wayne and Kerry Richter have
long experience in this business producing many hundreds of amphibious
ultralights.
The Richters were principals in a company called Advanced Aviation best
known for its amphib sea plane called the Buccaneer. After another designer
made the first single place Buccaneer, Kerry Richter made his name with a
two place model.
SeaRey Reports Superb Oshkosh; Who Will Get #100?
We sit on the edge of hitting triple digits of Special Light-Sport Aircraft. Just before Oshkosh started, Van’s Aircraft announced their RV-12 qualified for SLSA airworthiness (which also allows the Oregon company to sell ELSA kits). People have started to ask, “Who will offer Number 100 SLSA?” One possibility is the SeaRey from Progressive Aerodyne. *** SeaRey marketing man, Darrell Lynds reported a spectacular Oshkosh event, “We sold 11 kit SeaRey aircraft (the LSX) and four SLSA versions to be called the SeaRey Sport.” That represents quite a performance, causing me to inquire what amount of money changed hands in order to call these an order. “We collected $5,000 toward a kit and $10,000 on a fully-built SLSA,” explained Darrell. I’d call that enough cash per airplane to make for genuine orders. *** I spoke with many sellers at Oshkosh who reported “very solid leads,” and “genuinely interested buyers,” but a few complained that despite these positive comments, they were not seeing the cash.
SeaRey LSX; Popular U.S. Seaplane Launching SLSA
Seaplane enthusiasts comprise a niche of American aviation but are some of the most passionate of all powered aircraft pilots. Among these, owners of almost 500 SeaRey aircraft belong to one of the tightest knit communities I’ve seen. Kerry and Wayne Richter, the son and father team that gave birth to the SeaRey (and several other models) have quietly built one of the strongest brands in light seaplanes… and now they are moving into the Special Light-Sport Aircraft space with their new LSX. Kerry says the new model, while visually similar to earlier SeaReys, possesses no fewer than 78 new or revised features including a custom interior and complete rework of the panel. *** I flew with Kerry in the new machine from my Florida home base at Spruce Creek Fly-in. We hopped LSX over to a nearby lake and Kerry executed a couple perfect water landings.
Changing LSA Seaplane Market — Vickers Wave Progress Update — Others, Hmmm…?
Winter is coming, so naturally, it’s time to start thinking about seaplanes… right? It always seems weird to write about water-based activities as frost begins to envelop the northern two-thirds of the country. Yet winter is when all the big boat shows happen because buying new vessels requires advance planning. It’s also pleasant to think about spring and summer while snow flurries fly.
For many years I’ve written about this sector and names like Searey, Seamax, and Aventura (all in nearby image) have long been the leading brands. Now the first two are in financial trouble and the last has decamped to Brazil from Florida. Whatever is going on, Vickers Wave may represent a breath of fresh air.
In articles last fall and this spring, I gave overviews of the entire LSA seaplane market (read here or here).
Vickers Wave Update
Vickers previously noted, “Wave has finished its flight testing, resulting in a 120-knot cruise and useful load of 750 pounds powered by a Rotax 916iS (reviewed here).”
“A frequently asked question I receive is, ‘What is taking so long?’,” begins Paul Vickers.
AOPA To Get New Prez in 2025
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has announced a successor to current president Mark Baker, who is set to retire at year’s end. In his place comes Darren Pleasance. The association notes that this is only the sixth president in its history, dating back to 1939. Baker has been on the job for more than 11 years. Somebody buy that man a beer!
AOPA notes that Pleasance has more than 8000 hours in 50 different types and currently owns three airplanes: A Piper Meridian, a Van’s RV-6 and a Progressive Aerodyne SeaRey.
“I’m honored with the opportunity I’m being given to help steward AOPA forward into the future, and I’m inspired by the role AOPA will continue to play in protecting our freedom to fly,” says Pleasance. “I’m grateful for the privilege I’m being given to lead this incredible organization that has had such a positive impact on my life and the lives of all of us who love aviation.”
Pleasance joins AOPA at a time when there are pressures across the spectrum, from finding a leaded-fuel replacement to rapidly rising aircraft-ownership costs.
If It Flies Like a Duck and Floats Like a Duck, Maybe It IS a Duck
Article Updated July 17, 2024 — After this article was posted, Miguel Rosario reported, “Duck is still in tests. Now we will install a 912 ULS 80-horsepower engine, as requested by future customers.” He continued, “Molds are under construction for production, which we hope to start in three months” (approximately October 1, 2024). He finished, “I will keep you updated on all developments regarding Duck.” —DJ
You probably know Seamax. This longtime, performance-oriented LSA seaplane was one of the first to make a splash in the U.S. light aircraft market way back in December, 2007.
Today, regretfully, the Seamax company is going through some very difficult circumstances as noted in this State of the Seaplane Sector report. We don’t know the end of those stories yet.
Nonetheless, Seamax M-22 designer Miguel Rosario remains active. You can’t keep a good man down but apparently you can keep him on the water.
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