Check Out The New Progressive Aerodyne Searey Elite and Searey Adventure at OSH Display #193
Progressive Aerodyne was founded in 1991 by Kerry Richter and his business partners, Wayne Richter and Paige Lynette. With a long family history of building ultralight amphibious aircrafts, the company took the opportunity to create a new amphibious aircraft design and named it the Searey. Thus, the Searey took form and began flying in November 1992.
The next year, the Searey Classic was introduced to the general public and was very well received, assuring two years worth of orders for the company and marking a place for the Searey name in aviation history. Since then, Progressive Aerodyne has enjoyed a dominant position in the light sport amphibious experimental aircraft market.
In January 2010, a significantly improved model, the Searey LSX, was introduced to the aviation community. This model has continued to gain international momentum. To date, close to 600 Searey Kits have been delivered to customers and over 500 are flying worldwide.
The company has continued to grow and increase its presence throughout the United States and internationally. It now has an established national and worldwide distribution network. Over the years, Searey amphibious airplanes have sparked a loyal following which has generated an international community of Searey owners and pilots around the globe.
In May 2010, the company moved their headquarters from Orlando to Tavares, Florida, known as 'America's Seaplane City', to facilitate its growth. A year later, Adam Yang, also a Searey pilot, owner, and builder, joined Progressive Aerodyne as CEO. Adam brought with him extensive experience in leadership and manufacturing operations from previous multinational corporations.
In June 2014, Searey expanded it global reach with the opening of its sales office in Shanghai, China, to support the sale of Searey Light Sport Amphibious Airplanes. The Searey was first presented to the China market at air shows in 2009, where interest in Searey airplanes was overwhelming. Since then, Progressive Aerodyne participated in subsequent air shows and invested in research and marketing in order to advance the Searey in China. The company is currently working with Chinese aviation authorities to gain certification of the Searey. The Shanghai office will manage all marketing and sales and work with government authorities in China.
Today Progressive Aerodyne in Tavares, Florida manufactures finished Searey seaplanes and is currently in full production of two configurations of Searey models, the Searey Adventure and the Searey Elite, both of which have received FAA certification for airworthiness. In addition, the company continues to manufacture Searey Kit Airplanes.
Did You Know? (Cool Facts About the Searey Elite and Adventure)
- Both are certified LSA amphibious aircraft.
- The SeaRey Adventure is powered By A Rotax 912, the Elite has a Rotax 914.
- Both aircraft are ADS-B compliant.
- Sliding canopies mean safest egress and open cockpit flying.
- The SeaRey Adventure has a 500lb useful load when equipped with the carbon fiber hull.
- Now available with analog instrumentation or Garmin G3X touch.
- Both aircraft have optional folding wings.
- A well-equipped Adventure starts at $119K. The Elite starts at $160K.
- Tailwheel flying boat configuration makes for easy beaching.
- 2017 is Progressive Aerodyne's 25th anniversary.
Progressive Aerodyne's Searey Keeps Making History!
- Aero-TV: Progressive Aerodyne Update - 25 Years of Amphibious Excellence
- Airborne 04.04.17: TruTrak AutoPilot, Dynon Update, New Seareys!
- Airborne 06.06.16: XCub Revealed!, AK Airport Tire Slashing, SpaceX Booster
- Aero-TV: An LSA Success Story – The Progressive Aerodyne SeaRey
- Aero-TV: Land, Sea, and Air - The 'Top Of The Line' SeaRey Elite
- Airborne 01.17.14: SeaRey Elite!, Santa Monica Admonished By FAA, Wrong-Way SWA
- Searey Light Sport Elite Amphibious Airplane Ready For Take Off
- Airborne 11.01.13: TBirds Get Full Sked, Hersman Sworn, Beech On Block?
- Richard Bach Reunited With His SeaRey 'Puff'
- Transitioning To LSA--Reconfiguring the SeaRey
- Richard Bach Finishes His Best-Known Work
- ANN Selects This Year's 'Flyer's Dozen' -- The Best SportPlanes Of The Year
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.16.24)
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