Certification Program Funding

Kimberton (PA) based Seawind says it has received funding to complete the certification process for its amphibian single-engine aircraft. The company says this new funding will also allow it to set up manufacturing operations.

The announcement was made by company president Richard Silva at a Tuesday morning news conference at EAA AirVenture. The funding problem that had delayed both certification and production has been solved, he said and the Seawind should complete all certification requirements in 2005.

So just how did Silva and company solve Seawind's funding crisis? Silva said a Canadian government loan guarantee spurred investment from private sources, which provided the inflow of cash.

In a joint venture between Transport Canada (where the actual certification work is being done) and FAA, the Seawind's application for certification is being processed in both countries. Canadian certification is in accordance with Part 523 criteria. Seawind expects to receive FAA Part 23 certification simultaneously, but Silva didn't specify the date.

Flight Dynamics Corporation of Quebec is doing the heavy-lifting in engineering the Seawind prototype.

The Seawind is a 4/5 place amphibious airplane, single engine (tractor type), with retractable gear. Factory specifications peg the gross weight at 3,400 lbs. Equipped empty weight is 2,300 - 2,350 pounds.

The aircraft is powered by a Lycoming IO-450 with a Hartzell Scimitar constant speed 3 blade prop. Main fuel tanks hold 74 US gallons, with extended range tanks offering another 36 US gallons. The manufacturer says the Seawind's top speed at sea level will be 200 mph. Its rate of climb 1,250 fpm and its stall speed is 72 mph. Takeoff distance (land) is 1,175 over a 50 obstacle. On water, it's 1,450 feet over the same obstical. As far as landing distance, Seawind says its aircraft will come to a stop in 1,300 ft on land, 1,150 on water (again, both over that ubiquitous 50 ft obstacle).

The company's sales office is located in Kimberton (PA). Seawind says it's now taking pre-production orders with all deposits being placed in interest-bearing escrow accounts. Total cost for a VFR Seawind is $290,000. The IFR model is priced at $320,000.

FMI www.seawind.net