In this time of bad news and economic slowdown, we are pleased to bring you some good news. The Seawind people don’t know how to give up, as a new flyer from the builders of that handsome amphibian tells us.
A year and a half after the flight test prototype’s test pilot crashed it and the company had to shut down operations, Seawind President Dick Silva has announced that the company has reorganized and has found the funding necessary to complete certification of the sleek, high performance amphibian. Silva said a group of investors has joined with a number of customer investors to provide the funding needed to resume the project.
After a thorough investigation had shown that there was no in-flight or other failure of the aircraft, the company set out on a difficult quest to find investors during very troubled economic times, but “It has finally paid off,” Silva said. “It will take us about three months to complete the second flight test aircraft, which was about two-thirds finished when we ceased operations.”
When asked how he managed to make this comeback when many people had counted Seawind out, Silva gave credit to the unique amphibian’s loyal following. “We have a group of dedicated order holders. Almost 60% of our order holders stuck with us for a year and a half. In addition, a number of them stepped up to the plate and invested in the company. We also have some very dedicated staff coming back to work, and a large following of loyal supporters.
“I don’t mind telling you of the devastating disappointment we felt when we had to shut down,” Silva said. “Then we started to receive encouraging calls and letters from literally hundreds of people from around the world, who inspired us to keep going.”
The reorganized operation will resume the certification effort to put Seawind in production as soon as the new flight test aircraft is available, Silva said.
For information: www.seawind.net, 610-384-7000, or [email protected]
