About Us

About SeaRey

Progressive Aerodyne manufactures two models of finished SeaRey S-LSA seaplanes: the Adventure and the Elite. Both received FAA airworthiness certification in 2014. Additionally, we manufacture the SeaRey LSX kit.

The company continues to grow and increase its presence throughout the United States and internationally. The SeaRey has a vibrant and loyal following, which has generated a community of Searey owners and pilots around the globe.

History

In 1991, the SeaRey Classic began construction and was introduced to the public in 1992, assuring a dominant position in the light sport amphibious experimental aircraft market.

Progressive Aerodyne was founded in 1992 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. The SeaRey took form and began flying in November 1992. In late 2009, a significantly improved model, the SeaRey LSX, was introduced to the aviation community. Overall, more than 600 SeaRey Kits have been delivered. In May 2010, the company moved their headquarters from Orlando to Tavares, Florida, known as ‘America’s Seaplane City’, to facilitate growth. In June 2014, SeaRey expanded it global reach with the opening of its sales office in Shanghai, China. The Searey is the only LSA seaplane manufactured in America with certification in China.

Speaking of international appeal, there are more SeaReys in Australia than any other type of Seaplane. Aussie, Michael Smith, flew his SeaRey around the world in 2015, being the first man to circumnavigate the globe in a single-engine hulled seaplane. You can read more about his journey here http://southernsun.voyage/

Before the SeaRey

The Hi-Nuski ultralight began the legacy in 1977 that would ultimately culminate in the SeaRey Light Sport Aircraft. In the 1979, Wayne, Nita and Kerry Richter established Advanced Aviation where they designed and manufactured a number of different aircraft. The company produced the Cobra line of aircraft, SeaWolf prototype, Buccaneer XA, Buccaneer II, Carrera line of aircraft, Buccaneer SX, Explorer, Sierra, Catalina and Colibri.