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In the mid 80's Advanced Aviation took over production of the
single place Buccaneer XA, and two place Buccaneer II for Highcraft AeroMarine.
While producing these Kerry then designed the revolutionary single place strut
braced, amphibious Buccaneer SX. Then with a little spare time on his hands, six
weeks to be exact, Kerry and Phil Lockwood of Lockwood Aviation designed and
built the strut braced, high wing Explorer, for introduction at the E.A.A. Sun
and Fun Convention in Florida.
At the same time Wayne and his wife quietly and efficiently
kept the business end of the operation working successfully. So successfully
that a number of interested parties approached them to take over ownership. So
Advanced Aviation was sold with the Richter family staying on to help the new
owners during the transitional phase with the design, modification, and
production of the Advanced line of aircraft.
It was during this time the Kerry and one of Advanced
Aviation's long time employees Paige Linette were contacted by a group of
investors who wanted to design a series of aircraft to be produced outside of
the U.S. that would be marketed world wide. With the transitional phase at
Advanced Aviation complete Kerry and Paige looked forward to the challenge of
being involved in the design, and construction of a series of new aircraft.
According the Kerry's father Wayne it was right after
he had finished the projects in Costa Rica, that he asked Kerry "what
have you got left for us?" "Kerry just smiled and said "Dad don't worry
I've got it covered!" In June of 1992 the SeaRey concept starting taking
form and in November the first prototype was flying.
It was then introduced to the general public at Sun N
Fun and the demand was so great that according to Wayne "it took us
nearly two years to fill the orders taken at the show, and as of 2006
over 400 kits have been delivered to customers and are flying world
wide." |
