Symphony Aircraft Industries (SAI) delivered the first Canadian-built Symphony 160 two-seater last week, to Ohio-based distributor Corbi Aircraft Sales. The delivery followed receipt of type and production certificates from Transport Canada, which has taken on responsibility for certification after the demise of the aircraft's German manufacturer, OMF.
SAI president and chief executive Paul Costanzo says the Trois-Rivieres, Quebec-based company plans to deliver 40 aircraft this year, of which 27 are already on order, with 80 aircraft tentatively planned for production next year. He says the focus for the first nine months will be on the US market, where the company has a network of eight dealers.
OMF Flugzeugwerke, which originally acquired the assets of bankrupt OMF, has surrendered its rights to market the Symphony in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, says Costanzo. "New OMF could not see enough demand," he adds. The German company had planned to develop diesel-powered and four-seat derivatives of the Symphony.
SAI is basing its plans on the two-seat Symphony 160, which is powered by a Textron Lycoming IO-320 and sells for $150,000. "Our focus for 2005 is in increasing production and making minor improvements to the Symphony," says Costanzo. "We will make a go/no-go decision on the diesel and the four-seater later this year."
GRAHAM WARWICK/WASHINGTON DC
Source: Flight International
