Hervey Bay Aircraft Manufacturer Launches into the US
If you have been reading the Gossip for a while you will have seen mention of Hervey Bay’s very own Seabird Aviation. You can read those stories here and here.
Seabird Aviation is definitely the quiet achiever in the Queensland aviation industry and, while there has been a lot of noise about the industry in Brisbane and even in Cairns, not much has been said about what has been going on here in Hervey Bay.
And what has been going on is really worth talking about because here we have a local builder taking their product to the world. Seabird Aviation’s products are already in use in the middle east but now they are set to move into the American market.
“This is a real coup for a Queensland company and enhances our rapidly growing reputation as a major aviation and aerospace hub of the Asia Pacific region,” Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for State Development, Trade and Innovation Anna Bligh said.
“The first Seeker will be shipped to Seabird Australia’s joint venture partner, Seabird Aviation America Inc, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, later this month. The company expects to sell large numbers of the planes to the United States in the next decade.
“The unique design of the Seeker makes it ideal for roles such as power line surveillance and border patrols. It has greater range, longer endurance and substantially lower operating costs than a helicopter,” Ms Bligh said.
Seabird Aviation Australia Managing Director, Peter Adams, said he was currently reviewing the HerveyBay operations to ensure production can be maintained as its international market grows.
“The Seeker will be demonstrated and trialled throughout America by organisations involved in observation and border security. I’m confident they will be impressed by its many advantages over the helicopter which is traditionally used in this role,” Mr Adams said.
“As we move forward with greater production to meet our sales demands, we will be subcontracting more of our manufacturing process to firms in the WideBay region. This will allow Seabird Aviation Australian to focus on assembly and design of future aircraft.”
