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SYMPHONY AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES CLOSES ITS DOORS

 (JANUARY 25, 2005) –  Dear Symphony Aircraft Owners and Customers,

I regret to inform you that Symphony Aircraft Industries has closed its doors.  Please see the attached letter from Paul Costanzo .

I can only hope that the assets will be purchased out of bankruptcy by someone who will move forward with new management and give the aircraft design the chance it deserves.  As I have always said and still believe, it is a great product that just needs to have a good company behind it with proper management and marketing.  I know you have much invested in your aircraft and are concerned about its maintainability.  I will do everything I can to continue to support your needs.  There is little on the aircraft that can not be purchased, repaired, or fabricated using standard aircraft materials or parts from the normal aircraft supply houses, so I do not envision too much of a problem maintaining the aircraft in the future.

Please feel free to call or email me with any questions. 

Christian Klix


SYMPHONY AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES RESPONDS TO ITS CUSTOMERS

SAI Announces “Doors-Off” Certification

Milan, IL (November 9, 2005) – In response to numerous customer requests, Symphony Aircraft Industries (SAI) has announced that it has certified the Symphony SA 160 for “doors-off” flights. The certification allows for the aircraft to fly doors-off in two configurations: 1) with the passenger door removed, or 2) with both doors removed. In either configuration, the aircraft’s cruise speed is reduced by only 5.5%

The SA 160, which is a high-wing design featuring wing strut attachments aft of the cabin doors, is an exceptionally modern and economical photography platform making the removal of its doors the natural thing to do.

In addition, doors-off certification of the SA 160 adds another dimension to Symphony’s motto of certified fun, which Symphony’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Tim Baldwin says is “like riding around with the top down on a sunny summer day, with the freedom of the wind in your hair. This exhilaration is truly another testament to fun flying in the SA 160.”


SYMPHONY AIRCRAFT CONTINUES TO EXPAND

INTO THE FLIGHT SCHOOL MARKET

Flight Schools Recognizing the Symphony 160 as the Ideal Training Aircraft

Milan, IL (November 4, 2005) – Symphony Aircraft Industries (SAI), experts in the 2 Place aircraft, continues to expand into the flight school training market. Becoming recognized as an ideal training aircraft, a number of flight school customers are now operating and/or purchasing Symphony 160s. A large number of other flight schools are also expressing interest in the value of the innovative 2 Place aircraft.

SAI is pleased to announce that the following flight schools have included the Symphony SA 160 into their flight lines – Skyline Aeronautics, Palo Alto College and Magic Flight Training.

Skyline Aeronautics, a full-service flight school located in St. Louis, Missouri, focusing on high technology aircraft and is a fan of the SA 160 because of its new, modern look and the Avidyne Glass Cockpit.

"Symphony is the perfect aircraft filling a niche in the general aviation (GA) market for TAA (Technologically Advanced Aircraft) glass training on a more cost effective platform. This allows us to reach down to the new aircraft purchase and pilot training candidates without having to spend the quarter million dollars on the current fleet of TAA training aircraft that are now available,” Michael Gaffney, Skyline Aeronautics Owner.

Gaffney continues, “Skyline Aeronautics is proud to work with Symphony Aircraft as their Factory Training Center to reach the GA flying and training market with this exciting glass cockpit TAA aircraft.”

Palo Alto College, located in San Antonio, Texas, offers Associated of Applied Science degrees in three tracks – Professional Pilot, Aviation Management, and Aviation Security. “The Symphony SA 160 is a new, great looking and affordable aircraft. It is very responsive, and an excellent teaching aircraft with its unobstructed panel and superb pilot visibility. The SA 160 quickly builds student confidence,” Kevin Hankinson, Director/Instructor of Aviation. Instructors and students love its flight characteristics and great looks.

Magic Flight Training, located in Jacksonville, Florida, has a goal to be the best flight school and aircraft rental company in North Florida. And the SA 160 is the perfect 2 Place aircraft to help them achieve that goal. “The SA 160 is so fun to fly. Our students progress much faster in this aircraft than in old-style 4 Place aircraft,” Peter Crooks, Chief Pilot.

The Symphony 160, a FAR 23 certified two-seat aircraft offers a roomy, cost-effective alternative to smaller, impractical four-place aircraft and surpasses the definition of fun flying. Symphony 160s on a flight line allows training facilities to stand out from other flight schools.


SYMPHONY AIRCRAFT CHOOSES SKYLINE AERONAUTICS

TO DEVELOP ITS 141 FITS TRAINING COURSE

SAI Offers Advanced Training for Avidyne Glass Cockpit Buyers

Milan, IL (November 4, 2005) – Symphony Aircraft Industries (SAI), experts in the 2 Place aircraft, has chosen Skyline Aeronautics as its exclusive training developer and provider for its 141 FITS Avidyne Glass Cockpit transition course. As a leader in safety first principles, SAI is providing its customers high technology transitional and instructional training before they take delivery of their Symphony SA 160.

Skyline Aeronautics, a full-service professional flight training school located in St. Louis, Missouri, was chosen by SAI because they specifically focus on high technology aircraft. Skyline enjoys working with the SA 160 because of its advanced technology, safety features and the Avidyne Glass Cockpit.

"The SA 160 is the perfect aircraft filling a niche in the general aviation (GA) market for TAA (Technologically Advanced Aircraft) glass training on a more cost-effective platform. Skyline Aeronautics is proud to work with SAI as their Factory Training Center to reach the GA flying and training market with this exciting glass cockpit TAA aircraft.” Michael Gaffney, Skyline Aeronautics Owner.

The training will include a two-day course that not only requires time in the class room and flight training but also includes a check flight/graduation ride showing that the student understood what they learned and will continue to be safe in the air.

This type of training is powerful because it demands from students more than just time sitting in a classroom by providing the opportunity for students to apply what they’ve learned before receiving certification. Skyline has even been recognized by insurance carriers as a leader in aeronautic training. Therefore, by participating in this safety training, pilots can receive insurance discounts and safety rewards.

About Symphony Aircraft Industries Located within the world’s largest market, North America, Symphony Aircraft Industries (SAI) holds Transport Canada, FAA and EASA type certificates, along with Transport Canada production and maintenance certificates. Through its design, engineering and production capability and capacity, SAI is perfectly positioned to set the standards in the worldwide 2 Place training market. The Symphony 160 platform, which is a FAR 23 certified two-seat aircraft, offers a roomy and cost-effective alternative to small, impractical four-place aircraft and surpasses the definition of fun flying.


News Release in Aero-News Network April 21, 2005

Two Seaters Making Comeback

Competition is good for business... especially when that competition makes everyone look good. For for too long, Diamond ruled the twin-seat roost with a line of sexy and capable two seaters that offered excellent bang for the buck and even better value. A number of announcements came and went in regards to a number of pretenders to the throne -- some credible, some not. The revamped Luscombe is still DOA, the Liberty XL-2 has seen more delays than a REALLY bad day at Amtrak (and been mismanaged horribly), and the much vaunted Symphony program stumbled visibly after financial woes forced a shutdown

But times have changed. Diamond still rules, Luscombe is a ghost and the XL-2 still seems like a long shot... but the lovely little Symphony is back... with a vengeance. The Symphony SA 160 is a 2 place aircraft that offers 700 lbs. of useful load, a 150 mph cruise speed, a roomy and comfortable cabin, outstanding visibility, a large baggage compartment and an elegant and modern look. Transport Canada assumed responsibility as the "State of Design" and has issued the Type and Production Certificates to Symphony Aircraft Industries. New alliances include

 

  • A five-year alliance with Meggitt/S-TEC to provide autopilot technology as factory-installed option

  • Avidyne Entegra, integrated flight deck glass cockpit

  • Ballistic Recovery System (BRS) whole aircraft recovery parachute system

Symphony expects to have two aircraft certificated to FAA Part 23 by the end of July, and customer deliveries by September, 2005. Symphony expects production to eventually grow to 200-500 aircraft per year. Prices include the Symphony SA-160 with the VFR package for $139,900, a basic IFR version is $154,900, and a Glass Panel IFR version (entirely replaces VFR equipment package) for $189,650. The optional BRS ballistic parachute will be factory installed (pending certification) for $18,500. Expect to see a lot these in circulation in 2006.


News Release in AOPA ePilot April 15, 2005

SYMPHONY BRINGS GLASS-COCKPIT TECHNOLOGY TO TRAINER

Symphony Aircraft Industries Inc. is taking two-seat trainers to the next level thanks to long-term strategic agreements with Avidyne, BRS, and Meggitt/S-TEC. The Symphony 160 can come equipped with Avidyne's FlightMax Entegra glass-cockpit system, BRS's emergency parachute, and S-TEC's autopilot. "I think we've got the new standard for training in our hands," said Paul Costanzo, Symphony president and CEO. The Entegra system for the Symphony 160 includes the EXP5000 primary flight display (PFD), EX5000 multifunction display (MFD), and the EMax Engine Indication System. The S-TEC System 30 will be a factory option on the regular IFR-configured Symphony (starting at $154,900), while the S-TEC System 55 will be for the Avidyne IFR-equipped aircraft (base-priced at $189,650). First deliveries of the aircraft with all the new options are scheduled for September 2005. The BRS parachute system option costs $18,500.

Symphony Aircraft Industries Takes Flight

And Prepares to Ramp Up Production of the Symphony Line of Aircraft

 

 

 

Three Rivers, Quebec – July 13, 2004 – The future is bright for the Symphony line of aircraft.  After nearly seven months of hard work, all the pieces are now in place for Symphony Aircraft Industries (SAI) to move forward with the Symphony line of aircraft.

 

SAI has completed the acquisition of all the assets of OMF Canada. The company has also reached an agreement with OMF Flugzeugwerke GmbH (OMFDE), the German company that acquired the assets of the old German company OMF GmbH. SAI and OMFDE have concluded a strategic alliance, and will work together to make the Symphony line of aircraft successful around the world. As a result of this alliance:

  • Symphony Aircraft will become the owner of the type design for the Symphony 160, effective July 16.
  • OMFDE will produce and sell Symphony aircraft in Europe, Africa and the  Middle East.
  • The two companies will become centers of excellence in various aspects of the manufacturing process, and will supply components to each other.

“It has been a long and arduous journey, and we are extremely gratified with the results,” said Paul Costanzo, President of Symphony Aircraft Industries. “All of us at Symphony Aircraft are looking forward to a bright future.”

Background

 

That journey began on December 9, 2003, when OMF GmbH declared bankruptcy in German. OMF Canada ceased operations in January 2004. In April 2004, OMFDE acquired the assets of the former OMF GmbH, while SAI purchased all the assets of the former OMF Canada in June 2004.  The two companies are now working together to make the Symphony line of aircraft successful around the world.

 

Future Plans

 

Symphony Aircraft is moving forward quickly on many fronts. On the production side, the company is actively working to ramp up production of the Symphony 160. That means working with vendors and suppliers, hiring manufacturing staff and more.  Symphony has agreed to buy six Symphony 160s from OMFDE, with an option for four additional aircraft. Delivery of these aircraft will begin in September.  The first Symphony 160s produced in Canada should roll off the Three Rivers production line in late November or early December.

 

Development work has begun again on the Symphony 135D and the Symphony 250. According to Costanzo, the Symphony 135D diesel should be certified in Europe as an STC by OMFDE by the end of this year, with certification in the United States and Canada to follow shortly thereafter. Symphony has hired a Vice President of Engineering, who will lead the development work on the four-place Symphony 250.

 

Symphony Aircraft Industries will participate in AirVentures 2004 in Oshkosh , and has schedule a press conference for Wednesday, July 28 at 2 pm. Additional information on the company’s future plans will be available at that time.

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Last Updated: January 06, 2008