Seeker America, a subsidiary of the global aviation company CSI Aviation, today announced its acquisition of the Australian airplane manufacturer, Seabird Aviation.

For now, manufacturing operations will continue in Australia, but Seeker eventually plans to move those assets to North America. Seeker is forecasting robust demand for the Seabird aircraft, due to its simple, cost-effective and unique design with an ISR capability no fixed wing aircraft can compete with.

“We've had a long relationship with Seabird,” said William Collins, the COO of CSI Aviation. “Now that we've acquired the company, we're going to take it to the next level. We hope to sell various types of this aircraft to customers worldwide who are seeking a more versatile and affordable aircraft.”

The Seeker is a fixed wing aircraft that offers many of the same advantages for law enforcement and surveillance typically found in helicopters, and yet it can be purchased for a more affordable price with significant operating cost savings. The unique engine placement allows the pilot and co-pilot to fly with 270 degrees of visibility; a critically important characteristic for its intended use. The airplane has docile handling characteristics that provide for a safe, low-speed stall, responsive harmonized control, minimal pitch change with power and flap changes, and stability to reduce pilot workload. It is easily configured for a variety of surveillance and sensor equipment.

“This is a great aircraft,” Collins added. “In the times we live in now, this platform not only provides its unique surveillance capabilities at an affordable price, but the operating cost savings it can provide is second to none.”

The two firms finalized the acquisition on Monday, March 24. Seeker America, and its parent company, CSI Aviation, are headquartered in Albuquerque. Seabird Aviation is located in Hervey Bay, Australia, on the eastern coast north of Brisbane.

Last year, CSI Aviation donated one of the two Seeker airplanes it had purchased for demonstration and marketing purposes to the New Mexico State Police. The airplane has since been configured with cameras and other equipment for use in law enforcement, providing a model for its real-world effectiveness and application.

Seeker Aircraft America, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CSI Aviation, Inc., both of which are headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico.