Symphony Aircraft Industries wants to set the new standard in training.
The company produces the Symphony 160, a two-place aircraft that now sports the Avidyne Entegra flight deck as standard equipment, making it the first two-place with a glass cockpit, according to Paul Costanza, Symphony’s president and CEO. The aircraft also features the BRS Parachute System, as well as the S-TEC Autopilot, both as factory installed options.
“This is the rebirth of the two-place market,” proclaimed Costanza during Sun ‘n Fun. “This aircraft has the potential to become the dominant aircraft in the marketplace.”
A target market will be flight schools, he noted. “Flight schools can equip the aircraft however they want to train students,” he said.
“This is the way the next generation of pilots will learn to fly,” added Mark Sandeen of Avidyne.
The planes range in price from $139,900 for the VFR version to $189,650 for the glass IFR version. The factory-installed parachute system adds another $18,500. Price of the S-TEC autopilot varies according to model.
Symphony has struck a deal with Aviation Banking Center for financing options on the aircraft. Monthly payments for the glass IFR version come in at about $1,200 — “no more than some people make for a luxury car,” Costanza said.
BRS is now working on getting an STC for the Symphony. S-TEC already has an STC for the autopilot, Costanza noted. Deliveries of the aircraft are slated to begin in September.
