About
Super Petrel USA Inc.
Where We’ve Been
On 1 January 2016, Super Petrel USA, Inc. opened its hangar doors and began operations. In the hangar we were leasing, were 4 Super Petrel LS aircraft with the Rotax 912ULS engines and Dynon avionics. The aircraft were day VFR and limited to 600 kg or 1,320 lbs. None of these aircraft were sold and the total number of delivered aircraft was 7. Financing was nearly impossible; insurance underwriters had never heard of a “Super Petrel”. By the end of 2017, we had sold the four aircraft in the hangar plus an additional two. Slowly, people began to discover the little amphibian biplane. By the end of 2019, there were 24 Super Petrel LS aircraft in the USA. Then came COVID 19. We had no idea how this pandemic was to affect aircraft sales and our business. As it turned out, we began selling more aircraft than ever before and each following year the numbers continue to increase. As of this date, there are 65 Super Petrel LSA’s here in the US.
In early November 2022, Scoda Aeronautica introduced the Super Petrel XP at our annual Tri-Fecta training event. By years end, we had orders for 10 new XP aircraft with the Rotax 915iS engines.
In 2023 with the delivery of aircraft serial number S0402, production of the LS version of the Super Petrel came to an end. The molds, jigs and materials like Dacron were relocated out of the production area to allow Scoda Aeronautica room to begin produce of the new XP aircraft. That said, we will continue to support the LS aircraft for many years to come.
What We’re Doing Today
We are currently making plans once again to attend Sun-N-Fun as well as having an XP at the Rotax Suite at AirVenture 25 with our latest version of the Super Petrel XP powered by the Rotax 916iS engine. Can you say 2,000 fpm rate of climb? This ain’t your grandpa’s Cub on floats.
In the beginning of 2024, we purchased the 6,000 sq. ft. hangar we had been leasing for 8 years. With that, we began making improvements like overhead LED lighting and a 24-foot overhead fan. We continue to grow our team with this year’s addition of Todd Wean (A&P) who is a graduate of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and has been performing Garmin Avionics installations for the past 10 years. Combined with our Chief Pilot Dan (Danno) Pedersen (US Naval Academy Grad); Director of Maintenance Mark (Ziggy) Ziegler (former Blue Angle Pilot); and Director of Safety Bill (Shortney) Gortney (retired US Navy Admiral). This is truly a “Dream Team”. For me, it is the most fun and the most enjoyment I have had in my 53 years as an aviator.
The Super Petrel LS was produced for more than 22 years. During that time there were over 400 improvements, modifications and changes. The Super Petrel XP will be no different. We have already seen several improvements to the already incredible aircraft. Scoda Aeronautica never rests when it comes to “How to make the best Light Sport Amphibian Aircraft even better”.
Where We Are Going
During the 2024 Tri-Fecta event held in early November, we hosted a record number of attendees, many of whom had one or more Super Petrel XP’s on order. Rodrigo Scoda announced that beginning with serial number S0415, the Rotax 916iS engine with 160 HP would be an option instead of the 915iS. Every buyer opted for the upgrade. We even sold an XP at the event once the announcement was made. That was a bell ringer moment for all.
Sales of the XP aircraft have been outstanding since first announced. David Hershman and his AOPA crew came to Ormond Beach to produce a video and write an article for PILOT magazine. We actually made the cover of PILOT Magazine, the article was outstanding. The exposure we have received from the AOPA has been invaluable. We were recently voted number 3 in the top best 10 aircraft for 2024 by the AOPA.