Plane company could come to New Mexico

THE FIRST PLANE USED BY THE NEW IRAQI MILITARY COULD SOON BE MASS-PRODUCED RIGHT HERE IN NEW MEXICO TY SHESKY IS HERE TO SHOW US THE UNUSUAL LOOKING AIRCRAFT AND WHAT IT CAN DO THE SEEKER WAS FIRST MADE IN AUSTRALIA THERE S ONLY OF THEM IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE — AND IT S IN LOS LUNAS NOW AN AMERICAN COMPANY IS THINKING OF BUILDING A LOT MORE THEM RIGHT HERE IN NEW MEXICO NAT OPEN 2 41 The applications of the plane are just phenomenal It has a d- rated light homing 360 engine in it It ll burn just about anything it ll stay airborne for a bout 7 1 2 hours THE SEEKER S PROPELLER IS BEHIND THE WINGS AND IT HAS A GLASS COCKPIT LIKE A HELICOPTER IT WEIGHS LESS THAN TWO THOUSAND POUNDS AND TOPS OUT AROUND 140 MILES AN HOUR BUT THE TWO-SEATER IS DURABLE ENOUGH TO FLY THROUGH DUST STORMS AND EXTREME TEMPERATURES IN FACT THE SEEKER WAS THE FIRST AIRCRAFT IN THE NEW IRAQI AIR FORCE 8 26 Absolutely It was the first airplane in their inventory after the war So it was the foundation for them starting up THE WINGS AND FUSELAGE ARE MADE IN AUSTRALIA AND SOME OF THE GEAR IS IMPORTED FROM GERMANY THE REST OF THE PLANE S PARTS COME FROM THE U-S-A SEABIRD AVIATION AMERICA NOW HAS PLANS TO SET-UP A FULL MANUFACTURING AND ASSEMBLY PLANT FOR THE SEEKER IN THE UNITED STATES — POSSIBLY IN NEW MEXICO 00 19 We would hope that it would be here in New Mexico because we think it brings a lot to the community plus we like the state THE COMPANY SAYS THE PLANE WILL BE A BIG HIT IN THE U-S — AND IN NEW MEXICO 2 27 We ve had interest from ranchers from power companies gas companies for — as you would imagine — pipeline patrol and also sport enthusiasts SEABIRD AVIATION SAYS IT DOESN T KNOW WHEN A DECISION WILL BE MADE ON WHERE IT WILL BUILD A PLANT OR HOW MUCH THE SEEKER WILL SELL FOR TOM NICOLE