When a modern person first encounters small aircraft, they are often surprised by the primitive ergonomics and the aesthetic poverty of the interiors. Yet the impressions of flight are so powerful that the initial shock quickly dissolves into the larger picture of general aviation and becomes accepted as normal. The reasons for these shortcomings are clear: the small size of the market, the complexity of certifying modifications, the constant battle to reduce weight, and the overriding priorities of safety and cost.

Still, the expectation of comfort and aesthetic excellence in such an exclusive mode of transport has never gone away. The only successful attempt to bring modern design into light aircraft interiors is the seventh-generation Cirrus SR22 G7—but it comes at a price of more than one million dollars. Even the most advanced Diamond DA50 RG, with a price closer to one and a half million dollars, did not escape exposed screws, a flat and primitive instrument panel, or the flight control lever stuck between the passengers' legs. The truth is that even for very large sums of money, comfort and aesthetics in light aircraft are not always possible to achieve.

The creation of Sinbad is our answer to this gap: an affordable, modern, safe, efficient, and beautiful aircraft. Only a team of seasoned professionals with decades of experience in aircraft design and operation could bring together these qualities. Such a team has been working on Sinbad since 2021.

Our project followed a full cycle of professional aerospace engineering, equivalent to the practices of the world’s leading manufacturers. Structural analysis is performed in MSC Nastran/Patran and ANSYS Mechanical, including linear, nonlinear, vibration, and aeroelastic cases. Mass optimization was carried out in HyperWorks OptiStruct. Aerodynamics were validated in ANSYS Fluent. Geometry and analytical models are parametrically linked in NX. All results are benchmarked against FAA/EASA Part 23 regulations and confirmed by full-scale static and drop tests.

To eliminate doubts about reliability, we adopted a strict rule: only proven design solutions with decades of safe use in aviation are applied. No untested “revolutionary” concepts, however attractive they may seem. At first glance, such a conservative approach might appear incompatible with our ambitious goal: a reliable, efficient, beautiful, and affordable aircraft. But we would not have taken up this challenge if we had not known how to achieve it.

The key is combining classical design methods with modern production technologies. Technological progress makes it possible to achieve the same or better results than a decade ago at far lower cost.

A clear example is the use of extruded 7050-T74511 aluminum profiles for the wing spars and center section, precision-machined in a single pass on a 5-axis CNC machine. Accuracy reaches ±0.1 mm on baseline surfaces and ±0.05 mm at joints, with surface finish Ra ≤ 3.2 μm on body surfaces and Ra ≤ 1.6 μm on bearing areas. Quality is assured by CMM, gauges, and ultrasonic inspection. The result: a flawless, precision part produced in six machine hours, instead of 40–120 hours of manual work with all the risks of human error.

Several such solutions have been incorporated into Sinbad’s production cycle. Our team is also developing fully automated wing assembly, enabling delivery of kits with preassembled wings. Unified modules, digital models, and contract production have reduced both cost and lead time. The result: an aircraft priced close to market leaders, but offering a reliable airframe and a premium cabin.

The wing and stabilizer are fully metallic, extending the aircraft’s service life “on condition” rather than by calendar. Metal structures, under FAR 23.573, can serve indefinitely if cracks are controlled below critical size. Many all-metal fleets safely exceed 50,000–60,000 hours. By contrast, composite wings typically have a 20,000–25,000-hour Design Service Goal, after which recertification or replacement is required. Composites also degrade under UV and thermal cycling. Metal wings only require repainting for a like-new appearance.

The fuselage is carbon fiber, an optimal choice since it is not fatigue-critical under CS-23.573. It offers:

• Excellent surface quality straight from the mold (Ra ≈ 0.4–0.8 μm)
• Smooth aerodynamic lines, lowering drag by 3–5% (NASA CR-165556)
• 15–25% weight savings over aluminum for equal strength (MIL-HDBK-516)
• 20–30% lower labor input, since frames and stiffeners are co-cured in one cycle

Unlike older telescopic nose struts, Sinbad uses a trailing-link nose gear with an oil-gas shock absorber. NTSB data show that nose gear failures make up 20–25% of all GA gear failures, especially on rough strips. Sinbad is equipped with a trailing-link nose landing gear featuring a high-energy oil-gas shock absorber. According to NTSB data, nose gear failures account for 20–25% of all landing gear malfunctions in general aviation, most often occurring on rough or unpaved runways.

The trailing-link design absorbs up to 80% more impact energy than a simple telescopic strut and allows the aircraft to handle bumps without fear of catastrophic damage.

The main gear is spring-steel, virtually indestructible even after thousands of training landings.

You choose the heart of your Sinbad. Install a trusted, time-proven engine or a brand-new powerhouse. The design accepts engines of 180–300 hp with dry weights from 265 to 473 lbs (120–215 kg). Balance is maintained by repositioning the battery. The airframe is strong enough to handle the heaviest engine in this range.

Sinbad is designed with safety as its core principle. Highlights include:

• Robust structure and balanced center of gravity
• GA(W)-2 wing profile with Fowler flaps for short-field performance
• Cantilever high wing for easy inspection and service
• Reinforced mounting points for ballistic parachute systems, with routing for cables and installation options for any commercial BRS package

GRAD Aeronaut LLC does not limit itself to the primitive “sell and forget” model. Everyone who acquires a Sinbad kit becomes a lifelong partner. We welcome each owner into our family and provide continuous support—during construction, certification, and operation.

The growing community of Sinbad owners and pilots gains tools for sharing experience, building connections with suppliers, operators, and service providers, and enjoying exclusive discounts and privileges. From casual conversation to structured collaboration, the community is designed to grow and thrive. All current and future GRAD Aeronaut projects will provide preferential terms to Sinbad community members.

With respect and hope,
Founder and Project Leader of Sinbad
Sergei Gradov