The small American company Aircraft Industries Ltd., also known as Sierra, was founded in California in 1928 by John L. Berney, J. F. Long, and Art Wild. The following year, the company built the sole example of the Sierra BLW-1 aircraft (X215H).
Development and Features of the BLW-1
This was a three-seat, braced high-wing monoplane, equipped with a seven-cylinder Comet 7-RA radial engine producing 130 hp (97 kW). It was envisioned that the aircraft could be used as an air taxi, a mail plane, and also for pilot training in flight schools.
The BLW-2 and its Aerial Adventure
In the same year, another aircraft, virtually identical, the Sierra BLW-2 (X/R7713), was completed. That summer, this aircraft, named “San Franciscan” and piloted by Jim Warner, made an unsuccessful attempt to break the flight distance record.
Legacy and Final Destination
In 1930, Aircraft Industries was sold to Hawke Duster. Long after World War II, the surviving BLW-2 was sold to South Africa, marking the end of its service in America.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | BLW-2 |
| Wingspan, m | 10.97 |
| Aircraft length, m | 7.82 |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine Comet 7-RA |
| Power, hp | 1 x 130 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 201 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 161 |
| Practical range, km | 644 |
| Crew | 1 crew member |
| Payload | 2 passengers |
Image and diagram gallery of the Sierra BLW-1/BLW-2
 BLW-1(2) |
 BLW-1(2) |
 BLW-1(2) |
 BLW-1(2) |
 BLW-1(2) |