Modern, sleek, sexy Amphibians

Jaybird180

Jaybird180

Final Approach
Joined
Dec 28, 2010
Messages
9,038
Location
Near DC
Display Name
Jaybird180
Home Airfield
VKX
Talking with my wife about the prospect of mixing boating (a topic I know next to nothing about) with aviation, I wondered what craft would fit the above subject line.

Can some of you post photos of what you think fits the thread title?

Thank you
 
19634d1299762889t-schneider-trophy-winners-mc72a_486.jpg

Two out of three
 
For modern there is only the Seawind, however amphibious and float planes have little crossover with recreational boating unless your boat is simply a means of transportation to your destination; that is until you get into the bigger seaplanes. There is a nice Mallard based at PMP that is outfitted as an RV, and I have seen similar done with an Albatross. I think the apex of the lot is a PBY.
 
Last edited:
Icon Aviation
 

Attachments

  • 2.jpg
    2.jpg
    247.8 KB · Views: 32
index.php


Sea Ray. One of the very few aircraft that can do retractable, taildragger, and amphibian (though not all at the same time).
 
My father built a Seawind.
 

Attachments

  • DSC01106.JPG
    DSC01106.JPG
    5.9 MB · Views: 38
  • DSC_1218[1].jpg
    DSC_1218[1].jpg
    42.1 KB · Views: 26
Henning said:
Seawind has been around for a long time.
Click to expand...

Go buy me a new one, right now.

There were very few of the experimentals built, and you can't start one now (no kit/plans available any more), and the certified version isn't, well, certified yet!

:(
 
flyingcheesehead said:
Go buy me a new one, right now.

There were very few of the experimentals built, and you can't start one now (no kit/plans available any more), and the certified version isn't, well, certified yet!

:(
Click to expand...

Three of them on Barnstormers right now including an incomplete 2012 that will be new when competed, the other two are flying.
 
flyingcheesehead said:
Go buy me a new one, right now.

There were very few of the experimentals built, and you can't start one now (no kit/plans available any more), and the certified version isn't, well, certified yet!

:(
Click to expand...

I'm sure there are some for sale, just not new? But there are only about 60 in the US. There are no more kits for sale, but there are still a few around that should be completed at some point.
 
Modern and sleek the sea wind and the I con really look good.
 
flyingcheesehead said:
Go buy me a new one, right now.

There were very few of the experimentals built, and you can't start one now (no kit/plans available any more), and the certified version isn't, well, certified yet!

:(
Click to expand...

Rumor is it won't be certified due to spin characteristics.

I have no experience with them though
 
Skylane81E said:
Rumor is it won't be certified due to spin characteristics.
Click to expand...

They crashed the flight test bird a few years ago, but they've made changes that are supposed to allow it to be certified. They just announced a "stall/spin prevention system" a couple of weeks ago, and since I first heard about that a couple of years ago, I'm guessing the PR from a couple of weeks ago is an indication that they've got the FAA on board.
 
I heard they think the test pilot committed suicide.
 
None are as good as a 1953 Cessna 180 on 2790's.

The 180 looks better as well.
 
Skylane81E said:
Seamax
Click to expand...

I agree about SeaMax. Unfortunately, it's unpopular in the U.S. despite flying all over the world. Last time I checked, only 12 were registered, and only 4 were the S-LSAs. But IMHO it's definitely slicker and sexier than SeaRey.

Two new entrants in the same space are Super Petrel and Freedom S100. Personally I like the lines of the latter. S100 does not fly as much as SeaMax, of which more than 1000 were build. It's more like a couple of dozens. Still, it's really sexy looking. It uses a cantileiver plastic wing like A5. SeaMax loses in sexiness by using fabric-covered wing and motor mounted on struts like in 1925.

I'm not counting Icon A5 and a few others who are not ready to deliver. The promos for A5 are very sexy, no doubt.

BTW, they build a rather cute twin amphibian in Russia, called LA-8. About 20 were built and production is ongoing. It is a different class airplane, powered by two IO-550s or two of those odd Friench inline-six. Seats 8 or so.
 

Attachments

  • 007.jpg
    007.jpg
    133.6 KB · Views: 23
zaitcev said:
BTW, they build a rather cute twin amphibian in Russia, called LA-8. About 20 were built and production is ongoing. It is a different class airplane, powered by two IO-550s or two of those odd Friench inline-six. Seats 8 or so.
Click to expand...

Ooooh.... I want one!
 
zaitcev said:
I agree about SeaMax. Unfortunately, it's unpopular in the U.S. despite flying all over the world. Last time I checked, only 12 were registered, and only 4 were the S-LSAs. But IMHO it's definitely slicker and sexier than SeaRey.

Two new entrants in the same space are Super Petrel and Freedom S100. Personally I like the lines of the latter. S100 does not fly as much as SeaMax, of which more than 1000 were build. It's more like a couple of dozens. Still, it's really sexy looking. It uses a cantileiver plastic wing like A5. SeaMax loses in sexiness by using fabric-covered wing and motor mounted on struts like in 1925.

I'm not counting Icon A5 and a few others who are not ready to deliver. The promos for A5 are very sexy, no doubt.

BTW, they build a rather cute twin amphibian in Russia, called LA-8. About 20 were built and production is ongoing. It is a different class airplane, powered by two IO-550s or two of those odd Friench inline-six. Seats 8 or so.
Click to expand...

How much do they cost?
 
Henning said:
How much do they cost?
Click to expand...

I am tracking it on Russian forums, and recent versions broke 1 million U.S. dollars. It used to go for about $600k in 2007, but not anymore. This newest version with Czech TP100 turboprops goes for about $1100000. Everyone on forums like to complain that they are too expensive, but then someone buys them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top