In 2021, Merlin Lite lit up cyberspace after I wrote about the new entry’s introduction at Midwest LSA Expo in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. So many tens of thousands of you wanted to read about this intriguing aircraft that I worried the website could crash.
A few other airplanes have drawn large numbers of readers but Chip Erwin creations seem to do that with regularity. Most companies I write about struggle to come up with something new each year when we greet each other at airshows.
Contrarily, Chip is so bubbling with new ideas and excitement about them that he can barely talk fast enough to get all the words out of his mind. He’s always an exciting interview and a new video below offers another.
Why a…
Ultralight-Motorglider-Floatplane?
Following is what Chip has to say about his new creation. This is not identical to what’s in the video, so you want to read the following plus catch the video to learn more.
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Aero Friedrichshafen Day 2: Tecnam Mk II, SkyArrow, Corsair Delivering, Delta Cruiser Floatplane
Aero Friedrichshafen continues, delivering a broad preview of new aircraft projects plus a glimpse into light aviation in Europe. New ideas run from the fascinating to the futuristic. Some will never make it market but they can contribute ideas to be used on other designs, enhancing overall progress. How does Europe do so much of this? Government funding often comes up in discussions with developers; this is extremely rare in the USA.
Attending more than 20 Aeros, I’ve found new ideas every time. Indeed, I usually run out of time before I can get to hear every story. Aero never fails to deliver.
Tecnam P92 Mk II — Speaking of progress never stopping, how about Italian juggernaut, Tecnam? Their large space included their sweeping flock of high wing and low wing sport planes, certified four seaters, military projects, their popular Twin multiengine four seater; the company even showed their 11-seat Traveller regional airliner.
Belite Aircraft — SeaLite Floatplane (2013)
Belite Aircraft has maintained a singular focus on single seat aircraft, many of which can meet Part 103 (meaning no license, medical, or N-numbers needed). Entrepreneur James Wiebe has been tireless in his quest to constantly update the design. To wit, he scrapped an aluminum float project and created the carbon fiber amphibious floats to squeeze even more weight out of them. At the time this video was made, he had not yet flown, but in December 2013, that benchmark was achieved.
Flight Design — CTLS Floatplane
If you’ve tried flying with floats (or in a boat-hulled aircraft) you already know the appeal. Those who haven’t should check out the experience. You can do that by going to www.flyct.com, the website of Airtime Aviation in Tulsa Oklahoma where the CTLS Floatplane has been developed. Proprietors Tom Gutmann Sr. and Jr. offer seaplane instruction and sign-offs. Amphibious floats are fabricated by Claymar of Canada.
Pair of Floatplanes Announced: Legend and Remos
We’ve arrived at the end of the main float-flying season, but two of our largest Light-Sport Aircraft manufacturers just announced floatplane models. Welcome to the American Legend FloatCub and the Remos GX on floats. Each company contracted with float experts (a big difference from SeaMax or SeaRey). *** The most successful American LSA producer, American Legend won approval on October 2 for their Amphibious Legend FloatCub after declaring they met ASTM standards. FloatCub was put on sale for $159,000 and the first customer aircraft is being assembled. Legend went to long-established float company, Baumann Floats of New Richmond, Wisconsin. The new model flew in July, 2009 and made an appearance at Oshkosh. Unlike original Piper Cubs that were often put on floats, the Legend Cub has doors on both sides, a big benefit when docking. If purchased with the 120-hp Jabiru 3300, Legend FloatCub should prove quite energetic even at high elevations.
Floatplane Season Means Fun for LSA Enthusiasts
With summer just around the corner, floatplane flying regains its special appeal. In about a month, I’ll have an announcement of a very exciting, ultramodern new seaplane that will make your jaw drop. But today, you can get an incentive at the opposite end of the LSA technology spectrum. *** Legend Cub, which offers a float option for its replica Cub, is offering $2,000 of free options with the purchase of a Legend FloatCub, base priced at $121,000. If you’ve investigated floatplane or seaplane prices you should recognize a fair value, now with a couple grand of added goodies to clinch the deal. *** FloatCub comes with Baumann 1500 Floats and experiences minimal performance reductions in this configuration. FloatCub still manages a 92 mph top speed, only 10 percent below a non-float Legend Cub. And climb remains a respectable 500 fpm. *** Unlike the other two Cub lookalikes in the LSA fleet (Sport Cub and Savage) — and unlike the original Piper Cub — Legend offers doors on both sides.
Colyaer Amphib is Newest Floatplane SLSA
On the same day Van first flew his RV-12 LSA and on the same day AOPA’s Expo 2006 opened with a fleet of LSA on display, LSA Aero president Don Langford received #44 SLSA certification for the Freedom from Troy Hart of the Memphis FSDO (photo). The following week Decatur, Alabama-based LSA Aero delivered the first Freedom amphibian to its owner. Langford says the Freedom, part of a family of airplanes based on the design, “is the culmination of eight years of development by Colyaer of Pontevedra, Spain.” The Martin3 landplane and Gannet non-amphib seaplane share the same wing, cabin, tail, and fuselage down to the waterline, added Langford. *** Glide performance from the 40.3-foot wings is said to be 20:1 and this helps keep water runs to a reported 8 seconds. Empty weight with the amphibious gear is 854 pounds but LSA seaplanes can gross at 1,430 pounds yielding a respectable 576-pound useful load.
Handsome Floatplanes Are a Hit During Hot Summers
Summer fly-ins are an institution in recreational aviation. I attended one last weekend at Don Zank’s field near Bloomer, Wisconsin (north of Eau Claire). Of 50 or more planes that flew in, one was a handsome Just Aircraft Highlander “Marine” decked out in sleek amphibious floats. This time of year, while plenty of outdoorsmen pursue hunting and fishing, the amphib floatplane is versatile and desirable. Just Aircraft earned its SLSA airworthiness for Highlander — one of only seven American producers out of the 30 supplying Special Light-Sport Aircraft using ASTM consensus standards. Some customers are attracted to Highlander for its bushplane qualities. Others like its high useful load. Just Aircraft reports the 100-hp R-912 model weighs only 600 pounds empty, leaving a useful load of more than 700 pounds. With 18 gallons of fuel, Highlander claims a payload of more than 600 pounds though optional extras will cut into its carrying capacity.
If It Flies Like a Duck and Floats Like a Duck, Maybe It IS a Duck
Article Updated July 17, 2024 — After this article was posted, Miguel Rosario reported, “Duck is still in tests. Now we will install a 912 ULS 80-horsepower engine, as requested by future customers.” He continued, “Molds are under construction for production, which we hope to start in three months” (approximately October 1, 2024). He finished, “I will keep you updated on all developments regarding Duck.” —DJ
You probably know Seamax. This longtime, performance-oriented LSA seaplane was one of the first to make a splash in the U.S. light aircraft market way back in December, 2007.
Today, regretfully, the Seamax company is going through some very difficult circumstances as noted in this State of the Seaplane Sector report. We don’t know the end of those stories yet.
Nonetheless, Seamax M-22 designer Miguel Rosario remains active. You can’t keep a good man down but apparently you can keep him on the water.
Summer’s Almost Here! State-of-the-Sector Report for LSA Seaplanes
One of the most active sectors in light aviation is LSA seaplanes. We’ve seen ups and downs, arrivals and departures of LSA seaplane producers. Admittedly, these flying machines are more complex than current-day LSA. For example, amphibs need retractable landing gear and substantial boat hulls able to take water loads.
LSA seaplanes constitute a highly fluid market yet we can see clues suggesting what might be ahead for some of the main brands. With summertime approaching, this State-of-the-Sector article attempts to keep up with the rapidly changing landscape (or waterscape).
We’ll first look at two high-end entries that have been in the news and conclude with present LSA seaplanes and their status in the market.
Vickers Wave
Writing for AVweb (part of Firecrown, which also owns Flying and ByDanJohnson.com plus several other publications), my fellow aviation journalist Russ Niles stated, “New Zealand-based Vickers Aircraft Company says it intends to make its first delivery of the Wave two-place amphibious aircraft to a U.S.
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