Aero Adventure, Offering Affordable Seaplane Fun at DeLand (FL) Airport

In mere days now, DeLand Showcase starts. The new event closes out the year’s shows. Find out more at their website.

DeLand is a thriving year-round sport and recreational flying airport. It has very long been established as one of the world’s premiere skydiving centers. More than 30 parachuting-oriented enterprises employing hundreds of people keep DeLand humming all year with skydiving activity. It is known around globe by enthusiasts.

Matter of fact, the timing of the DeLand Showcase leaned heavily on what Showcase director Jana Filip found upon collaborating with the skydiving community as she chose a date.

Early November offers reasonably predictable weather and, true to form, the first two years of this show were wonderful with temperatures in the low 80s and lots of blue sky. I have my fingers crossed for a repeat of this year, but its hard to dispute years of carefully kept records by the skydivers — who also depend on good weather.

Skydiving at DeLand never stops but leaders welcomed the new event and coordination is good, thanks significantly to airport manager and longtime pilot, John Eiff, who competently manages activities. In fact, the day after Showcase closes on Saturday, skydiving erupts into its own big event. For a few days, though — November 1-2-3 — Light-Sport Aircraft, light kit aircraft, and ultralights are the main attraction.

DeLand Is Home Base

Beyond Showcase and a gazillion skydivers, DeLand is an active field. A brand new terminal building attests to both the activity level and John’s management skill.

The central Florida airport is home to Aero Adventure, makers of the Aventura line of seaplanes that you can afford. OK, affordability is different for everyone; I get that. Yet if you want a new seaplane, Aero Adventure is unquestionably the place to go for a good value.

Their top-of-the-line S17 Aventura retails for $112,000. If you price compare, you will quickly find that even this premiere model from Aero Adventure is far less than any other new seaplane.

Here’s what the company says, “Our S17 is the top of the line when it comes to Aventura flying. It has a fuel injected, computer controlled, 117 horsepower engine. coupled with an infused hull. This aircfraft weighs under 900 pounds and can carry 600 pounds all day!”

Their powerful S17 may be the flagship, but Aero Adventure has much lower cost alternatives. These are all assembled from kit, for now, but the project is not so time consuming and they offer a build center to help.

In addition to their side-by-side two seaters, the company is returning to the one-place seaplane market. “The Aventura UL is a blast to fly using the MZ 201 engine and with no pilot license required makes for a very popular plane,” reported Aero Adventure.

Those with a smaller budget should pay extra attention as the opening price of $25,000 is quite remarkable for a seaplane.

“Yes, that’s right, [we’re building] a single seater,” they said. “We are in the process of assisting some great Aero family members making one of the most awesome single seat aircraft on the market!” They promised to keep me advised and I’ll report more as this emerges. Under leadership from Alex Rolinski, the Florida company has been exhibiting great energy in the pursuit of its enterprise.

Check out the full line of Aventura seaplanes at this link.

They are also doing more than building airframes. To further their enterprise they now offer pilot training, probably a smart thing for a company in the seaplane business.

Aero Adventure said, “Welcome Howard ‘Buddy’ Fleming, our Chief Flight Instructor. Buddy has many years flying various aircraft and has mastered the Aventura! We offer tailwheel and amphibian endorsements, as well as Sport Pilot licenses.”

DeLand airport is also home to another bargain, the Aerolite 103 from U-Fly-It but that’s a story for another post. Meanwhile I hope to see you at DeLand Showcase 2018 in just a few days!