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.
If It Flies Like a Duck and Floats Like a Duck, Maybe It IS a Duck
Miguel Rosario is an enthusiastic and talented designer.
Welcome Duck!
Seamax and Duck share a love of water but otherwise they could hardly be more different.Welcome Duck!
Fabricating the hull for Duck mated to a V5 Fox Neo.
Duck Entry
Fortunately, challenges in the LSA seaplane sector need not affect all affordable aircraft.Main Technical Data supplied by Miguel Rosario
- Empty Weight — 540 pounds (245 kilograms)
- Useful Load — 485 pounds (220 kilograms)
- Wing Span — 31.7 feet (9,66 meters)
- Stall Speed — 32 mph / 28 knots
- Cruise Speed — 78 mph / 68 knots
- Engine — Rotax 582, 65 horsepower
- Propeller — Warp Drive 3-blade 68 inch
About Fly Fox
"Since the end of 2018, Fly Ultraleves (English website) created the company Fly Fox to manufacture kits for assembling Fox V-5 and Fox V-6 aircraft under license." wrote the Brazilian company.A 3D rendering of the project as it began.
Fly Fox of Australia featured this earlier floatplane version of Tandem Neo.
How Low Cost?
My title slide suggested Duck will be relatively inexpensive but it's still too early to know details. As a kit based on ultralight construction, it's reasonable to project a modest selling price. Fly Fox is not presently represented in the USA. Nonetheless, given rising LSA prices and even more costly Mosaic LSA to come in a year or so, economical choices like Duck may be worth investigating. You won't likely get one for summer 2024 but you can dream ahead.Interested? Contact Fly Fox directly…