Over many years, many people have done solid work to accommodate people who are physically challenged in one way or another. That’s great! More opportunities to bring in motivated pilots is worthwhile. Yet designers have been hampered from making such changes, partly as they are burdened by a certification system that is simply too rigid to make the effort of approval worth it for small numbers of specially-equipped aircraft. Cars, hotel rooms, curb construction, building ramps, smartphones, and more …all accommodate persons with disabilities. That’s wonderful, however… All those arrangements that make life easier for someone in a wheelchair must nonetheless cope with strenuous regulatory demands. Cars, hotels, and smartphones are created by vastly larger enterprises with staff to handle regulatory burdens. In the more intimate world of recreational aviation, the industry is composed of much smaller enterprises. A lighter regulatory hand (using ASTM standards instead of full FAA certification) allows easier airframe customization for specific purposes — such as hand control fittings and linkages — and this system allows changes on a dramatically faster schedule.
Aero Adventure, Inc.
Website: https://www.sea-plane.com/
Email: aeroadventurellc@gmail.com
Phone: 866-494-5367
DeLand, FL 32724 - USAReady for Sun ‘n Fun 2021 — Welcome the Newest SLSA: Affordable Aventura Amphibian
Although Aero Adventure has successfully mounted Viking, AeroMomentum, and other engines, their Special Light-Sport Aircraft entry will use a Rotax 912.
Aventura SLSA Special Light-Sport Aircraft
You can find more articles about all Aero Adventure's Aventura models and even the versions that preceded today's lineup by checking this link. In a series of articles and videos I have described these airplanes and given info on how they fly, how they are built, and how affordable they are.C E L E B R A T E SLSA Number 155!
Please join me in congratulating Alex Rolinski and his DeLand, Florida team for achieving FAA acceptance of their Aventura two seater. The newest Special LSA now tops our popular SLSA List.Business partner Alex Gutierrez poses alongside an Aventura II kit.
This handsome Aventura II kit will be on display in the LSA Mall at Sun 'n Fun 2021.
Manufacturer Alex Rolinski (L) poses with national distributor Lou Mancuso (R) in front of the Aventura SLSA.
https://youtu.be/lDBhOEKOCmM https://youtu.be/L8mNL8Okje8
Affordable is a word I often hear as I explore the ever-expanding world of light aircraft. From Part 103 ultralights to kit-built aircraft you can fly with a Sport Pilot license (“Sport Pilot kit”) to fully-built, FAA-accepted Special Light-Sport Aircraft… the number of choices you have is dazzling. UPDATE 4/3/21: A new video featuring an interview with Aero Adventure’s Alex Rolinski now appears at the bottom of this article. —DJ Some of these numerous choices may run way past your budget, although a growing number of pilots are learning they can share ownership in one of various ways. Doing so can help you afford what you want yet many pilots enjoy the idea of owning their very own, highly-personal flying machine. Those who want sole ownership of a seaplane will have to dig deeper into their pocket, sometimes much more deeply. Sadly, for many pilots this eliminates a chance to own a LSA seaplane all by yourself.
Airshows in 2021: Better News on the Horizon but Some Early-Event Cancellations
Flyway to Highway DeLand, Florida
Lead organizer Jana Filip first rescheduled the November 2020 DeLand Showcase until January, but that got scrubbed by a very cautious city of DeLand. Now, Jana will host Flyway to Highway at the end of this month.Sun 'n Fun 2021 "Back" and Ready
I already wrote about Sun 'n Fun's Holiday Festival (video below), their version of cars and airplanes, held on December 4th and 5th of 2020. I went on Friday and found the site similar to their regular Sun 'n Fun airshow, for year occurring in April of each year.Europe's Best (IMHO) Aero Friedrichshafen 2021… is ON!
When I asked the main man about Aero Friedrichshafen, the show's longtime leader, Roland Bosch, wrote, "I'm very confident that the venue will held as planned. After Easter, normal life must go on."The Big One EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
Recently I had dinner with a top executive of EAA. He believes the organization is ready for 2021 and that their late-July event is on a good footing.What's NOT Happening?
One of the sad cancellations is the Illinois Ultralight & Light Sport Aircraft Safety Symposium. You might imagine that one state's event is not particularly significant, but this one has been going on for 40 years… yep, 40! That's about as long as the U.S. has enjoyed Part 103 ultralights. Organizer Vickie Betts wrote, "With the increasing number of Covid cases and the certainty that only a small portion of the general population will have received a vaccine by that date, we felt it was prudent to cancel the event for safety reasons." Instead, she and other organizers will focus on their 2022 symposium.https://youtu.be/1b-h7ggwyi0
UPDATE 1/14/21 — Regretfully, I must announce that DeLand has cancelled its Flyway to Highway event “due to Covid-19.” —DJ After a year of great uncertainty, the earliest airshows of 2021 are feeling the pressure. However, by spring, several organizers hope for great improvement. Here’s some review, good news first and then some cancellations. Flyway to Highway DeLand, Florida Lead organizer Jana Filip first rescheduled the November 2020 DeLand Showcase until January, but that got scrubbed by a very cautious city of DeLand. Now, Jana will host Flyway to Highway at the end of this month. My friends at General Aviation News got the news out early, “DeLand Airport will host a one-day fly-in/drive-in event on January 30, 2021. Co-sponsored by automaker Tesla, anyone who shows up at the DeLand Airport Management Center can take a test drive in a new Tesla.” Quite a few airplane companies will also display.
A Special Light-Sport Aircraft Seaplane for the Rest of Us: Aventura SLSA 912
New-To-Be LSA Seaplane
Given the sweeping effects of the coronavirus lockdown, Aero Adventure has experienced some delay getting FAA to come make their evaluation of the company's Special Light-Sport Aircraft entry. Hopefully, boss Alex Rolinski will succeed in getting this done soon but it is presently out of his hands. He asks FAA regularly but permission has not yet been granted for inspectors to visit Aero Adventure.Very Special Light-Sport Aircraft
Despite their best plans, no one saw the coronavirus panic coming, so Aventura SLSA remains "to-be" until FAA permits on-site inspector visits to perform the evaluation they elect for a new entry. Paperwork could be examined in an FAA office but a visit to the manufacturing facility is likely for any new entry.Current Specifications for Aventura 912*:
- Top Speed — 105 mph
- Cruise Speed — 75 mph
- Range — 300 Stature Miles
- Stall Speed — 47 mph
- Rate of Climb — 1,000 fpm
- Takeoff Distance, Land — 250 feet
- Takeoff Distance, Water — 350 feet
- Fuel Capacity — 23 gallons
- Empty Weight — 840 pounds
- Gross Weight — 1,430 pounds
- Useful Load — 590 pounds
- Payload (with full fuel) — 452 pounds
- Height — 7 feet
- Length — 23 feet
- Wing Span — 30 feet 8 inches
- Wing Area — 161.7 square feet
- Landing Gear — All three wheels retract
https://youtu.be/ifRWzVf0exc
If you pay any attention to LSA seaplanes, you should already know about Aventura. Certainly, pilots seeking a recreational waterbird that won’t ruin their budget likely already know the company, Aero Adventure. This Florida producer has seaplane kit aircraft that can get airborne for less than $60,000. Yes, you read that right and that figure includes everything needed although you may elect added-cost options such as glass avionics or a specialized paint job. While some models of LSA seaplanes appeal to the wealthy class at prices approaching $400,000, Aero Adventure makes …seaplanes for the rest of us. Two years ago, Aero Adventure was focused on their S-17 model featuring the 117-horsepower AeroMomentum engine. You could buy a factory-built version of this on a very limited basis as the company periodically put their airshow model up for sale as a used aircraft. For 2020, however, the DeLand, Florida company is throwing the door open much more widely.
Ultralight April 2020 — First in the Vintage Series: Buccaneer XA
A frequent comment I hear is that the price of recreational aircraft are too high. Some pilots have been stating this for 18 years, since a couple years before Light-Sport Aircraft emerged.
How About a Used Part 103 Ultralight?
Long before LSA were introduced, I flew a single-place Buccaneer with a Rotax 377. No, that's not a typo. Everyone knows the Rotax 447 but some never heard of the 377. The twin-cylinder model, a step up from the popular single cylinder Rotax 277, the 377 was actually a solid engine in its day. It was light and it was not expensive.First Up — Buccaneer XA Amphibian
About a decade after the first factory built ultralight aircraft appeared in American skies, seaplanes arrived. Not float-equipped land planes but boat-hulled airplanes. At first no one thought such a design could meet Part 103 tight empty weight limit. They didn't count on a creative crew from the lake region of Florida.Buccaneer XA Who, What, How?
Buccaneer XA is a single-seat amphibious ultralight originally offered in kit form. Designed by pioneering light aircraft designers, Jack Hutchinson and Bruce Pemberton, Buccaneer XA was originally manufactured by HighCraft AeroMarine, then Advanced Aviation, and finally Keuthan Aircraft. Another standout developer of the day helping Jack and Bruce was Bobby Bailey, designer and manufacturer of the Dragonfly hang glider tow plane. Bob lent his knowledge to the early design and production of Buccaneer XA. In 2020. Buccaneer is supported by Aero Adventure.Dave's Recommendations
If you are considering purchasing a used Buccaneer Amphibian XA it is The Ultralight Flyer's recommendation that the plane's fabric be tested. This is a simple, non-destructive test — you do it somewhere that isn't structural.https://youtu.be/YneNUVUeMiY
A frequent comment I hear is that the price of recreational aircraft are too high. Some pilots have been stating this for 18 years, since a couple years before Light-Sport Aircraft emerged. Back in 2002, many believed that the new LSA-to-come would cost $50-60,000. Right or wrong (about those price guesstimates), that range today would be $72-87,000, after correcting for the decline in the dollar’s purchasing power. The truth is that you do have some new choices at that price point but for many, such a cost remains out of their budget for any recreational vehicle, airborne or otherwise. To those pilots, I often suggest a good, used aircraft and we have more such LSA every year, many of which are excellent buys. Yet, how about we drop down the price further? How About a Used Part 103 Ultralight? Long before LSA were introduced, I flew a single-place Buccaneer with a Rotax 377.
DeLand 2019 Preview — Too Cold at Home? Come Fly Light-Sport Aircraft and More
Seaplanes Are Costly …Or Are They?
Aero Adventure's Aventura arrived on the scene in the 1990s. Around 300 are flying, so the model has lots of history. Prices depend on so many variables that it is foolish to quote exact numbers here. Please check with the company for the most recent information.A flock of Aventura aircraft gather on St. Johns island in the Caribbean.
Making a Splash
"The kit is available as a full kit or sub assemblies to meet your time, space and budget requirements," said Walstrom. "Our customers are reporting completion rates of between 250-300 hours." They say you can complete the kit in a few months of part-time effort. Certainly any kit taking only 300 hours is a modest investment of your time and energy but especially for a seaplane — they add some complexity due to retractable gear — this time investment seems very reasonable.Walstrom is located in north of the state, not too far from Tallahassee or Panama City, in Alford, Florida. Contact them by phone at 850-630-1286 (or see link above).
Once you're done, go fly from land or water. For those of you presently shivering in the northern climates, Aventura has a door option and, in a moment of need, that hull can even put down in snow.https://youtu.be/V6ppCwb2vA4
As snow swirls in the air and piles up on the ground in the northern latitudes, perhaps it’s a good time to think of Florida… specifically, DeLand, Florida. Admittedly, the weather in the southern state is presently experiencing a chill as cold air rushes down from the north. It may not even hit 70° today! You can relax, though. It should warm up to more respectable temperatures as the show starts and continues. So this seems like a great time to attend the DeLand Showcase 2019 that starts tomorrow (November 14th). With Florida in mind, let’s talk seaplanes. To put a finer point on it, let’s talk highly affordable seaplanes from a company based right at DeLand. You might have guessed I’m talking about Aero Adventure. Along with Aerolight 103 producer, U-Fly-It, Aero Adventure is one of the light aircraft manufacturers based at the home of the DeLand Showcase.
DeLand Showcase 2019 — Ending the Airshow Year for Light-Sport Aircraft and SP Kit Aircraft
Come to DeLand
I hope many of you who frequent this website will be heading to DeLand for the event starting next Thursday. Give a wave if you do! I'll be racing around collecting more material for this website and interviewing aircraft reps on video.What You Can Fly at DeLand
- Aero Adventure — Aventura, S-17
- Aeropilot USA — L600
- Aerotrek — A220, A240
- Aviat Aircraft — Husky
- Blades Over Me — Skyblazer 1 Gyroplane, AG915
- Bristell Aircraft — Bristell, TDO (taildragger), RG
- Cruiser Aircraft — SportCruiser
- CubCrafters — CarbonCub
- Distar — SunDancer, Samba
- Evektor / Dreams Come True — Harmony
- Evolution Trikes — Revo, Rev, Revolt, RevX
- Flying Legend — Tucano
- Icon Aircraft — A5
- ICP Aircraft — Savannah, Ventura
- Infinity Powered Parachutes — Commander 912/582, Challenger 503
- InnovAviation — FX1
- Jabiru / US Sportplanes — Jabiru J230D, J170D
- Just Aircraft — SuperSTOL, Highlander
- Lockwood Aircraft — AirCam
- M-Squared — Breeze II, Breeze, CH-750
- MagniFlight — Magni gyroplane line
- Pipistrel USA — Sinus, Virus, Alpha
- Planet PPG — Powered Paraglider line (wheeled or foot)
- Seamax Aircraft — Seamax
- SilverLight Aviation — American Ranger AR1 (open or enclosed)
- Sky Reach / Sport Aircraft Canada — BushCat
- Sport Performance Aviation (SPA) — Panther, Cougar
- Stemme USA — S12 motorglider
- Super Petrel USA — Super Petrel LS
- Tecnam USA — P2008, P92, Astore, Sierra Mk 2, Twin, more
- The Airplane Factory — Sling LSA, Sling 4, Sling TSi
- Titan Aircraft — T51 Mustang replica, Tornado
- U-Fly-It — Aerolite 103
- Velocity Aircraft — TXL, XL-5, V-Twin, SE
- Zenith Aircraft — CH-750, Cruzer, CH-650, CH-701
https://youtu.be/DiZzl6zpymo
In about one week, it all ends. Before then, DeLand Showcase 2019 is set to begin! As this is the last airshow of the year, it’s also fair to say the season ends when DeLand show concludes. This year is the fourth annual event. Since the Sebring show bid a final farewell last spring, DeLand will be the last light aircraft show until Arizona’s Copperstate/Buckeye Air Fair in February, followed two months later by Sun ‘n Fun. If you live in the eastern half of the USA, DeLand and Sun ‘n Fun are separated by five months. Yikes! You can learn more about Copperstate/Buckeye in this video with the Vice Mayor. Next week on November 14-15-16, welcome to sunny, warm Florida. Come to DeLand I hope many of you who frequent this website will be heading to DeLand for the event starting next Thursday.
Aero Adventure, Offering Affordable Seaplane Fun at DeLand (FL) Airport
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.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.
A Gathering of Waterbirds — LSA Seaplanes at Spruce Creek Fly-In
Droolworthy Collection
Not unlike Sun ‘n Fun or Aero, the waterbird gathering extended the candy store experience. I wanted to buy them all, but like the kid, my wallet is not big enough for that. Therefore, the chance to compare them side-by-side was very useful.Spruce Creek Fly-In Airport manager Joe Friend visits with Jana Filip of the Deland Showcase event.
Sun ‘n Fun 2018 ended a great event on Sunday. After traveling home Monday, plans called for a very quick turnaround to jet across the Atlantic for Aero Friedrichshafen 2018, which started Wednesday. For an aviation buff, the month of April is something like being a kid in a candy store. So many fun airplanes. So few days to absorb the images, stories, people, and excitement. Sandwiched in the 24 hours between getting home from Sun ‘n Fun and blasting off to Europe, one more cool thing happened: a gathering of LSA or light-kit seaplanes. Seven brands were invited by Spruce Creek Fly-In airport manager Joe Friend but rather ironically, two that are quartered closest to Spruce Creek — American Legend‘s AmphibCub and Brazil’s SeaMax — were unable to make it. The five who did make the effort right after Sun ‘n Fun were rewarded with a beautiful day and good interest.
New from Aero Adventure: Powerful Aventura S-17 (Still a Bargain)
Get Up and Go!
The added power gives S-17 Aventura spirited performance, especially given its lighter-than-most airframe.Are You the Lucky One?
Indeed, one lucky customer who travels to Sun 'n Fun 2018 can fly away in the one I saw. That's another good reason to attend the spring's big airshow. Since the company displays at four shows per year, you may miss Sun’n Fun 2018 but Alex said you can try again at DeLand Showcase, AirVenture Oshkosh, or Sebring Expo 2019. Limited production has proven effective for other producers and that should be especially true with S-17 price well below $100,000 for a well-equipped and powerful seaplane.Today I got a good look at the new Aventura S-17 built in DeLand, Florida — also home of the Aerolite 103 and the DeLand Showcase …plus a large volume of sky diving. In a word, S-17 is hot! One word is not enough, though. This light kit seaplane is also an unusually good value for a long-proven airframe that Aero Adventure has significantly beefed up. The business is Aero Adventure, run by Alex Rolinski who bought the well-known design five years ago. He’s a high-energy fellow who quit his bank officer job to go full time and the operation has plenty to keep him busy. S-17 gets its name from the use of a AeroMomentum Suzuki-based engine outputting 117 horsepower. By using an infusion process rather than hand layup fiberglass, Aero Adventure reports saving substantial weight while maintaining strength. “Yes, it’s more work work to use this method,” said Alex but the time consuming process more than offsets the 30 or so extra pounds of AeroMomentum’s AM 15 compared to a Rotax 912.
The Aero Adventure Continues — Aventura Light Seaplane Kit
Aero Adventure News
Alex Rolinski (R) flies with Gabriel Lapilli in an Aventura II.
Let’s make an important point right up front. Seaplanes cost more than land planes. A fully-built, ASTM-compliant LSA seaplane starts at $150,000 and can go way up from that point. With a boat hull and retractable gear, of course, these water birds cost more to manufacture. Must seaplanes be so costly? Fortunately, no! Aero Adventure manufactures a surprisingly affordable light seaplane kit. With the Suzuki-based AeroMomentum engine, you can get an Aventura in the air for less than $50,000 …yep, nose to tail, tip to tip, including a basic panel and powerplant for $49,000. Elect the super-popular Rotax 912 and the cost rises a bit to $55,000, at which level Aventura remains one of the major bargains in light aviation. Learn more about the AeroMomentum engine in this video. AeroMomentum has a few choices for you, Alex indicated, including their 100 horsepower AM 13 model or the 117 horsepower AM 15.
DeLand Showcase 2016 a Success in Inaugural Event
At every airshow I've attended vendors seem hard to satisfy about foot traffic. By afternoon each of the three days, visitors seemed to thin, nonetheless most airplane vendors reported good qualified visitors. Several companies reported "solid leads" developed at the event and apparently a few sales occurred
Attendees also seemed to enjoy themselves in the abundant sunshine and 80-degree temperatures of early November. The event ran 3-4-5 this year and has already set dates for next year with an expectation of similar weather. One thing many attendees liked was the easy access to go take a demo flight in an aircraft they might be considering to buy.
Smaller events like DeLand offer a compelling case for visitors for precisely this reason. Among such focused shows, DeLand joins a group including Sebring (coming up January 25-28, 2017), Midwest LSA Expo, and Copperstate with another in planning.
One smart decision was to pick dates near the gigantic National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA) show that occurred November 1-2-3 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The two events could hardly be more different, but NBAA attracts all the main aviation publications. DeLand hoped to draw some of these journalists since they were in the area anyway. With visits from AOPA Pilot, General Aviation News, AVweb, Aero-News Net, Plane & Pilot, Flying magazine plus a number of free lance writers and photographers, I'd say this date decision was a resounding, over-the-top success. Look for the work of those journalists as uploaded or printed.
Even though it was a tail-end-of-the-season show, DeLand attracted some products Americans had not seen before this year. These include JMB Aircraft's VL3 and Russia's SP30 STOL that first debuted in the U.S. at Oshkosh 2016 plus the Sky Tractor and a novel new avionics device called WingBug.
In addition, we saw the first installation anywhere of Dynon's new HDX. Installed in the panel of a new CTLS now produced by AeroJones Aviation, we shot a video with Kirk Kleinholz, airshow tech guru for the west coast supplier of the most popular glass screens in Light-Sport Aircraft. The new unit builds on the wonderful success of SkyView with more easily operated physical controls plus a slicker-than-ever touchscreen operation. Watch for the new video.
JMB Aircraft attracted attention with their retractable LSA-like aircraft. I've seen this company in Europe at the Aero Friedrichshafen show. They are impressive marketers and they wish to use those skills to promote their faster model that smokes along at 145 knots propelled by the 100 horsepower Rotax 912 engine.If the VL3 looks vaguely familiar to you, congratulations on your sharp eye. JMB Aircraft is the new production company of the VL3, a plane designed by Vanessa Air and produced in the past by Aveko. Truly keen readers will recognize Aveko was the builder behind the Gobosh 800XP of the earliest years of Light-Sport Aircraft. The 31.5-foot-span Aveko/Gobosh version is a fixed gear LSA model where the 27.7-foot-span retractable VL3 is allowed to perform better when registered as an Experimental Amateur Built or other experimental category. The LSA model maxes at 119 knots in max cruise where the high cruise of VL3 is 145 knots.
Russia-built SP30 STOL is clearly based on Zenith's 701/750 series although closer examination reveals a number of changes and such attributes as fully-bucked or solid rivets. A very sturdy looking machine, the example at DeLand had fat tires with chubby wheelpants that looked like they could handle fairly rough terrain yet still look at home on an airport ramp. This is a simply equipped airplane but it had a very modest price point for an all-metal aircraft.
Get more specs and descriptions on their English language page on the website of Canada-based Sky Tex Alliance.
The speedy sibling of the former Gobosh 800XP (see video) is this retractable JMB Aircraft VL3 capable of 145 knots.
Top left, clockwise: Just Aircraft SuperSTOL, Evolution Revo, Green Eagle Sky Tractor, and Progressive Aerodyne Searey, represented by FlyTheBeach.com.
Last but by no means least was an pre-release appearance by WingBug as this new device prepares for market in 2017. Because the product is undergoing final configuration changes leading to a design freeze, I don't want to be premature. I will have more information to follow in an article as the new season arrives and Wing Bug is ready to hit the market.
WingBug is being developed by Alex Rolinski, known to light aircraft enthusiasts for his role in a different company, Aero Adventures, maker of the reasonable priced Aventura seaplane kit.
Wing Bug is a stand-alone device that can clamp securely to any Go-Pro mount. You'll probably stick it out on a wing, away from influence by prop blast. It wirelessly (not via BlueTooth) sends air data, attitude, and heading info (ADAHRS) to the WingBug app on an iPhone or iPad. This is not simply a GPS gizmo or flight navigation app. For example, to provide airspeed, WingBug has its own pitot tube. It looks slick, can be used on certified aircraft, and may prove to be game changer. I'll have more early next year.
The video below takes you on a quick tour of most of the outdoor displays at the DeLand Showcase 2016. The first year event earned rave reviews from vendors and plenty were on hand as all 100 or so spaces were sold out. Based on this first year, the DeLand Showcase seems likely to enjoy ongoing success. Dates for the 2017 event are set: November 2-3-4. (Regrets to any company not shown; this is not a complete vendor review.)
The first-ever DeLand Sport Aviation Showcase finished on a high note with a sold-out flock of vendors giving kudos to event director Jana Filip and her team. I spoke to most exhibitors and heard zero complaints. By itself that’s rather unusual. Perhaps they were cutting the new show some slack but more likely their enthusiasm was because the show had indeed been well executed. At every airshow I’ve attended vendors seem hard to satisfy about foot traffic. By afternoon each of the three days, visitors seemed to thin, nonetheless most airplane vendors reported good qualified visitors. Several companies reported “solid leads” developed at the event and apparently a few sales occurred Attendees also seemed to enjoy themselves in the abundant sunshine and 80-degree temperatures of early November. The event ran 3-4-5 this year and has already set dates for next year with an expectation of similar weather.
Aero Adventure — New owners of Aventura amphibians
We all know the Aventura line of formerly ultralight-based amphibious light aircraft, dating back 20 years. Recently, Alex Rolinksi took over the company as the new owner and he details some plans as the company becomes re-enegized. Alex, an A&P and longtime pilot, gives us some general ideas about prices and they are to be celebrated as the costs are about as low as an seaplane can be. Hear and see the line on this video.
We all know the Aventura line of formerly ultralight-based amphibious light aircraft, dating back 20 years. Recently, Alex Rolinksi took over the company as the new owner and he details some plans as the company becomes re-enegized. Alex, an A&P and longtime pilot, gives us some general ideas about prices and they are to be celebrated as the costs are about as low as an seaplane can be. Hear and see the line on this video.
Aero Adventure Update … Continuing Upward
Does the LSA and light kit aircraft world seem somewhat obsessed with seaplanes? Certainly, it appears where a good bit of the most innovative thinking is occurring. However, to observe that is to focus only on the newest designs, the most innovative of which have yet to hit the market and may be years away. For pilots who want to fly today, Aero Adventure is one of those companies you should keep in mind. Besides the available-today quality, the DeLand, Florida-based company has a seaplane the rest of us can afford. Can you believe average kit prices in the mid-$50,000s and starting below $49,000? Even if you have not sought out this company with a long history, the brand may seem familiar and that sense may bring a recent memory of another sort. Yes, it was an Aventura that probably stalled, claiming the lives of two Aero Adventure team members at Sebring 2015.
Aero Adventure: Kit Seaplane Company’s New Factory
The city of Tavares, Florida ought to be feeling good about their effort to become their adopted name: America’s Seaplane City (FA1). The city built a fine facility and seaplanes are using it. Yet the strongest measure of their success may be that the city, located about 45 minutes northwest of Orlando, has attracted not one but two seaplane manufacturers. I’ve written about Progressive Aerodyne and their SeaRey several times. We’ve done video with Aero Adventure since Alex Rolinski took over the operation. Recently, we were hosted by Alex Gutierrez as we paid a visit to their new factory following a laborious move from Rockledge, Florida to Tavares. In 2013, this a tale of two men named Alex and a familiar brand in the light kit arena. The longtime friends got together in central Florida after Alex R purchased the rights, designs, and inventory of Aero Adventure.
LSA Seaplane Companies Cluster in Central Florida
The City of Tavares, Florida opened this impressive seaplane base in recent years.
A new optional cowling surrounds the new Viking Honda-based engine. Basic airframe assembly takes a reported 250 hours.
Modern features and 110 horsepower will make quite a pair on the Aventura II said the company.
Icon Aircraft receives a high percentage of the attention paid to LSA seaplanes. They’ve worked hard on marketing and been quite successful; their Facebook page has nearly 300,000 “Likes!” Yet, as I’ve written, this is a growing subset within the LSA industry with several interesting designs already flying plus new ones to come that are really going to widen people’s eyes. However, some of that remains in the future while we have present-day success stories. If you want a seaplane you can afford and you want it soon, you have several choices, for example: Progressive Aerodyne’s SeaRey and the hot little SeaMax, both of which are SLSA approved, plus Edra Aeronautica’s Super Petrel LS, and in the world of light kits, don’t forget another longtime player, Aero Adventure. The latter Florida company recently reported news. “Here We Come Tavares,” exclaimed a recent newsletter from Aero Adventure!
Aventura II
UP & AWAY - With gear retracted, this pretty Aventura II is seen climbing away from a water launch out of a lake nearby Arnet Pereyra's Florida factory.
BACKGROUND SHOT - The newly completed Aventura II in the foreground is pretty but the background tells a story. If you look closely, you'll see several kits ready to ship.
GEARED UP - If this isn't enough bells and whistles for you, you'll have to investigate an F-16 or something. This buyer wanted the works and it appears he got them.
REPLACEMENT HULLS - Arnet Pereyra now also manufactures the Highcraft Aero-Marine Buccaneer line of ultralights under an agreement with Highcraft owner John Gruener. Owners of these models will be pleased to hear that Arnet's new Aventura hull fits well on the older Buccaneers.
CRITICAL FUNCTION - Some of the many components Carlos Pereyra got right include the seals between the hull and retractable main gear. Nonetheless, a bilge pump is standard equipment.
VERTICALLY EQUIPPED - Prominent in both appearance and in the standard equipment list is this brand new BRS-1200 parachute in the new Vertical Launch System configuration. Arnet Pereyra provides this as part of the base price.
FLYING COP - Florida's Volusia County sheriff's department liked the Aventura II so much they now utilize one in law enforcement and search-and-rescue efforts.
BUILDING GUIDES - Many of the aluminum parts employ these reference examples which are carefully labeled as part of the company's quality process.
GO JUICE - With a 12-gallon fuel system, the Aventura II has some range. With the optional cargo deck over this structure, you can carry baggage with you (assuming your weight and balance check is careful).
PARTS APLENTY - With adequate financial backing, Arnet Pereyra can ship kits from stock. Here you see a large storehouse of components all ready for crating.
Seating | 2-seater |
Empty weight | 640 lbs |
Gross weight | 1,150 lbs |
Wingspan | 30 feet 8 inches |
Wing area | 161.7 square feet |
Wing loading | 7.11 pounds/square feet |
Length | 23 feet |
Height | 7 feet |
Fuel Capacity | 12 gallons |
Kit type | Assembly |
Build time | 200 hours |
Standard engine | Rotax 582 |
Power | 66 horsepower |
Power loading | 17.42 pounds/hp |
Cruise speed | 70 mph |
Stall Speed (Flaps) | 32 mph |
Stall Speed | 45 mph |
Never exceed speed | 90 mph |
Rate of climb at gross | 500 fpm |
Takeoff distance at gross | 200 feet |
Standard Features | Fiberglass hull/upper deck/ body sock, reinforced tubular construction, streamline struts, landing gear retract system, steerable tail wheel, 8-inch aluminum wheels, brakes, ballistic parachute, streamline radiator cowling, 12-gallon fuel tank, clear Lexan windshield, fixed rudder trim, elevator trim tab, double surface wings, quick folding tail, 2-color fabric, foam seat, ignition switches, airspeed indicator, altimeter, hourmeter, tachometer, EGT, water temperature gauge, compass, electric flaps, bilge pump. Spanish and English spoken. |
Design
Cosmetic appearance, structural integrity, achievement of design goals, effectiveness of aerodynamics, ergonomics.
Pros - Design may look familiar (like a Buccaneer II), but it's a new plane from a new company. Roomy and capable; a lot of good can be said about this new but proven plane. Familiar construction to ultralighters. Beautiful hull work. All fiberglass is superb. Works very well as amphibious model. Excellent capacity for occupants and some luggage.
Cons - Ultralights adapted to floats may be considerably lighter; heavier planes like Aventura II need to be flown more attentively to speed and space requirements. Company establishing good reputation but a limited number of aircraft are flying at this t
Systems
Subsystems available to pilot such as: Flaps; Fuel sources; Electric start; In-air restart; Brakes; Engine controls; Navigations; Radio; (items covered may be optional).
Pros - Many goodies are standard: electric flaps, retractable gear, trim, bilge pump, a good complement of gauges, and a ballistic parachute are part of the price. Electric starting was nice on the test plane.
Cons - When you have a lot of systems, you must learn to manage them; this will take more time and not spending it may cost you. Look at the cockpit photo - you'll see lots of levers and controls.
Cockpit/Cabin
Instrumentation; Ergonomics of controls; Creature comforts; (items covered may be optional).
Pros - Big boys won't be squeezed together. Even some cargo can be carried if occupants weigh less than 215 pounds each. Entry is reasonable by first resting on side rail. Reach to panel and all controls is excellent. Seats are very comfortable. Windscreen protection is excellent.
Cons - Many seaplanes advise only lap belts to allow escape if upset in water; personally I prefer the optional shoulder belts. Seats don't adjust. No other negatives.
Ground Handling
Taxi visibility; Steering; Turn radius; Shock absorption; Stance/Stability; Braking.
Pros - On ground or in water, steering is very reasonable thanks to steerable tailwheel and rudder. A wide, low posture makes the Aventura II very stable on the ground, and in the water it might just be even better. Good forward visibility and some upward visibility to the side allows adequate traffic checks.
Cons - While steering is good, turn radius is wider than average - plan ahead. This bird is heavy, you must also plan your stopping. Ground clearance is slight. Downwind taxiing in a seaplane takes practice.
Takeoff/Landing
Qualities; Efficiency; Ease; Comparative values.
Pros - Basic takeoff and landing operations are straightforward. Short water runs attest to a good hull design. Flaps will help steepen your approach path. Slips are easily achieved. Though you may never plan an off-field gear up landing, a boat hull can be safer than gear on rough fields (though damage may result).
Cons - A heavier bird like this demands more attention to speed and space requirements. In an amphib with retractable gear, you must remember what surface you'll use for landing - and put the gear in the appropriate position. Remember, "there are only two kinds of pilots|"
Control
Quality and quantity for: Coordination; Authority; Pressures; Response; and Coupling.
Pros - Very good control response among 2-seaters; even "good" when compared to more agile single-seaters. Very good control harmony makes for quick transitions from other aircraft. Crosswind capabilities are excellent (though you shouldn't need them on larger lake landings). Steep turns went well with good stick and rudder range remaining.
Cons - Roll rate isn't fast (like a lot of 2-seaters). Retracting gear definitely requires acquiring some good technique and then practice. Adverse yaw is clearly present. No other negatives.
Performance
Climb; Glide; Sink; Cruise/stall/max speeds; Endurance; Range; Maneuverability.
Pros - Amphibs aren't noted for their blazing speeds, though boat-hulled ones do quite well (e.g., 70 mph cruise). Climb is certainly adequate given the weight of this seabird (about 500 fpm with a Rotax 582). Low flying over the water is excellent, simply superb - partly because hull works so well should you touch down inadvertently. Docking is simple with the high wings and stable water operations.
Cons - Endurance is lower, range is less with a Rotax 582; 12 gallons will last little more than a couple hours depending on operation. You're pushing a lot of plane through the air, so more power is required to hold altitude.
Stability
Stall recovery and characteristics; Dampening; Spiral stability; Adverse yaw qualities.
Pros - Stalls, whether power-on or -off, went very well. No wing drop tendency noted. Accelerated stalls merely went to mush mode. Longitudinal stability was normal and dampened quickly within three oscillations. Power response was neutral to positive (acceptable for high wing pusher engine mount).
Cons - Some adverse yaw must be anticipated. No other negatives discovered.
Overall
Addresses the questions: "Will a buyer get what he/she expects to buy, and did the designer/builder achieve the chosen goal?"
Pros - You can get one! | meaning kits are in stock. Factory workmanship appears excellent; stems from an attitude to give a buyer good value. A base price of $22,900 includes a standard ballistic parachute. This plane can deliver most of the fun of flying an ultralight floatplane. Factory has earned good owner remarks for technical support.
Cons - A license and FAA inspection are required. Relatively new company, though no complaints have been directed my way.
If you’ve never flown an airplane on floats, you’ve missed a glorious experience in flying. Good as any ultralight on floats may be – and that means “quite excellent” in my opinion – even those pilots with that experience may have missed the unique sensation of a boat-hulled ultralight. With a few thousand hours in my logbook covering everything from foot-launched hang gliders to twin-engined Barons, I can honestly say my absolute favorite hours are spent in one of two ways: first is soaring flight, but a close second is warm summer day flying in an ultralight floatplane. It just doesn’t get any better. Having stuck my personal opinion into this article, I must tell you about a most promising company and their 2-seat floatplane, the Aventura II. Since Arnet Pereyra exploded into the ultralight scene in 1995, this new company has filled out their line of floatplanes with a roomy and fun 2-seater which deserves a close look.