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Top 50 Video: MVP — “Most Versatile Plane” LSA Seaplane Entry

By Dan Johnson || October 19, 2023 3 Comments

Long before "Mosaic" was a term anyone used*, one airplane stood out for its highly-original design, innovative features, and amazing versatility. Welcome to the once-wonderful world of MVP, the Most Versatile Plane. I am featuring this aircraft as part of an on-going series of our Top 50 Videos (of 1,500) on Dave Loveman's Light Sport and Ultralight Flyer YouTube channel.

The bad news is… MVP never made it to market, a shame… yet despite heroic fund-raising efforts, sufficient support never materialized. The good news… other designers observed what MVP offered. Around the time MVP was actively fund raising, Vickers Aircraft down under in New Zealand had begun work on their Wave that is now nearing market release. Icon's A5 was already mostly frozen for design but some European entries later showed innovations first promoted for MVP.

Developer Darrell Lynds scoured the world for investors. I went with him and other aviation pioneers to China in 2017 where Darrell worked non-stop trying to raise money. It was a time when many aircraft manufacturers went to China seeking investment (Icon and Cirrus come to mind, plus many others). Yet while more established companies raked in money, Darrell did not find enough to make the project a go. For all who think LSA manufacturers charge too much, MVP is an example of what must be done to get in the market — it ain't easy and failures are common.

"Astoundingly Feature Laden"

In 2014 excitement was high because LSA was celebrating its 10th Anniversary. In recognition of the new aviation sector, EAA provided a high-traffic location at AirVenture for a large display of aircraft, arranged by yours truly. Positioned up front where it was impossible to miss, MVP made a splash. The handsome prototype generated broad attention from the multitudes passing by. I could easily believe 100,000 people looked at MVP that week — huge!

Although MVP never flew, the company used renderings that were very convincing, especially given the technology at the time.

With that level of introduction, you might think the work got easier for Darrel, his son Michael (pictured nearby), and the rest of their team. While thrusting MVP into the spotlight helped, it wasn't enough. At Oshkosh 2014, MVP and it's minimum-letter web address — MVP.aero, no longer active — presented the "Most Versatile Plane" as the latest entry in the amphibious Light-Sport Aircraft market.

It was quite an engineering achievement, led by the extremely talented Mike Van Staagen, lead designer of the Cirrus Vision Jet. Carbon fiber was used extensively and Mike took countless steps to hold down weight. This was noteworthy because at the time, Icon was lobbying hard for higher weight — ultimately granted by FAA in Mosaic. The MVP team thought they could offer multiple innovative features while remaining within LSA's 1,430 pound (650 kilogram) weight limit for LSA seaplanes.

Engineer Mike Van Staagen used design wizardry to achieve capabilities without adding weight, a holy grail of aircraft design.

Michael (L) and Darrell Lynds (R) were the father and son team behind MVP. Darrell had previously been the most successful seller of Searey LSA seaplanes.

"MVP does not put more features (and weight) on an already weight-restricted airplane. Instead the design invited a paradigm shift from traditional thinking," noted the company. Their fresh approach is key to understanding how the factory could achieve goals set for MVP. "In the simplest of terms, MVP is not an amphibious airplane that has all of these new features added to it. Instead, it is a highly integrated collection of features, pieces and parts that become an airplane." In shorter terms, MVP was a clean-sheet design which could incorporate features as part of the overall design. MVP colorfully stated, "Once the old adage, 'an airplane is 10,000 compromises flying in formation' had been fully abandoned, this new attitude began to reveal amazing opportunities, synergies, and relationships." If that sounds new-age-ish to you, check out the videos below as company officials point out MVP unique aspects. "Ultimately, the new features become completely intertwined with the parts that make up the airplane," Darrell explained. "As a result the MVP delivers a diverse feature-set while also delivering a respectable useful load." With Icon and Wave flying well above the 1,430 limit thanks to exemptions each earned, MVP looks definitive as an engineering achievement.

Singular MVP

Flanking both sides of the MVP are nose-to-tail "catwalks" that enable movement all over the MVP on the water. "You can preflight the engine, inspect the tail, and check the wing’s aft mounted control surfaces," stated the company. "You can even access the aft fuselage to deploy and relax in a fitted hammock that stretches between the engine pylon and the tail."

Perhaps MVP’s most compelling feature is transforming into a versatile floating platform. What does this mean? MVP's canopy hinges upwards and back on a 4-bar link to sit atop the engine pylon. This frees up the nose of the MVP to resemble the front of a classic bass-fishing boat. Yet even with the canopy open, MVP’s engine can be operated to continue to shore or dock, or to motor along to the next cove or fishing spot.

This unusual configuration also enables a passenger to step up onto the forward deck to assist in docking and beaching duties. Excellent stability of the hull keeps the MVP relatively flat as both occupants move about. To create the perfect fishing or observation perch, either seat can be repositioned onto a pedestal up on the forward deck (nearby image). Going a step further, MVP's instrument panel is a self-contained pod that pivots up and out of the way, not only to help protect delicate electronics from dripping swim suits and flip flops, but also to provide a way to create a larger flat deck. Four hinged folding panels called the "origami deck" stow atop the forward deck under the canopy and can be deployed in two halves to fully cover the seats of the cockpit, enabling a completely flat floor from the bow to the back of the baggage compartment. This floor is level whether floating on the water or parked on level ground.

Deck Chairs

MVP's rearrangeable deck was indeed versatile. "This amazingly big surface on a relatively little airplane is just large enough for two people to stretch out and sleep," MVP said at the time. "Deploying a fitted tent and inflating a fitted air mattress makes spending the night a delight (nearby image)."

"Traveling from marina to marina on a big adventure couldn’t be easier with the MVP’s on-the-water folding wings," said MVP back in 2014. "Taxi up close and shut down the engine. Fold the wings and propel the MVP towards the slip using an on-board trolling motor. Also integrated within the bilge is a useful bow thruster to help make docking a breeze." With all these features, you might expect compromises for flight and handling qualities of the MVP. "Nothing could be farther from the truth," boasted company officials. "MVP should prove to be a top performer and a joy to fly in its class. High-aspect ratio, high-lift wings, excellent stability, crisp controls, comfortable seats, and excellent visibility will all contribute to making the MVP a sheer joy to fly." They surely believed what they said and it's not impossible but we never got to find out.

MVP's "origami deck" could be complete covered and flat to use in other ways once landed and secured.

Sadly, this fascinating flying machine never found the funding required and "by February 2022, the program had been cancelled," according to MVP's Wikipedia page. Certainly, MVP ideas found their way into other designs and fortunately, pilots have many other amphibious choices.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: MVP LSA Seaplane all information as originally supplied by developer

Length, wings extended — 23 feet 9 inchices (7.24 meters)
Length, wings folded — 26 feet 7 inches (8.1 meters)
Wingspan: 36 feet 0 inches (10.97 meters)
Wing Loading: 11 pounds per square foot (54 kilograms per square meter)
Width, wings folded: 8 feet 0 inches (2.44 meters)
Powerplant — Rotax 914 turbocharged
Power Output — 115 horsepower (86 kilowatts)
Fuel capacity: 26 US gallons (98 liters)
Cruise Speed, at sea level — 104 knots (120 miles per hour, 193 kilometers per hour)
Stall Speed, full flaps: 41 knots (47 miles per hour, 76 kilometers per hour)
Rate of Climb, at sea level: 1,000 feet per minute (5.1 meters per second)

ARTICLE LINKS:

MVP, all content on design on this website
Note: MVP.aero website is no longer functioning
All Dave Loveman videos in which I interview aircraft developers

* MVP was publicly released the same year, 2014, that LAMA started lobbying FAA to upgrade the SP/LSA regulation of a decade earlier. It was some years before the term "Mosaic" was coined. Nine years later, Mosaic is finally out.

Still need to comment on Mosaic? — See these resources, on this website; comment window was extended by FAA to January 10, 2024

The most popular MVP video with 270,000 views features developer Darrell Lynd and Dan reviewing the Most Versatile Plane at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014. This video ranked #9 in our Top 50 from around 1,000 produced. Our Top 50 Videos have been viewed more than 10 million times. https://youtu.be/entaJLKi5e8?si=Q6Lp4DTlCtFt6PrS Want more? You got it…! This interview with company president Steve Pugh has wonderful renderings to show you what MVP could have been. This video generated another 84,000 views. https://youtu.be/eiNrsEvW2pI?si=ZMhAqbO4IgFKBLqW A promotional flyer distributed at Oshkosh showed the endorsement of several prominent individuals.

Long before “Mosaic” was a term anyone used*, one airplane stood out for its highly-original design, innovative features, and amazing versatility. Welcome to the once-wonderful world of MVP, the Most Versatile Plane. I am featuring this aircraft as part of an on-going series of our Top 50 Videos (of 1,500) on Dave Loveman’s Light Sport and Ultralight Flyer YouTube channel. The bad news is… MVP never made it to market, a shame… yet despite heroic fund-raising efforts, sufficient support never materialized. The good news… other designers observed what MVP offered. Around the time MVP was actively fund raising, Vickers Aircraft down under in New Zealand had begun work on their Wave that is now nearing market release. Icon’s A5 was already mostly frozen for design but some European entries later showed innovations first promoted for MVP. Developer Darrell Lynds scoured the world for investors. I went with him and other aviation pioneers to China in 2017 where Darrell worked non-stop trying to raise money.

MVP.aero — MVP (Most Versatile Plane)

By Dan Johnson || August 19, 2016 2 Comments

One of the biggest splashes at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014 came with the debut of the MVP.aero's new offering, their MVP that stands for Most Versatile Plane. The mockup was presented to a standing room only crowd of journalists and then placed on display in EAA's 10 Year Anniversary Celebration of Light-Sport Aircraft. All week long, it drew thick crowds anxious to ssee the many unique features of the coming SLSA model. Here some of the details in this video from founder Darrell Lynds.

One of the biggest splashes at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014 came with the debut of the MVP.aero’s new offering, their MVP that stands for Most Versatile Plane. The mockup was presented to a standing room only crowd of journalists and then placed on display in EAA’s 10 Year Anniversary Celebration of Light-Sport Aircraft. All week long, it drew thick crowds anxious to ssee the many unique features of the coming SLSA model. Here some of the details in this video from founder Darrell Lynds.

MVP on Tour — Thunderbird Pilot Joins Team

By Dan Johnson || January 18, 2016 Leave a Comment

MVP beautifully displayed in its appointment-only showroom at the Spruce Creek Fly-in near Daytona Beach, Florida.

SEBRING 2016 PREVIEW — Folks are headed to Sebring. I'm already here, residing about three hours north in Daytona Beach, and it is sunny and pleasant outside. To a Floridian, it seems a bit cool ... meaning mid-50s. Now, I know it's become quite cold up north, so 50s may not sound bad; we're softies down here. Opening day Wednesday looks improved with forecasts saying a high of 63 degrees and winds out of the north at 5-10 mph. Thursday looks even warmer with a high of 71 and winds south-southeast at 5-10 mph. Friday should remain warm but rain is forecast. However, the final day, Saturday the 23rd, looks sunny, cooler (55) and windier. Every day may not be perfect but the two opening days look optimal. For aircraft departing on Sunday, weather again looks quite accommodating with the high above 60 and winds out of the west-northwest at only 5 to 10 mph. "The MVP World Tour continues with it's first public showing in Florida at the Sebring Expo," indicated MVP.aero boss Darrell Lynds. "MVP's unique transformation ability will be demonstrated live with the camping and fishing configurations. Come and see the future of aviation innovation up close and full size!" In a similar class as Icon's A5 but boasting greater forms of utility (many details in this video), MVP, along with the Vickers Wave, are examples of what I call third-generation Light-Sport Aircraft. Although a few other good examples exist for 3rdGen LSA, these three — A5, MVP, and Wave — are exceptional developments. Icon is starting the effort of production while MVP continues in design and team building. Their aircraft has played to rave reviews at AirVenture Oshkosh and other locations where its has been examined. Speaking of team building, MVP welcomed Jeff "Roach" Rochelle to their team. Jeff is a fighter pilot turned businessman with more than 4,500 hours in the F-16 Fighting Falcon. "Roach" is an aeronautical engineering graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, a graduate of the Air Force "Top Gun" Fighter Weapons School and has a Masters Degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. His pedigree includes a tour with the Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team. Jeff joins MVP after over 11 years with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics fielding the latest technology in the F-16. Now the founder of an aviation company flying the Eclipse jet and Extra aerobatic aircraft, Jeff brings MVP Aero over 40 years of aviation experience as a pilot, engineer and businessman. Regarding MVP, about which he is clearly enthusiastic, Jeff aid, "MVP uses brilliant engineering to make the world's safest and most useful seaplane! The discerning pilot will appreciate this aircraft." Come see MVP and hundreds of other aircraft and all manner of aviation equipment at Sebring. You can also attend forums, talks, and business folks will enjoy the LAMA Dinner on opening night. C'mon down!

SEBRING 2016 PREVIEW — Folks are headed to Sebring. I’m already here, residing about three hours north in Daytona Beach, and it is sunny and pleasant outside. To a Floridian, it seems a bit cool … meaning mid-50s. Now, I know it’s become quite cold up north, so 50s may not sound bad; we’re softies down here. Opening day Wednesday looks improved with forecasts saying a high of 63 degrees and winds out of the north at 5-10 mph. Thursday looks even warmer with a high of 71 and winds south-southeast at 5-10 mph. Friday should remain warm but rain is forecast. However, the final day, Saturday the 23rd, looks sunny, cooler (55) and windier. Every day may not be perfect but the two opening days look optimal. For aircraft departing on Sunday, weather again looks quite accommodating with the high above 60 and winds out of the west-northwest at only 5 to 10 mph.

MVP.aero’s “Omniplane” Tour

By Dan Johnson || May 20, 2015 Leave a Comment

MVP drew pilots and potential investors at the Palo Alto Airport in Silicon Valley.

At Spruce Creek in Florida, Darrell Lynds addressed one of several groups of prospective investors.

You have to love the English language (or maybe hate it for the same reason): New words keep arriving in conversations. Team MVP used the term "triphibian" to mean a Light-Sport Aircraft seaplane entry that could land on runways, waterways, or snow. Of course, many amphibious seaplanes could make a similar claim so perhaps it took something even better. Enter "Omniplane." Is this the plane that can do it all? In May of 2015, MVP.aero went on tour, hitting the west coast area known as Silicon Valley, then traveling over 2,000 miles to Daytona Beach, Florida ... as luck would have it, right to my home airport of Spruce Creek (technically in Port Orange, Florida). The airplane was trucked across the country as today it is only a well-traveled mockup while the company raises funds to complete engineering and enter production. Silicon Valley and Spruce Creek are excellent places to seek investors that understand the magic. On May 1st and 2nd, at Palo Alto Airport, an organization called Aero Sports Association organized and held a well-attended event to raise funds in the worldwide center of technology, Silicon Valley, California. Between aviation enthusiasts and potential investors, nearly 200 people brought a wide range of backgrounds and interests to participate in an event organized by ASA president, ShuDong Li who said, "ASA is focused on building a platform to promote and develop China and US aviation and business exchange." Darrell Lynds, president of MVP, shared his excitement, "This event far exceeded our expectations. We met not only aviation investors and aviation industry leaders, but we were also pleased to see pilots and aviation fans from reputable companies such as Google, Facebook, and Apple. We had a good turn out and it was evident that a lot of people were interested in our MVP aircraft. We really appreciate ASA giving us this great opportunity to promote our aircraft in the Silicon Valley. We will also join the ASA team by participating in the 2015 China's Anyang Airshow, which will be coming up on May 25th." MVP made a big slash (figuratively, not yet literally) at AirVenture 2014 when the Minnesota company give a major press conference and debuted their new amphibious LSA in a special celebration display mounted by EAA on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Sport Pilot / Light-Sport Aircraft rule being announced. The company has already raised a substantial amount of money that has taken the design from concept to mockup into significant engineering and marketing efforts. Funds are now being raised in a very innovative method to carry the versatile design through FAA acceptance and manufacturing. In Florida, MVP was hosted by one of their two fabrication partners. In the western U.S., MVP will work with Glasair Aviation, maker of the Glastar and new LSA entry, Merlin (video). In the east, the Minnesota outfit will work with Fibercraft, based at the Spruce Creek airport. Mike Lynds reported, "We found strong support for the MVP in both California and Florida." (You can see more about the aircraft and its features in this video. Following on many other projects that overpromised and underdelivered, MVP is being very careful how they proceed. They refer to projected milestone dates that strike listeners as realistic. I recall all the excitement generated about Very Light Jets and Eclipse. While that company did hang on to produce actual flying machines, the development raised huge amounts of capital (north of $1 billion, according to reports) but was challenged to move smoothly from investment marketing to manufacturing. MVP.aero is keenly aware of this and other failed projects, which is surely guiding their cautious approach. Caution or not, MVP (for Most Versatile Plane) generates remarkable enthusiasm from those who study it.

You have to love the English language (or maybe hate it for the same reason): New words keep arriving in conversations. Team MVP used the term “triphibian” to mean a Light-Sport Aircraft seaplane entry that could land on runways, waterways, or snow. Of course, many amphibious seaplanes could make a similar claim so perhaps it took something even better. Enter “Omniplane.” Is this the plane that can do it all? In May of 2015, MVP.aero went on tour, hitting the west coast area known as Silicon Valley, then traveling over 2,000 miles to Daytona Beach, Florida … as luck would have it, right to my home airport of Spruce Creek (technically in Port Orange, Florida). The airplane was trucked across the country as today it is only a well-traveled mockup while the company raises funds to complete engineering and enter production. Silicon Valley and Spruce Creek are excellent places to seek investors that understand the magic.

MVP Traveling to Europe and Touring USA

By Dan Johnson || March 29, 2015 Leave a Comment

Find additional MVP details in this earlier article.

all images courtesy MVP.aero

With training in software and a background as an entrepreneur, MVP.aero president Darrell Lynds (R) also had years of experience with the Searey LSA amphibian. Son Mike Lynds is an A&P and accomplished builder handling digital marketing.

In the first decade of Light-Sport Aircraft we saw a new model emerge nearly every month; some months brought more than one model. SLSA approvals reached 136 aircraft, most of them land-based aircraft (our SLSA list describes each type). To general aviation pilots used to a genuinely new aircraft model once a decade or so, this LSA development outpouring was phenomenal. Cirrus SR20 was certified 17 years ago in 1998; how many other all-new GA models can you name since? By 2015, the torrid pace has slowed for various reasons and now we see more incremental changes on Light-Sport Aircraft, by which I mean new engines, interior changes, new avionics or other features, and so forth. This is much like in the GA world and I see nothing wrong with that, but it is less inspiring than a constant flow of brand-new concepts. Rushing into this all-new-design gap like a tsunami filling a Pacific atoll are LSA seaplanes. Most storied among them is the A5 but Icon Aircraft has competitors hot on their tail. One of the most versatile of these is MVP, in fact, "Versatile" is literally its middle name. Since seeing is believing, we have two solutions for you. One is that MVP is going on tour. The progressive company is going to Boeing Field in Seattle over April 24 and 25, 2015 and to the Palo Alto airport in Silicon Valley May 1 & 2. The company is also traveling across the Atlantic. MVP.aero (yep, that's the company name) built a static mockup display that is a full size replica of the MVP Model 3 aircraft. "Many of the mockup hull parts and interior cockpit parts are made from the same molds as the upcoming flying prototype," said company officials. They say — and our video shows — the mockup gives you a very close feel as to the dimensions of the aircraft, its cockpit, and the seating. Even the side catwalks — which can be used to move from cockpit to engine or tail while powered down on the water — are functional. "You are welcome to come and hear about MVP," said MVP.aero. European pilots traveling to Aero Friedrichshafen in Germany can look for MVP representatives in the exhibit building's Foyer East entry hall, space 03B over April 15-18, 2015. [Update March 30] At Aero, the company will have video and information but they are not shipping their mockup. MVP is a feature laden aircraft, yet many readers may wonder how that's possible given that Icon went to FAA seeking additional weight so they could deliver all the desirable qualities airshow visitors saw on their mockups. How does MVP.aero handle the same matter? "Putting more features (and weight) on an already weight-restricted airplane literally required a paradigm shift from traditional thinking," said MVP.aero. "This different approach is the key to understanding how we are going to achieve the goals set for the MVP." As observed by company design engineer Mike Van Staagen — the same man who led the Cirrus Vision jet development for several years — "MVP is not an amphibious airplane that has a number of new features added to it. Instead, it is a highly integrated collection of features, pieces, and parts that [join] to become an airplane." Mike's work with the earlier Cirrus SR-series and later the single engine jet project gave him a strong background in doing things differently. Van Staagen is backed by an impressive team that company founder Darrell Lynds carefully recruited over the recent years. This brain trust put much thought into their MVP. According to company reps, "MVP's most compelling feature is that it transforms into a versatile floating platform." The canopy hinges up and back freeing the nose of the MVP to resemble the front of a familiar bass fishing boat. The design is clever though; even with the canopy open MVP's engine can operate so as to continue to shore, dock, or the next fishing spot. In the canopy-retracted configuration a passenger can step up onto the forward deck to assist in docking or beaching. MVP's Instrument panel also retracts to allow more maneuvering room and to protect avionics from water damage. Four folding panels that MVP.aero calls the "origami deck" can be deployed in two halves to fully cover the seats of the cockpit, enabling a completely flat floor from the bow to the back of the baggage compartment. "This amazingly big surface on a relatively little airplane is large enough for two people to stretch out and sleep," said Lynds. "Deploying a custom-fitted tent and inflating air mattresses makes spending the night a delight." MVP's on-the-water manually folding wings are another interesting design creation. "Taxi up close to the marina, shut down the engine, fold the wings, and propel MVP towards a slip using an on-board trolling motor," suggests MVP.aero. "Integrated within the bilge is a useful bow thruster to help make docking a breeze." Flanking both sides of the MVP are nose-to-tail catwalks that enable movement around the MVP. Done on the water to preflight the engine or inspect the tail and wing control surfaces, MVP.aero said the design is stable enough that both occupants can be on one side without upsetting the seaplane. The airplane has such unusual features, I recommend this brand-new video to see more:

Details and New Video about MVP’s Show Hit

By Dan Johnson || August 19, 2014 4 Comments

Computer renderings courtesy of MVP.aero

Dock in a slip among the yachts using your bow thruster and erect your 8-foot wide, 9-foot long camper tent.

Using the line "Your Passport to the Planet" MVP.aero (yes, that's the company name ... well, with an "Inc." on the end), this Minnesota company made a great big splash at AirVenture 2014. Not literally in the sense of a splash into the water but from a marketing standpoint, the MVPers created a tsunami of interest in their LSA seaplane entry that buoyed activity among all Light-Sport Aircraft at the show. MVP innovation showed well in aircraft features (described below) and in PR savvy, calling the "Most Versatile Plane" a "triphibian." As the company is being created near Cirrus Design HQ in Duluth, Minnesota, it may not surprise you that MVP manages takeoff and landing on pavement or turf, water, and snow. The team also brought the term "origami deck" to airplanes with the occupied area convertible in various ways with panels that "fold" into different purposes. In all, MVP represents a batch of fresh thinking that forms a potent statement about how the LSA sector breeds disruptive designs far faster than hide-bound Part 23 Type Certified aircraft that seem to need an act of congress to change a bolt. Shoot, this thing even comes with a hammock you can stretch between engine and tail. Can you imagine Cessna or Mooney offering something like that? With great panache, MVP's team wheeled out their mockup (photo) and placed it in a deliciously prominent location at the front of EAA's 10-Year Celebration of SP/LSA exhibit right at Boeing Plaza. We didn't see anything of the wheel landing gear at Oshkosh, but it was hinted that more surprises will be announced at future shows. This company has done well to keep things private until they debuted this summer and some aspects of the all-new design are still under wraps. We also didn't see the adaptation for snow landings. Construction is a combination of glass and carbon fiber though wings are fabric covered, a big weight saver. The wing is also what's called "Hershey Bar" after the uniformly rectangular candy bar (see link below; click "Top"). This decision allowed fabricators to make a single wing rib and an example was passed around at the Oshkosh press conference for journalist to see how little weight each one adds. By using a common shape, construction cost and speed will be considerably enhanced. Check out more about the airplane at this link (it's cool and fun). Our new video seen below will go into more detail about the upward hinging canopy and instrument pod. We'll show you some of the deployable surfaces that you store under the nose deck. You can also hear about the docking system. After taxiing close — which can be done with the canopy up, allowing better visibility and convenient egress to secure the plane to dock — the MVP pilot powers up close and shuts down the engine. One person can fold the wings, and afterward propel MVP towards the dock with a trolling motor. Integrated within the bilge pump is a useful bow thruster to help push MVP during docking. Once tied down, erect your optional camper tent (photo) and you are set for the night. The point of these many capabilities is to make MVP, well ... more versatile. Most seaplanes get you to the destination just fine but then you have to leave the plane to do whatever you planned. With MVP, you keep using the airplane into your vacation. To permit these many unique features, MVP's top engineer Mike Van Staagen said that keeping weight down wherever possible has been a primary goal. Plenty of people were interested and so a common question was, "When can I get one?" A scale model flew in 2013 and a full-size MVP should fly in early 2016. MVP.aero plans to start deliveries in 2017 as an Experimental Amateur-Built kit. An SLSA model will arrive in 2019. This may sound like a distant future but other companies have made promises not kept, so MVPers are being suitably conservative. The company forecast the factory built version will sell for a base price of $189,000 before some of the nifty options mentioned above. A quick-build kit version will be offered for $169,000 before finish work like painting. Two highly qualified centers on each coast have been contracted to build the ready-to-fly model: Glasair in Oregon and Fibercraft in Florida (appropriately, both are popular seaplane use regions). For those that find $200K too rich for a solo purchase, company officials said a shared-ownership option will be a key part of their sales plan. MVP.aero is certainly a company to watch; count on me to keep a close eye on this aeronautical wunderkind. ALL SPECIFICATIONS ARE PRELIMINARY Wing Span — 35 feet (10.97 meters) Wing Area — 130 square feet (12.08 square meters) Length — 23 feet 9 inches or 26 feet 7 inches (wings folded) (7.24/8.1 meters) Height — 6 feet 5 inches (1.97 meters) Gross Weight — 1,430 pounds (650 kilograms) Useful Load (option dependent) — 450 pounds (204 kilograms) Payload (with full fuel) — 294 pounds (133 kilograms) Wing Loading — 11 pounds per square foot Maximum Cruise Speed — 104 knots at sea level (120 mph) Stall Speed (full flaps) — 41 knots at sea level (47 mph) Maximum Rate of Climb — 1,000 fpm at sea level Fuel Capacity — 26 gallons (8 liters) with auxiliary tank available Powerplant — Rotax 912 iS Sport or 914 Turbo Still want more? Catch our video with main man Darrell Lynds at AirVenture,:

Using the line “Your Passport to the Planet” MVP.aero (yes, that’s the company name … well, with an “Inc.” on the end), this Minnesota company made a great big splash at AirVenture 2014. Not literally in the sense of a splash into the water but from a marketing standpoint, the MVPers created a tsunami of interest in their LSA seaplane entry that buoyed activity among all Light-Sport Aircraft at the show. MVP innovation showed well in aircraft features (described below) and in PR savvy, calling the “Most Versatile Plane” a “triphibian.” As the company is being created near Cirrus Design HQ in Duluth, Minnesota, it may not surprise you that MVP manages takeoff and landing on pavement or turf, water, and snow. The team also brought the term “origami deck” to airplanes with the occupied area convertible in various ways with panels that “fold” into different purposes. In all, MVP represents a batch of fresh thinking that forms a potent statement about how the LSA sector breeds disruptive designs far faster than hide-bound Part 23 Type Certified aircraft that seem to need an act of congress to change a bolt.

MVP.aero…Photos and Art of a Versatile New LSA

By Dan Johnson || July 28, 2014 Leave a Comment

MVP.Aero's main men (before they had a chance to change into their press conference logowear): Mike Van Staaggen (L), Darrell Lynds, Mike Lynds, and Steve Pugh.

A standing room only crowd just walked out of the pre-opening Sunday press conference held by the MVP.aero folks. This airplane has been in the works for many months but principals have done a masterful job of what might be called the "Apple approach." The giant iDevice maker jealously guards their press announcements and does well considering how many folks would love to blow their cover and tell the world what Apple plans before the company does. Kudos to MVP.aero (yes, that's the name of their company) ... it was founded by a father and son team of software experts and they clearly know how to play that game; they kept their secret very well. To bring you the fastest breaking news, what follows is a series of photos. I look forward to fleshing out the story as time moves forward, but for this post, the pictures are worth more than thousands of words. So look and enjoy; stay tuned for more as Oshkosh kicks off. • Oh, one more thought about MVP.aero at AirVenture 2014. While waiting for the press briefing to start, I overheard some journalists talking. These were folks who report on the heavy iron, King Airs, Embraer bizjets, and such. Yet they agreed between themselves and declared, "That aircraft outside, that new LSA seaplane, is probably the hit of the show." They gave the emphasis and again, these were folks who don't usually cover light aircraft. Of course, their view is subjective, but I found it interesting, and well ... you judge for yourself and see if the Most Versatile Plane meets qualifies as a hit.

Versatile LSA Seaplane to Debut at AirVenture 2014

By Dan Johnson || July 14, 2014 Leave a Comment

MVP.aero wants to tempt you to come by EAA's 10th LSA Anniversary Celebration exhibit at AirVenture 2014.

An entirely new Light-Sport seaplane will make its "global debut" at EAA AirVenture 2014 and this is one you'll want to see up close and in detail. As with a number of other persons, I have been briefed on this new entry and, like the others, I signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement to keep the new project under wraps until company leaders were ready to reveal their new flying machine. At the coming summer celebration of flight in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, everyone will finally get to see what has excited many of those NDA signers. Airshow visitors will see a mockup, but if the full-size concept looks even remotely as good as it did in the computer presentation I was shown, be prepared to be blown away. This boat hull aircraft has features you've never even contemplated much less seen on any previous offering. You can guess some of what I'm writing about by their tagline for MVP, "The World's Most Versatile Plane." That's a big claim as we already have many good seaplane designs and more will be following. Yet after they get a chance to examine MVP, I think many may find the boast not out of line. On the day before AirVenture opens this year, that is, on Sunday July 27th, MVP.aero officials will make a presentation to invited media. By opening day Monday, the full-size mockup will be available for review by everyone attending EAA's 10th Anniversary Celebration special exhibit near Boeing Plaza, right in the heart of the giant event. Come visit and see MVP along with a wide range of Light-Sport Aircraft or aircraft that Sport Pilots can fly. I'm not the only one who has been impressed with an private preview of MVP. Cirrus Design cofounder Alan Klapmeier, now CEO of turbine aircraft developer Kestrel Aircraft Inc., said, "The MVP is a game changer." Another aviation big shot, Jim Irwin, owner of Aircraft Spruce and Specialty, commented, "In my 30 years in aviation, I have never seen aircraft features such as these." I've known Mike VanStaagen since before Cirrus Design won FAA Type Certification for their SR20 back in 1998. More recently, he has acted as lead designer for the Cirrus single engine Vision Jet being created by the successful Duluth, Minnesota company. Mike has since moved over to MVP.aero to head design of the new LSA seaplane. "They asked me to design the aircraft of my dreams [and] this is it," he said. If those comments and my enthusiasm for innovative LSA seaplane design has piqued your interest, go bookmark the MVP website. You won't presently see anything more than I've told you here, but after the company's media debut as AirVenture 2014 opens, the website will be populated with more detail. Based on the quality of the imagery I was shown, I imagine you'll want to spend some time looking at all they publish online. I plan to have more once the company goes public on the day before AirVenture 2014 starts. Summertime LSA seaplane flying is getting truly interesting. Stay tuned!

An entirely new Light-Sport seaplane will make its “global debut” at EAA AirVenture 2014 and this is one you’ll want to see up close and in detail. As with a number of other persons, I have been briefed on this new entry and, like the others, I signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement to keep the new project under wraps until company leaders were ready to reveal their new flying machine. At the coming summer celebration of flight in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, everyone will finally get to see what has excited many of those NDA signers. Airshow visitors will see a mockup, but if the full-size concept looks even remotely as good as it did in the computer presentation I was shown, be prepared to be blown away. This boat hull aircraft has features you’ve never even contemplated much less seen on any previous offering. You can guess some of what I’m writing about by their tagline for MVP, “The World’s Most Versatile Plane.” That’s a big claim as we already have many good seaplane designs and more will be following.