It’s cold up north. So, time for a winter boat show? What’s that got to do with seaplanes? Why don’t organizers present the Minneapolis Boat Show in spring or summer? Fact: Minnesota owns 30% more boats per capita than any other American state. Wisconsin is in third while South Carolina is second. Florida leads the nation in registered boats but it has a larger population than Minnesota.
Who cares about boats (or seaplanes) in the dead of winter? Well, what better way to endure icy streets and frigid temperatures than to go look at boats and dream of using them come summer — Plan Ahead!
As with airplanes, boats can’t be built overnight, so ordering early ensures that when the lakes finally do open up, fun starts quickly thereafter.
Affordable Aventura
I know the word “affordable” is packed with meaning and that it signifies something different to each individual. Nonetheless, I think it’s correct to state Aero Adventure makes some the most affordable amphibians* on the market. Heck, amphibious floats alone for, say, a Cessna 182 would cost more than the Florida company’s entire aircraft, brand new. If you’ve never priced seaplanes, you may be in for a surprise.
Aventura has been in operation for many years and has hundreds of their aircraft flying. These were produced by different business operations over the years but the company is in its most stable form today under the leadership of Alex Rolinski.
Recently, Aero Adventure sent out a list of compelling reasons to consider their amphibian.
The company’s Aventura II seaplane “is a versatile aircraft that is designed for recreational and commercial purposes, with safety requirements.” Alex listed several worthy reasons to consider their Aventura:
Water Operations: “This allows for access to remote locations,” wrote Alex, “including the ability to explore areas that are difficult to reach by other means of transportation, providing you with a beautiful experience, different from any other airplane operation!”
I add an argument that landable bodies of water outnumber airports by at least ten times and if you include every body of water that might permit an emergency landing, the number goes off the charts. You can safely land an amphibious seaplane in many more places.
Short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability: “Aventura II seaplane can take off and land in relatively short distances, making it useful for operations in areas with limited runway space.” See specifications below.
Durability and reliability: “Aventura is built with high-quality materials and is designed to withstand the rigors of operating in various environments.”
Safety: “Aventura models are equipped with multiple safety features and are designed to meet or exceed industry safety standards, besides a faultless history of accidents. This airplane never had a structural failure in more than 20 years of operation,” reported Alex.
Utility: “Aventura II an be used for a variety of purposes, such as recreation, sightseeing, fishing, wildlife observation, and more.”
Affordable: “Aventura II is fuel-efficient, keeping operating costs lower. The Kit is the most affordable seaplane in the market, and takes around 250 hours to build.”
Customizability: “Aventura II can be configured to suit a variety of different needs, with options such as panels (from analog to full glass), wheels, skis, and six engine options.”
Maneuverability: “Aventura models are highly maneuverable, which allows for precise control and handling in a variety of different conditions.”
Comfort: “Aventura II is designed to provide a comfortable and enjoyable flying experience, with features such as a spacious cabin with or without windows that offer excellent visibility.”
Alex believes — and my own experience agrees with his view — that a seaplane like Aventura II can open up many new possibilities for adventure, access to remote areas, and the ability to explore new places.
How Affordable?
In late 2022, Alex stated, “$25,000 for a full Aventura I airframe kit. Add an MZ202 engine and allow $1,000 for very basic avionics and you can get airborne for only $32,000.” Yes, you’ll invest a couple hundred hours of labor to assemble but that makes Aventura I among the lowest-cost, fixed-wing, three-axis seaplanes money can buy. They can build it for you, if you prefer. Contact Aero Adventure for a quote.
In early 2023, prices start at $60,000 for an Aventura II kit. The factory can walk you through numerous options or features you may want to provide a more specific price and time availability. However, Alex presently states that kits are available in four months.
An Aventura LSA starts at $119,900. Kit versions are available in six months. A fully built model needs a direct quote from the producer. Various types of equipment can be fitted. Aventura II models are available as a kit, an “assisted” kit, a fully-built Special LSA model or you could elect an Experimental LSA, for example, if you want to do all you own maintenance.
Home at DeLand (KDED) — Aero Adventure has been stable at DeLand for several years. The company is now part of a larger enterprise called Aero Affinity, which can supply a variety of aircraft and services. They maintain hangars and operate full-time on the popular sky diving airport. Aero Adventure is nearby neighbors with Part 103 producer U-Fly-It of Aerolite 103 fame and AeroSport‘s southern U.S. operation for the Bushcat line of LSA and kit aircraft plus other services.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Aventura II
data supplied by manufacturer
- Gross Weight — 1,430 pounds
- Empty Weight — 880 pounds
- Height — 7 feet
- Length — 23 feet
- Wing Span — 30 feet 8 inches
- Wing Area — 161.7 square feet
- Stall, with best flaps — mph 38 miles per hour
- Stall, flaps retracted — 42 miles per hour
- Top Speed — 105 miles per hour
- Cruise Speed, common — 75-85 miles per hour
- Range — 300 statute miles
- Rate of Climb, pilot only — 1,200 feet per minute
- Takeoff Distance, Land — 250 feet
- Takeoff Distance, Water — 350 feet
- Landing Distance — 200 feet
- Fuel Capacity — 12 or 23 U.S. gallons
ARTICLE LINKS:
- Aero Adventure, factory wesbite
- Aero Affinity, business website
- Aero Adventure, full contact information and all Aventura content on this website
- DeLand Showcase event
- DeLand municipal airport, city website
- Sun ‘n Fun 2023, again offering the LSA Mall by LAMA, sponsored by DeLand Airport and Aero Affinity
Lots of pilots love seaplanes or the idea of float flying but once they confront the cost of buying such an aircraft, they may be discouraged. Aero Adventure puts the “affordable” back in seaplanes with their Aventura line. They have higher powered two seater, too, but the Aventura I single seat, Part 103-capable model can get airborne for $32,000. Among new seaplanes that is a special bargain.
* For those seeking even lower cost options, consider a used amphibian, for example, a Buccaneer (a predecessor of the Aventura line of today). Check this article on used Part 103 amphibians available for even less.
Reply to Michael Hainen,
The most simple way to solve your problem is to get the basic med. If you do it in conjunction with your regular annual check-up, your insurance will pay for it.
So Dan, address how an LSA pilot gets the 2 endorsements required for the seaplane rating. Taking the training with a CFI for a regular seaplane rating does half of the requirement under LSA rules , the sign off to go to a DPE for check ride is one endorsement.
However, no DPE that I know of will get in an airplane with a pilot that doesn’t have a medical or basic med. The trick is now finding a 2nd CFI to get confirmation of the pilot’s proficiency and the 2nd endorsement..
I think this will depend somewhat on where you are. I believe you could get those connections here in Florida, but this state is quite aviation active.
Another major problem for many enterprises, even government, is having the right personnel in the right place to accomplish what is needed. With FAA being way off their usual travel, it’s more challenging to get some things done in a timely fashion. You may need to range further and be patient.
I would encourage you to reach out to the provider of your aircraft as well. They are sometimes in communication with such providers. Again, that may be location-dependent.
So Dan, address how an LSA pilot gets the 2 endorsements required for the seaplane rating. Taking the training with a CFI for a regular seaplane rating does half of the requirement under LSA rules, the sign off to go to a DPE for check ride is one endorsement.
However, no DPE that I know of will get in an airplane with a pilot that doesn’t have a medical or basic med. The trick is now finding a 2nd CFI to get confirmation of the pilot’s proficiency and the 2nd endorsement.
No question such obstacles make the task harder. You make some good points.
I would check with the fellows at Aero Adventure. They did training as part of their overall operation and I imagine they are still doing that. In any event they would be well-connected to know such things. Their DeLand location may not be convenient for you, but travel to Florida to accomplish certain tasks might not be such tough duty.
Dan, that is hilarious use of statistics, especially considering I am sitting in the heart of Minnesota this instant musing a way out, which is why I am on your website, which is all the more funny. Now what does that categorically say about Minnesotans? Well, not sure? Not to offend, of course and since I have to include myself… well, what a bunch of dooffuses!
Own more boats per capita and they still can’t out.
Why? Well, they left them in the water and now they are, ah, well… frozen in. A lot of nice ice houses though! And that airplane? Terrific barn find for someone, but we don’t talk about that until summer rolls around and of course it is a long affair — no, not the summer, the airplane talk.
OMG, now I know why I left here. DeLand is looking Capital now and forever. Flap the jaws but fly the wing!
Will