A few days ago a couple Super Petrel XPs arrived in Florida. In no time, Roger Helton‘s team had the pair assembled and had earned their Special Airworthiness Certificates, from two different FAA inspectors no less.
Development happens fast in light aviation; Mosaic will further quicken the pace.
Welcome to Light-Sport Aircraft where the swift thrive and those that can’t move fast enough fall behind. LSA is a market full of seasoned competitors. They’ve learned their trade well, surviving and some even gaining during the Covid upset. Any new creation coming to market will be measured against tough standards.
Two fresh Special LSA airworthiness certificates were signed by two different FAA officials on March 14, 2024 in Ormond Beach, Florida.
You think the pace of development is fast now? Wait as Mosaic approaches and company after company announces new products to take advantage of the “Christmas in July” list of new privileges FAA offered in the summer release of their Mosaic proposal (view list at bottom). The regulation is currently in review by the agency and according to their own statements, it should go live by second quarter 2025 (2Q25).
Super Petrel XP
Here in America
Typical of those veterans of this industry, Scoda Aeronautica from Brazil has learned to constantly update and improve their product. It is a testament to their experience and to good planning that two aircraft arrived in America in time for Sun ‘n Fun starting April 9th. This speaks to a high level of coordination between the Brazilian-based manufacturer, Scoda, and their American partner, Super Petrel USA.
This distinctive seaplane in biplane configuration earlier announced their XP project, described in detail in this article. Because the earlier article covered the change details, here I will focus on XP’s 2024 participation in the U.S. market.
The first pair of XPs has arrived and with them Roger Helton and his U.S. team were joined by company namesake, Rodrigo Scoda.
With great efficiency, the two aircraft were unpacked from container (nearby images), assembled, and had their approval inspection done. This happened in days, thanks to advanced planning and full preparation.
Moving Market
The LSA seaplane marketplace has seen significant changes in the last few years. California’s Icon revved up their manufacturing after a delayed start and is now producing A5s in some volume.
New Zealand’s Wave has completed its air trials after a lengthy development period. Deliveries have yet to begin.
Meanwhile, longtime market leader — still with the largest fleet flying, more than 600 aircraft — Progressive Aerodyne’s Searey appears to have gone dormant. Another popular choice is Seamax and it, too, has experienced difficulties. As in most small industries, the light airplane business can be a tough taskmaster.
Despite the prices of these LSA seaplanes, running past $400,000 in some cases, aircraft manufacturing is a low-volume business that demands high quality components and careful manufacturing plus having to meet a high standard for FAA approval. Getting all that right is quite challenging.
Arrows show where headsets can be stored; tidy and clever.
The combo of Scoda and Super Petrel USA make the job look easier. The LS model was introduced to American pilots as a Special LSA ten years ago as the last video below identifies. After the first importer established the model, Scoda engaged Roger Helton’s current operation in 2017 and they have since succeeded in a way many other companies would like to claim.
Our Tableau Public resource managed by contributor Steve Beste shows 53 Super Petrel LS models with N-numbers with most aircraft delivered in recent years. Worldwide, more than 400 are reportedly flying.
XP Highlights
Many pilots recognize that seaplanes need more power to separate from the water. A moving fluid adheres to the hull, creating “stickiness,” plus the initial acceleration in water is slower than wheels on a hard surface.
XP suggests more power and the Rotax 915iS does not disappoint. A boost from 100 to 141 horsepower spinning a 5-blade e-Prop propeller is certain to make Super Petrel XP a hot performer off water or land.
The cockpit has been modernized and optimized. I particularly like the centered main panel — with room for an iPad on the sides — and the extended throttle quadrant. The twin headset storage niches are a clever use of space (arrows).
A top attraction is the aft-hinged full canopy that replaces doors and a windscreen in older models (a nearby image shows both). Rodrigo Scoda is pleased with the wide-open visibility the new construction brought.
Since the U.S. team is ready and raring to go, you can make your way to Sun ‘n Fun for their 50th anniversary celebration and see Super Petrel XP in person.
Super Petrel XP
FEATURE LIST:
- Full composite tapered wings with built-in landing / position lights
- Streamlined carbon / aramid composite fuselage
- One-piece canopy providing unparalleled visibility and comfort for the occupants
- Structural nose area allowing occupants to walk in and out while beaching
- Longer hull enhancing hydrodynamics’ efficiency and floatation
- Electrically-actuated, hydraulically-operated landing gear retracting system
- State-of-the-art nose and main wheels with larger tires
- New brake system, including parking brake
- Maximum gross weight of 1,430 pounds for both water and land
- New fuel system with dual gauge indicators
- Baggage area increased by 60%
- Niches for Bose headsets stowage with headset control module in the side arm rest
- Centrally-mounted Garmin G3X Touch augmented with G5 plus transponder, VHF, Autopilot, AOA, ADSB In and Out, and ELT ACK 406 dual frequency with whip antenna and SiriusFM
- New Garmin Landing Gear Alerting System
- Central console with throttle control and switches
- Four position seat back adjustment
- Ballast tank with gauge indicator and electric in / out pump system
- Powered by Rotax 915iS turbocharged engine outputting 141 horsepower
- 5-blade e-Prop propeller system
ARTICLE LINKS:
- Scoda Aeronautica, contact info and all content on this website
- Super Petrel USA, U.S importer contact info
- Rotax Aircraft Engines, contact info and content on this website
- Tableau Public, our database for all FAA-registered (N-numbered) SLSA or kit aircraft that Sport Pilots can fly
- Sun ‘n Fun 2024, official website — the popular show is celebrating its 50th year (see XP at this event)
From my friend William Burgher at Rotax News Network, here is an update on Super Petrel XP with designer Rodrigo Scoda. This was published December 14, 2023.
From exactly 10 years ago, here is my interview when the very first Super Petrel earned its Special LSA Airworthiness Certificate. The interview is with then-distributor Brian Boucher and offers background on this design in the USA.
Christmas in July — These graphics show all the new capabilities FAA offered in July 2023. The agency is currently reviewing comments and making appropriate changes. A final rule is expected by 2Q25.
Is there a claimed benefit to the biplane configuration? It would seem to increase drag and make docking more difficult (the lower wing prevents coming alongside) but perhaps there’s a reason for it.
A great question that could be posed to the main designer, who may attend Sun ‘n Fun 2024.
As an owner of a 2020 Super Petrel LS, the biplane configuration creates so much lift that flaps are not required. Stall speed is 37 knots. Rotate at 41 and it comes right off the water. My last amphibious aircraft was a Lake LA-4 200. This Super Petrel cruises at 87 knots and has six hours of fuel. I just flew it last week from Spruce Creek 7FL6 near Daytona to Negril Jamaica MKNG. It’s a fun and safe aircraft with great Garmin avionics and autopilot. I just passed 300 hours on it and still love it. All seaplanes have a lot of drag. But this one is very efficient. Docking is a no no in most flying hull designs and this one is no exception. But for my mission it works perfectly. I wish it had more luggage space. The 60% larger cargo area in the new one will be appreciated.
I’m approaching 80 years old and when I learned to fly in 1980 there was talk of this coming revolution in light sport flying [though it had] some other name I can’t remember.
But as I look at dozens and dozens of airports around the Northeast what I see is fewer and fewer aircraft tied outside and with hangers going for $300 to $900 a month. I’m not going to expect too much demand there except for the very wealthy.
Just give me a 150 horsepower Cessna 150 and I’ll be happy if the price can be $60,000 or less. That’s probably not too likely because of clean 150 already going for $45,000 with only 100 horsepower.
I would like to fly until I’m at 90 years old. I keep myself in shape by walking a couple miles every day and basically watch my diet; neither a smoker or a drinker. All I can say is good luck with this pipe dream that just never ends.
Wow, 2025 huh? More like 2627. They can get two more delays up to 90 days, I believe, but anyway I hope I’m not trampled by all these people running to buy 300-, 400- and $500,000 light sport airplanes. My Remos 600 series has 700 hours on it and it’s just barely a down payment on a new Bristell.
After seeing the surge in the light sport flying [prices], yeah, right.
Cessna 150, 152, or Cherokee 140 may be the only Light Sports if they are made like sports that the average working person in their 50s will be able to afford. Cessna 172s are already prohibitively high so I would expect to see less than 10% increase in flying.