Mermaid Amphibian Light Sport Airplane
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The Mermaid Amphibious Airplane is a small amphibious airplane, aluminum framed and skinned, of the new Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) type with pusher-prop-on-pylon propulsion. It has a single mid-wing and conventional (though appropriately large) tail. It is an updated descendant of the Osprey2.
- It can be purchased ready-to-fly (about (US)$92K Rotax or $98K Jabiru) or as a quick-build kit (about $45K+ engine+ shipping +...) With a Jabiru 3300 (180lb 120hp air-cooled alum. boxer six) engine at 75% power it cruises at ~105 knots, at max power smooth level flight (Vh) of ~120 knots, a Do Not Exceed of 135knots, and climbs at >900fpm. (It can also be powered by the Rotax 912S, though that option may be discontinued.)
- The Mermaid can deploy or retract its landing wheel gear in flight, or in the water. It seats two side-by-side and has an autonomy of >4 hours. LSA's can be flown by anyone licensed Sport Pilot or above, and thus with a Drivers License as an alternative to a Class 3 Pilot's Medical.
- It was designed and is built by the CZAW Airplane Co. in Czechoslovakia. The US distributor is Sport Aircraft Works; Australian distributor is Air Noosa.
- Production is currently modest but the new factory (already in full swing) will be producing them at the rate of the CZAW Sport Cruiser early next year.