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SeaRey
Type Light Sport Aircraft (LSA)
Manufacturer Progressive Aerodyne, Inc.
Introduced 1992
Produced 1992-present
Number built 400 or more (estimate)
Unit cost Starting at around US $42,000

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Note from the authors: This article is far from complete. Please feel free to criticize, correct, or edit. We ask only that you sign your edits. Thanks!
— VJ McDonald (Victorjmcdonald 14:31, 14 November 2007 (UTC)) and Ken Leonard


The SeaRey is a small amphibious aircraft available in kit form from the Florida company Progressive Aerodyne, Inc.

The SeaRey may be registered either as a light sport aircraft or as an experimental homebuilt aircraft. Light sport aircraft, or LSA, is a classification of aircraft specific to the United States. Canadian Aviation Regulations classify the SeaRey as an ultralight aircraft. Because it is a kit-built aircraft, the SeaRey is technically considered an experimental aircraft. The registration category depends mostly on gross weight (1370 lbs for experimental, 1430 lbs for LSA)... although some have been registered at higher weights. {NEED SOURCE}

The SeaRey's high wing is tapered, and sweeps back from the leading edge with a straight trailing edge. [1] The wing, nearly 31 ft (10 m) in span, is strut-braced and covered with Stits fabric.[2]

Designed as an amphibious craft, the SeaRey does not use pontoons or floats as its primary flotation device; rather, it has a monocoque hull similar to that of a boat. The hull, nose deck, and turtle deck are riveted together. In the basic configuration, these pieces are made of fiberglass; carbon graphite hull components are available at extra cost. The carbon graphite option reduces overall weight of the craft by some 70 pounds (32 kg). There are aluminum strut-mounted floats under the wing on each side. [3]

The windshield and the sliding canopies on either side are made of ptical-quality polycarbonate. The canopies are track-mounted and can be locked.[4]

The SeaRey's single engine is mounted atop the wing[5] and drives a single backward-mounted "pusher" propeller. The SeaRey can be equipped with the Rotax 582, 912, 912S, and 914 Turbo engines.[6] The Rotax is a four-cylinder, four stroke engine with liquid-cooled heads and air-cooled cylinders. See the Specifications section below for horsepower and other ratings.

Unlike other light aircraft with the more familiar tricycle landing gear located near the front of the aircraft, the SeaRey has two wheels amidships and a smaller landing gear at the rear of the aircraft. Such aircraft are often called "tail-draggers". Standard factory configuration calls for mechanical gear retraction using a Johnson-bar type lever to raise or lower all three wheels simultaneously.[7] The landing gear have recently been approved for registration as an LSA.

Contents

[edit] Development Overview

Development of the aircraft that would eventually become the SeaRey began as far back as the 1970s with the introduction of the ultralight aircraft known as the Hi-Nuski. In the early 80's Stanley Richter, his son Wayne, Wayne's wife Nina, and Wayne's son Kerry opened Advanced Aviation where they designed and manufacturer a series of aircraft.[8] [9]

In June 1992, Wayne and Kerry, along with Paige Linette (another employee of Advanced Aviation) broke away from Advanced Aviation to found Progressive Aerodyne, where they designed the first SeaRey prototype [10].

The SeaRey had its inaugural flight on November 13, 1992.[11] Initial speeds of up to 105 mph (169 kph) with the new aircraft surprised even the designers.[12]

[edit] Production

Since the SeaRey is sold as a kit aircraft, the actual number of "completed" aircraft is somewhat difficult to ascertain. According to Progressive Aerodyne's Wayne Richter, "as of 2006 over 400 kits have been delivered to customers and are flying world wide."[13]

[edit] Design Succession

There is only one model of the SeaRey. Different hull designs have been used over the years, designated as "A," "B" and "C" hulls. As of this writing, only the "C" hull is available from the factory, and can be had in either carbon fiber or fiberglass.

[edit] Profiles

[Elevations showing profiles—need graphics]

[edit] Flight Characteristics

[Describe how it feels to fly the SeaRey] [Describe the interior arrangements—size, capacity, etc.] [Talk about visibility] [Responsiveness] [How does it react to turbulence? Why? Things to watch out for…] [Stall features]

[edit] Modifications Available

[Describe mods available—both factory and owner-inspired]

[edit] Cost

Component Costs: As of January 2007, the basic price for the SeaRey airframe kit is just under $27,000 (€ 18,400). Engine prices range from $13,800 (Rotax 912 UL2) to about $26,200 (Rotax 914). Basic instrument packages start at around $1,400. The carbon graphite hull option adds $6,400. A complete pricing table is available at http://www.searey1.com/Html/Searey Amphibian Aircraft 2.htm. At this time, Progressive Aerodyne, Inc. does not offer financing.

Cost to Build:

Costs to Maintain:

Overhauls: Recommended time between engine—and other-- overhauls

Hourly Costs:

[edit] Noteworthy Flights

The SeaRey has been landed on lakes above 7000' MSL and has flown from coast to coast of the U.S. numerous times. It has also been flown from Florida to Alaska and to Nova Scotia. {SOURCES NEEDED}

[edit] Clubs

There are active SeaRey owners in Australia as well:

There are two very active type-specific Searey web sites. One is open to the public; access is provided upon request by calling Progressive Aerodyne (they don’t run the site). The other site is owners-only and is for technical discussion. It has over 160 unique visitors each month. {NEED URLs}

[edit] Buying a SeaRey

Most SeaReys are built from kits ordered directly from Progressive Aerodyne or from a regional distributor.

It is sometimes possible, however, to find craft that are for sale by their builders or other owners. If you're interested in going this route, check out these sites where completed aircraft are sometimes available for sale:

[edit] Building a SeaRey

SeaRey Construction

The online manual will provide an idea of how the aircraft is constructed.

[Describe how to get started, tips, etc.]

[edit] Specifications

SeaRey Touching Down
SeaRey Touching Down

Data from
Progressive Aerodyne
Light Sport Aircraft Store (Canada)
SeaRey Aero

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 2 occupants
  • Length: 22 ft 5 in (6.84 m)
  • Wingspan: 30 ft 10 in (9.39 m)
  • Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
  • Wing area: 157 ft² (14.59 m²)
  • Empty weight: Varies between about 820-950 lbs (372-431 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 1,370 lb (622 kg)
  • Useful load: 550 lb (249 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,370 lb (622 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1× Rotax 582, 912, 912 S, or 914 (Most popular: Warp and IVO, 68 inch diameter), 65 hp (Rotax 582); 80 hp (912); 100 hp (Rotax 912 S); 115 hp (Rotax 914) ()
  • Fuel capacity: 42 U.S. gal (159 L)
  • Cabin width: 44 in (1.12 m)

Performance

  • Never exceed speed: (VNE) 115 mph (, 185 km/h)
  • Maximum speed: 105-120 mph (169-193 km/h (depending on engine model and number of occupants))
  • Cruise speed: 85-100 mph (137 km/h (depending on engine model and number of occupants))
  • Stall speed: 36-42 mph (58-68 km/h (depending on engine model and number of occupants))
  • Range: ??? miles (??? km)
  • Service ceiling ??,??? ft (?,??? m)
  • Rate of climb: 700-1200 ft/min (3.6-6.1 m/s (depending on engine model and number of occupants))
  • Wing loading: 8.73 lb/ft^2 (3.96 kg/m^2)
  • Minimum power/mass: 0.??? hp/lb (??? W/kg)
  • Fuel consumption (Rotax 582): 4.5 US gal/h (17.0 L/h) 89-93 octane, unleaded gasoline
  • Fuel consumption (Rotax 912): 3.5 US gal/h (13.25 L/h) 89 - 93 octane, unleaded gasoline (best) or Avgas 100LL
  • Takeoff: 150-400 ft (46-122 m) (depending on engine model and number of occupants)
Engine Rotax 912 (80 HP) Rotax 912S (100 HP) Rotax 914 (115 HP)
Specification Solo Dual Solo Dual Solo Dual
Cruise Speed 85 MPH 85 MPH 95 MPH 100 MPH 100 MPH 100 MPH

[edit] Citations

[List citations, sources, etc. Number.]

[edit] References

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[edit] External Links

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[edit] Related Content

[List other Wiki articles that relate to this one.]

[edit] Related development

[edit] Comparable aircraft

[edit] See also

Great photos, impressions, and information about building and flying the SeaRey may be found at http://www.searey.aero/.

[edit] Lists relating to aviation

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