French start-up manufacturer Lisa Airplanes is targeting the end of the year for European validation and first deliveries of its Akoya ultralight amphibian. It says it is continuing to evaluate the market for four-seat and six-seat versions of the piston single.
The company, based in Le Bourget du Lac in south-eastern France, began flight testing the two-seat, Rotax 912-powered aircraft late last year.
It is gearing up to deliver the €300,000 ($430,000) Akoya with a 195kg (430lb) payload for the European ultralight market and later with a 250kg payload for the light sport aircraft market in the USA.
The Akoya is equipped with emergency parachute, hydrofoils, skis and a retractable landing gear to broaden its appeal among the private owner community, from which it has already secured around 80 orders.
The aircraft has a cruise speed of 124kt (230km/h), a maximum range of 890nm (1,650km) and consumes 5 litres (1.32USgal) of fuel per 100km.
Lisa plans to deliver five aircraft this year and 15 in 2012. The company says it will ramp production to up to 100 a year as demand dictates.
"There is definitely a market for bigger versions of the Akoya, possibly turbine-powered. Our customers are already asking for more seats so they carry their family and friends," says Lisa Airplanes project manager Vanessa Troillard.
"However, our immediate concern is to bring the piston-engine Akoya to market, followed by our electric-powered variant called the Hy-bird. First flight of this aircraft is set for 2013."
Source: Flight International
