Scottish operator to kick off with charters using Cessna T206H after successful trials
Loch Lomond Seaplanes will this week begin the first seaplane charter operation in the UK. The Glasgow, Scotland-based operator also plans within 12 months to operate what is believed will be Europe's only scheduled seaplane service.
Loch Lomond Seaplanes founder and managing director David West says the company has overcome numerous operational and bureaucratic hurdles to reach this stage, as seaplane transport in the UK is a novelty. "It has been hard slog," he says. The company conducted operational trials consisting of at least 200 take-offs and landings on water with a Piper Super Cub, "but the service has already received an overwhelming response both from the public and industry and already a burgeoning orderbook for tours", he says. Five lake-based hotels are committed to building £20,000 ($35,200) pontoons to accommodate the aircraft. Loch Lomond Seaplanes recently took delivery of its first aircraft, a Cessna T206H Turbo Stationair equipped with Wipline 3450 amphibious floats, a modified exhaust system and a Gomolzig silencer to reduce noise by 5dBA.
The service is targeted at Scotland's thriving golfing, fishing and hospitality industries. West says there are several new operators snapping at the company's heels as the potential for seaplane transport is emerging in a region where there is an abundance of lakes and natural harbours and road travel is time-consuming.
West plans to launch scheduled services next year from Glasgow to the Kintyre peninsula in south-west Scotland, where access by road can take up to 3h compared with only 15min in the seaplane. For this service West is looking to introduce a nine-seat aircraft and is evaluating the de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, DHC-3 Otter and Cessna Caravan. "Depending on demand, we could add up to four aircraft to service the charter and scheduled routes," West says.
KATE SARSFIELD / LONDON
Source: Flight International
