JUSTIN WASTNAGE / LONDON
Aircraft will feature composite hull technology developed for racing catamarans
UK company Warrior has secured $4 million to build a prototype of its Centaur light seaplane with both public and private finance.
The folding-wing all-composite amphibian will be built by Warrior (Aero-Marine) and its US subsidiary of the same name after securing a £450,000 ($640,000) grant from the UK's trade ministry, a $500,000 grant from Gardiner, Maine-based charity Maine Technology Institute and more than $3 million from private investors.
The company has completed testing a one-fifth scale model and started production of the six-seat demonstrator last December. James Labouchère, Warrior's managing director, says the initial funds will cover the production of the demonstrator, but an additional $2 million is needed for marketing, including a tour of US general aviation air shows in 2004. Major airframe parts will be made in Maine, with final assembly carried out in Salisbury, UK.
The aircraft will feature composite hull technology from racing catamarans, which eliminates corrosion issues that affect traditional all-metal seaplane hulls, says Labouchère. Warrior predicts a demand "in excess of 4,200" for the $520,000 aircraft, with strong interest from Europe. Warrior says it already has "four or five" orders for the amphibian.
Seaplanes have limited penetration in Europe, due to wingspan issues at small, coastal marinas. The Centaur's 12.8m (42.2ft) wing folds to 4.6m, and there is a supplementary motor for calm water piloting.
The aircraft will be shipped to Florida in the first half of next year for initial flight tests, including take-off and landings from water. Labouchère says if funding issues are resolved, certification could be as early as 2005.
The Centaur is powered by a single 195kW (260hp) Lycoming IO-540 and has a maximum take-off weight of 1,800kg (4,000lb). The aircraft can reach an altitude of 50ft (15m) in 173m taking off from water, or 286m from land.
Source: Flight International
