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NOTE:
7/21/04 FAA passes the long
awaited Sport Pilot Regulations. A weight allowance for seaplane hulls
allows the Searey to be flown under this new regulation!
The
SeaRey's sleek, streamlined appearance is impressive. It is a high wing,
pusher configuration, taildragger. The wings are swept back at the
leading edge, with a straight trailing edge to form a tapered wing.
The engine is mounted on top of the wing. The cabin is designed with
side-by-side seating, and is 44" in width. Entry into the cabin is
easy: slide open the canopy and step over the side into the cockpit.
Upon seating yourself, you will find there is plenty of elbowroom (44
inches), even for the "big guys". The fabric seats are
comfortably cushioned, and you will find the side pockets handy for
storing necessary paperwork, maps, small tools and more.
The dual flight controls enable flying from either seat, and there is
enough space on the instrument panel to accommodate most any instruments
you care to install. There is enough storage space (about 13 cubic feet)
behind the seat to stow your fishing gear, or a suitcase for overnight
trips. Ground handling is simple and uneventful. The landing gear is
rugged and handles even unimproved grass runways with ease. The take off
roll on land at gross weight is 200-400 feet, depending on the engine
option installed. Lift off takes place at 45-52 m.p.h., and 65-70 m.p.h.
is the best rate of climb speed. Rate of climb is 700-1200 feet per
minute at gross weight, once again depending on the engine choice. Level
out and throttle back to slow cruising r.p.m.'s, and the SeaRey settles
in at 85 m.p.h. Top speed is 105-120 m.p.h. Control pressures are light
and responsive. The SeaRey offers stable handling even in gusty wind
conditions. Due to the installation of special leading edge extensions
on the wings, the stall is quite docile and the aircraft is spin
resistant. Upon throttling back and applying 20 degrees of flaps, the
aircraft slows to the stall speed of 38-42 m.p.h. The stall is gentle
and straightforward, and recovery is conventional. Release aft stick
pressure and the aircraft begins flying almost immediately with little
nose down attitude.
Make sure you raise the landing gear for water operations. Reach forward
and squeeze the lever on the retraction handle, which releases the over
center lock, and pull the lever to the aft position. Then release the
lever, locking the gear in the "up" position. Best approach
speed for a water landing is 62-70 m.p.h. with 10 degrees of flaps and
upon reaching short final, 20 degrees of flaps can be initiated to
further slow the aircraft's touch down speed on the water. Landing flare
begins lower than conventional land-only aircraft. A nice touch down
speed is 45-50 m.p.h. This lands the aircraft "on step" and
produces very smooth contact with the water. Slow speed water steering
is enhanced with the addition of the water rudder. Water operations with
wave size of no more than twelve inches is recommended.
With 20 degrees of flaps you power up for takeoff. The SeaRey will come
"on plane" without the need for pilot input to prevent
"porpoising". The hull produces a very flat spray pattern
preventing water from going through the propeller. You and your
passenger will stay dry, even with the canopies open. Accelerate to
45-52 m.p.h. to rotate and lift off. Reduce the flaps to 10 degrees and
once again climb at 65-70 m.p.h. Prepare for ground landing by lowering
the landing gear and locking it into place. Use the same approach and
landing procedure as with the water landing. The sliding canopies
provide extra cabin comfort. A nice feature of the SeaRey is the ability
to fly unaffected with the canopies either opened or closed. In warmer
climates the canopies can be opened to enjoy the breeze, and closed in
cooler weather to help stay warm. The closed canopies also dampen engine
noise inside the cockpit.
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