Seaplanes / Amphibians - Floats & Hulls
What does the future hold for
Some comments on aircraft water operations over the years and what we may expect in the years to come. Economics plays a big role on taking a new aircraft to a successful launch with long term support. Today more water operations utilize floats than hulls. Will that continue in the future? Tom Anusewicz -March 2025
ME-1A
Mallard
Following successful test flights and certification, the first customer deliveries are estimated for 2028.
Sikorsky S-41
Mallard Industries' ME-1A is the newest entry into the mid size amphibian aircraft market. They are planning to build a small number of prototypes soon, with test flights to begin in 2027.
Antilles Air Boats G-73 Mallard
I'm always interested in those that continue to explore new ideas, as well as updating the older aircraft.. Seaplanes were introduced because the water was there when land based
runways were not.
As more runways were built the economics moved away from the amphibians but the need for water operations still existed worldwide.
Charles F. Blair Jr. was just one of many individuals that saw that need.
Virgin Islands Seaplane Shuttle
G-73T Turbine Mallard (Frakes Conversion)
Grumman Design 711
Antilles Seaplanes LLC - Super Goose
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The latest information has ME orders at
100 ME-1A's, for an aircraft that has not yet been built.
The two companies that have shown the most interest are
MEHAIR (50 orders) and JOLY. (30 orders)
Will that be the catalyst to give this new bird flight.
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MEHAIR has been operating seaplanes since 2011 and their vision for the future is concentrated on new technology. It is evident in their partnership with those companies that are developing new aircraft and powerplants.
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Mehair looks to switching to hydro-electric propulsion
Mehair partners with Sirius Aviation for 50 SMJ's
Mehair orders 50 PHE-ZE 100's
MEHAIR's seems to be well funded and focused on success. MEHAIR is an interesting company and we can hope that their efforts will support aircraft water operations well into the future.
JOLY Airlines was registered in 2011 with a mission to redefine the African aviation industry. Since that date it would seem that there has been good intent but not much substance. A letter of intent for 30 ME-1A's has been signed but will it become a reality ?
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Interviews with...
The Grumman Albatross SA-16/ HU-16 was utilized by the U.S Airforce, Navy and Coast Guard, with 466 built from 1949 to 1961. Twenty years later, Resorts International in
Dornier Do-X 1929
DHC-6 Twin Otter
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For over 50 years the DHC-6 Twin Otter has stood alone as the most reliable and versatile aircraft in its class. There has been more than 3,000 built since 1966.. The float conversion began in 1984 and continues to operate worldwide.
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The Twin Otter operators above from the Maldives, Caribbean, Vancouver-BC,and Copenhagen are just an example the many that operate on floats.
The Twin Otter continues to be manufactured today to meet current demands with new technology. The Pratt & Whitney PT6-27 engine has been a standard for many years with over 60,000 PT6's produced. That is quite the testimony for keeping on keeping on.
The new DHC-6 Twin Otter 300-G with Wipaire floats is a proven design with international support to keep this aircraft flying for many years to come. The reason operators make the choice of floats vs. hulls.is the reliability and support....
and the economics work.
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Trans Maldivian Air operates over 65 Twin Otters
Cessna 208 Caravan
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The Cessna 208 Caravan was certified in 1984. Since that time over 3,000 were built with over 24 million flight hours logged. It has been a proven aircraft. The installation of floats has allowed this airplane to be used in water operations worldwide.
The Caravan's 9 seats have worked well to meet the demands of many airlines that service remote areas. The single engine (PT-6A-114A) , single pilot operations have made this aircraft financially viable.
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We will continue to see the Caravan on floats for years to come.
A Venice Conference - March 2024
Jekta Switzerland - PHA-SA-100
I started my aviation career in 1967, with the U.S. Coast Guard, flying as a flight mechanic on the Grumman HU-16 Albatross. While in the U.S.C.G., I worked on AAB's Sikorsky VS-44 flying boat. Some years later, I joined Antilles Air Boats as a mechanic and spent several years working on a variety of seaplanes. After relocating to Honolulu in 1982, I was asked to advise on a few seaplane start-ups. In all those years, the seaplanes were hull aircraft, so I have favored that design.
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I have always been interest in the history of flying boats and amphibians but I am equally excited about the future. Technology seems to be limitless as we look at those that take on the challenges.
Once again, it comes down to the economics. Which project will attract the funding to support the very costly path from design to certification, along with the financially viable operators placing firm orders to make it successful.
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I have touched on a lot of different aircraft and operators and only time will tell which will be THE aircraft for the future. The current float aircraft are continuously being modified so they will be relevant for many years. These aircraft are very predicable, economical and when it comes to seaplanes, the 9 and 19 seat capacity will always be the optimum configuration. I don't see large capacity seaplanes working as well due to increase cost in ground support, scheduling, marketing, as well as other issues, the economics is fragile. Just some of my thoughts.
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Hulls & Floats... whatever floats your boat.
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Fantasy Island... In 1977, we utilized a Grumman Widgeon with Lycoming R-680 radial engines.
Another remake in 1998, a De Havilland Beaver on floats was flown.
Then the last remake in 2020 operated the
Cessna 208 Caravan on floats.
What will be the next plane or will it be just a fantasy?
powered by a state-of-the-art electric propulsion system
with hydrogen fuel cell.
Igor Sikorky began over 100 years ago to design and build seaplanes. His designs were proven and flown to the far reaches of the world. His S-41.first flew in 1930 and somewhat resembles the M-1A minus the new technology. ​​​​​​​
​Grumman's first G-73 Mallard flew in 1946 with 59 manufactured. Antilles Air Boats operated 2 in 1974 and by 1980 had 7. Fred Frakes developed the turbine conversion with first test flight in 1969. Virgin Islands Seaplane Shuttle took on some of AAB's Mallards and added 3 additional with a number converted to turbines. So as time went on many operators recognized that seaplanes were still the tool to meet their needs but needed updated technology …engines, instrumentation, avionics and composites.​​​​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​conjunction with Grumman introduced the G-111. The G-111's main modification was giving a longer life to the spar as well as some other updates. Chalk's Airlines operated a few for several years before the program was discontinued.
​​​​​​​​Similarly, the Grumman Goose which 345 were built starting in 1937, has had efforts to see updated conversions and new designs. In 1978, Grumman looked at a new project called Design 711. A turbine engine, retractable float, "glass fiber" hull and other upgrades from the original. It never got beyond the concept stage.​
​Antilles Seaplanes LLC started with 2 guys going into together to buy a "Goose" and wound up buying Dean Franklin's ("Goose") rights and inventory to begin building new Gooses...the Super Goose. But economics got the best of them and they closed their doors in 2011.​
​The Dornier Seastar was first produced in 1984 as a prototype with the hopes of going into production. The lack of funding kept this project from moving forward for years. In 2013, the Seastar was acquired by 2 Chinese companies with the Dornier family retaining a minority stake. The improved Seawings - Seastar CD-2 is scheduled for EASA certification in 2025.
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While the hull seaplanes programs either have been abandoned for economic reasons or new designs finding their way to production, the float aircraft became the mainstay for
water operations worldwide.​​
Dornier Seastar
All I know is that they all were da plane..
photo from the Bill Bailey Collection
photo credit Michael Prophet
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Sidebar...
I stated above that the DHC-6 Twin Otter has stood as the most reliable aircraft in its class for over 50 years. That came from the DeHavilland brochure but I too can relate because I was a ramp supervisor at the Barnstable Municipal Airport back in 1973 and responsible for fueling Air New England's airplanes.