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The
SeaRey's sleek, streamlined appearance is
impressive. It is a high wing, pusher configuration,
tail dragger. 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.
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 elbow room (44 inches),
even for the "big guys".
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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. There is
enough space on the instrument panel to
accommodate most any instruments you care
to install. There is storage space (about
13 cubic feet) behind the seat to stow your
fishing gear, or soft luggage 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 350-400 feet,
depending on the engine option installed.
Lift off takes place at 45-55 mph, and 65-70
mph is the best rate of climb speed. Rate
of climb is 600-800 feet per minute at gross
weight, once again depending on the engine
choice. Level out and throttle back to cruising
rpm's and the SeaRey settles in at 85-95
mph. Top speed is 120 mph. |
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Control
pressures are light and responsive. The SeaRey
offers stable handling even in gusty wind
conditions. Directional stability is very
good, with no tendency to hunt due to the
large vertical tail surface. Aileron pressure
is light and should be led with a small amount
of rudder input. Pitch control of the aircraft
is well dampened. Upon release of the control
stick, pitch stability is achieved within
one oscillation. 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 38-43
mph. 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 to release the down lock and squeeze
the lever on the retraction handle, which releases
the over center lock. Pull the lever to the aft
position. Then release the lever, locking the
gear in the "up" position. Finally,
engage the over-center down lock.
Best
approach speed for a water landing is 60-70 mph
with 10 degrees of flaps. 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
45-55 mph. 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 large air rudder. Water operation with
wave size of no more than twelve inches is recommended.
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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 45-50 mph to
rotate and lift off. Once again climb at 65-70
mph, for obstacle clearance then reduce the
flaps to 10 degrees.
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.
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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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