Sea Era, Experimental Amateurbuilt, Single Hull Float Plane.

Sea Era, Experimental Amateurbuilt, Single Hull Float Plane.
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Sea Era, Experimental Amateurbuilt, Single Hull Float Plane.
After many years of developing and testing various model race boats and aircraft models designer/builder Paul Weston settled on the low wing, twin boom lifting body configuration for the single seat Sea Era.
The aircraft is constructed using vinyl ester resin wet layup over urethane foam with fiberglass/carbon fiber composites and two sheets of 1/8 “ Popular light three-ply plywood reinforcements in the hull bottom skin. Hemlock is used for reinforcement in other high stress areas.
The construction has been demonstrated to be sturdy and seaworthy during the 50 hour flight test program. Flap deployment is linked to a ten degree change in wing incidence in order to match the delta plan form lifting body fuselage and wing characteristics of lift and pitching moment as a function of angle of attack.
The aircraft overall size was constrained to fit within a standard single car garage while on a boat trailer. The initial design and construction incorporated provisions for a tricycle landing gear, however development of this detail has been abandoned and the wheel wells have been sealed.
Five pilots have flown the aircraft, three of which had no prior seaplane experience. All have returned with large smiles and report that it flies as well as it looks. Roll response is rapid and crisp while pitch and yaw are responsive and authoritative. The aircraft displays good pitch stability with minimal trim change as a function of speed, power setting or flap position.
The aircraft handles rough water well for an aircraft of this size and the flat upper surface of the lifting body is handy for entry and exit both in the water and on the trailer.
Specifications:
Length 17 ft.
Span 23 ft.
Height 5 ft.
Weight 650 lbs. EW 950 lbs. GW
Wing cord 2.7 ft.
Lifting Body Area 62 sq. ft.
Width with wings removed 7’4”
Height on trailer 6.5 ft.
Engine Jabiru 2200 85 hp. at 3300 rpm
Fuel capacity 16 US gallons.
Preliminary performance figures:
Vso less than 60 mph
Vs1 less than 55 mph
Vne 140 mph
Vh 125 mph
Sea level cruise speed range from 90 mph at 2500 rpm to 115 mph at 3000 rpm.
Normal sea level cruise 100 mph at 2600 rpm and 3.2 gph.
Photo of prototype is available. Tell me how to post it. Aircraft has 75 hours of flight time.
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