- Sea Ray Owner’s Manual. 220 Select I Congratulations on becoming the new owner of. Sea Ray’s obligation under its Limited Warranty is limited to repair or replacement of parts that are judged defective by Sea Ray and does not include transportation, haul out, or other expenses.
- Searey Aircraft Performance Rotax 912 Rotax 914 Max Cruise Speed (mph) 95 113 Cruise Speed at 75% Power (mph) 90 98 Stall Speed Flaps Down (mph) 38 38 Stall Speed Flaps Up (mph) 47 47 Rate of Climb at Sea Level (fpm) 650 1100 Takeoff Ground Roll 350’ 268’.
Building a SeaRey. This is a log of my efforts to build a SeaRey-a small, two-place amphibious flying boat-from a kit produced by Progressive Aerodyne, Inc., of Orlando, Florida. How did I get into this (folly)? About five years ago, on a whim, I bought a copy of Kitplanes magazine at Borders. That night I was lying in bed leafing through it.
Standard Components & Materials
Fiberglass hull, nose deck, turtle deck and wing tips: The SeaRey's hull, nose deck, and turtle deck are composed of strong, lightweight, reinforced fiberglass. The pieces are riveted together. The nose deck has molded into it an instrument panel and an access hatch on top measuring about 9 inches by 10 inches. Fiberglass components are white gel-coated and need not be painted. However, they can be custom painted to suit personal taste. Fiberglass wing tips have drooped tips which extend back to the trailing edge of the ailerons. There is a raised section especially for installing optional navigation and strobe lights.
Sliding canopies and windshield: The windshield and sliding canopies are made of optically clear polycarbonate material. The canopies slide easily on tracks mounted on each side of the cabin. Locks are provided.
Fuel tank: The standard 18 gallon (U.S.) Fuel Tank is made of durable rotocast plastic. It mounts below the storage area aft of the seats. (Optional extended range fuel tank available.)
Streamlined wing struts and float struts: The standard wing struts and float struts are made of streamlined, aircraft-grade aluminum for improved flight performance and appearance.
Wing floats: The standard wing floats are constructed of durable, lightweight rotocast plastic. The color is white.
Flying surfaces: Wings and all flying surfaces are covered using conventional (Stits) fabric coverings and finishes. All covering materials, including silver coat primer, are included in the kit. Finish color paints are provided by the owner to suit individual preference.
Flaps: The standard SeaRey employs a manual flap system.The three-position overhead lever can be reached from either seat. The Manual Flap positions are at 0, 10, 20, and 30 degrees.
Electric trim: The standard electric trim operates a scissors-type mechanism to raise and lower the stabilizer leading edge. A fiberglass cover on the vertical fin protects the entire mechanism. It is operated by a three-position momentary switch in the cockpit.
Mechanical gear retraction: The standard mechanical gear retraction is actuated by a Johnson-bar type lever which retracts or extends the main wheels and tail wheel simultaneously. The tail wheel operation is cable-actuated. Over-center locks are used in both the up and down positions.
Wheels and tires: The standard 6 Inch tires and wheels include high quality aircraft tires which provide good wear life on paved and grass runways. The 6 Inch wheels are spun aluminum with precision ball bearings. The 4 inch steerable tail wheel has a pneumatic tire. The tail wheel has a breakaway feature which disengages the steering mechanism during a hard turn, allowing it to caster 360 degrees.
Brakes: Hand-controlled hydraulic brakes are standard. Braking is controlled by a single hand lever, located on the pilot side control stick, which simultaneously actuates both right and left brake calipers. Brake discs are stainless steel. Differential braking is not necessary because you can give rudder input while applying brakes, thereby turning the aircraft with one wheel remaining in place. One hand lever is standard, but an extra hand brake lever is optionally available for the passenger side control stick.
SeaRey | |
---|---|
Role | Kit aircraft |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Progressive Aerodyne |
First flight | 13 November 1992 |
Introduction | 1992 |
Produced | 1992-present |
Number built | 480 (2011)[1] |
Unit cost |
The Progressive Aerodyne SeaRey is an American two-seat, single-engine, amphibious flying boat designed and manufactured by Progressive Aerodyne originally in Orlando, Florida, and now in Tavares, Florida.[3] It was first flown in November 1992 and is sold as a kit aircraft for amateur construction as well as a light-sport aircraft.[1][4][5][2]
- 1Development
Development[edit]
Development of the aircraft that became the SeaRey began in the 1970s with the introduction of the Advanced Aviation Hi-Nuski ultralight. In the early 1980s Stanley Richter, his son Wayne Richter, Wayne's wife Nina Richter and Wayne's son Kerry Richter established Advanced Aviation where they designed and manufactured a number of different designs. The company produced the Buccaneer XA and two place Buccaneer II flying boats for Highcraft AeroMarine, and designed the improved Buccaneer SX. The company was sold in 1992.
In June 1992, Wayne and Kerry Richter, along with Advanced Aviation employee Paige Lynette, formed a new company, Progressive Aerodyne, where they designed the first SeaRey prototype.[6] The SeaRey had its inaugural flight on 13 November 1992. The performance, including a speed of up to 105 mph (169 km/h) surpassed the design goals.
Between its introduction in 1992 and 2006 over 400 SeaRey kits were delivered to customers.
The latest variant of the Searey is the LSA (also available as LSX) for the US light-sport aircraft category, introduced in 2010.[2]
Category eligibility[edit]
In the United States the SeaRey may be registered either as a light sport aircraft or as an amateur-built experimental.[2]
The Canadian Aviation Regulations allow the SeaRey to be registered either as an amateur built, basic ultralight or as an advanced ultralight aeroplane. The SeaRey 115 is only eligible as an AULA if the carbon fiber hull is used, due to category empty weight limitations.[7]
Design[edit]
The SeaRey's high wing is tapered and swept back from the leading edge with a straight trailing edge. The wing, nearly 31 ft (10 m) in span, is strut-braced and covered with aircraft fabric.[8][9]
Designed to be amphibious, the SeaRey has a semi-monocoquehull similar to that of a boat.[4] The hull, nose deck, and 'turtle' deck (the element which forms the top surface behind the canopy) are riveted together. In the basic configuration, these pieces are made of fiberglass; carbon graphite hull components are available at extra cost and reduce overall weight by about 70 pounds (32 kg). The wings feature rotocast plastic floats mounted on aluminum struts.
There is only one model of the SeaRey but different hull designs of increasing strength have developed over the years, designated as 'A,' 'B' and 'C' hulls. The latest 'C' hull is available in either carbon fiber or fiberglass.[7]
The windshield and the sliding canopies on either side are made of Lexan. The canopies are track-mounted, can be opened in flight and can also be locked closed on the ground.[10]
The SeaRey's single engine is mounted above the wing, and drives a single rear-facing pusher propeller. The SeaRey can be equipped with the 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582, 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912, 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912S or the Rotax 914 turbocharged engine which produces 115 hp (86 kW).[9] In December 2017 the design was undergoing testing with the turbocharged Rotax 915 iS 135 hp (101 kW) engine.[11]
The SeaRey's landing gear consists of two main retractable wheels and a tailwheel in conventional landing gear configuration. Originally the landing gear was retracted for water operations by means of a mechanical Johnson-bar lever that raises or lowers all three wheels simultaneously. More recent retraction options include: manual, hydraulic or electric. The electric actuator is the newest and most popular, but the manual is the lightest.[9][12]
According to the factory construction time for an experienced builder to complete a SeaRey is about 400 hours, with 600 hours typical for a first time builder.[8]
Operational history[edit]
In 2015, over the course of seven months, pilot Michael Smith flew around the world in a SeaRey, setting a record as the first person to fly a solo circumnavigation of the globe in a single engine flying boat.[13]
Variants[edit]
- SeaRey Elite
- Model powered by a 115 hp (86 kW) Rotax 914 turbocharged engine, plus redesigned instrument panel and other upgrades, sold as a Special Light-sport Aircraft in the US.[14]
Specifications (SeaRey with Rotax 912)[edit]
Data from SeaRey.aero[15][16]
General characteristics
Sea Ray Repair Manuals
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 22 ft 5 in (6.84 m)
- Wingspan: 30 ft 10 in (9.39 m)
- Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
- Wing area: 157 ft2 (14.59 m2)
- Empty weight: 820 lb (372 kg)
- Useful load: 550 lb (249 kg)
- Loaded weight: 1,370 lb (622 kg)
- Max. takeoff weight: 1,370 lb (622 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912Warp Drive Inc or Ivoprop 68 inch propeller, 80 hp (60 kW)
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 120 mph (194 km/h)
- Maximum speed: 120 mph (194 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 85 mph (138 km/h)
- Stall speed: 42 mph (68 km/h)
- Service ceiling: 12,500 ft (3,700 m)
- Rate of climb: 600 ft/min (3.05 m/s)
- Wing loading: 8.73 lb/ft2 (39.6 kg/m2)
See also[edit]
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Related lists
References[edit]
- ^ abVandermeullen, Richard: 2012 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 66 Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
- ^ abcdTacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 70. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN1368-485X
- ^'Aviation Businesses Expand In Central Florida'. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
- ^ abBayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 70. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 225. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN0-9636409-4-1
- ^Progressive Aerodyne (n.d.). 'Progressive Aerodyne'. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
- ^ abTransport Canada (May 2009). 'Listing of Models Eligible to be Registered as Advanced Ultra-Light Aeroplanes (AULA)'. Retrieved 10 July 2009.
- ^ abSportAirUSA (2006). 'Frequently Asked Questions'. Archived from the original on 16 December 2008. Retrieved 10 July 2009.
- ^ abcSportAirUSA (2006). 'Flying the SeaRey'. Archived from the original on 20 September 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2009.
- ^Progressive Aerodyne (n.d.). 'Flying the SeaRey'. Archived from the original on 6 August 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2009.
- ^Bertorelli, Paul (17 December 2017). 'Flying the New Rotax 915 Searey'. AVweb. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
- ^SportAirUSA (2006). 'Building the SeaRey'. Archived from the original on 5 May 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
- ^'Pilot solo circumnavigates globe in flying boat first'. ABC News. 13 November 2015. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
- ^Aviation Consumer magazine (January 2015). 'With a Rotax 914, the Elite has improved performance punch over the Sport model, plus an upgraded panel'. AVweb. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
- ^SportAirUSA (2006). 'SeaRey Specifications'. Archived from the original on 28 August 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2009.
- ^SportAirUSA (2006). 'SeaRey Performance'. Archived from the original on 26 January 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2009.
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Progressive Aerodyne SeaRey. |