Progressive Aerodyne Sea Rey
A side-by-side, high wing amphibian, related to the Adventure Air Adventurer 333. It is a high wing, pusher, tail dragger configuration, and a panoramic lexan cockpit. 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, which is supported above the fuselage by a vertical pylon.
The Cabin is designed with side-by-side seating. Entry into the cabin is through a sliding canopy into the 44 in/112cm cockpit. Dual flight controls enable flying from either seat. There is storage space behind the seats (L48 x W44 x H17 in.) for baggage.
The SeaRey is the ability to fly unaffected with the individual dual sliding canopies either opened or closed. The retractable landing gear handles unimproved grass runways. The take off roll on land at gross weight is about 375 feet (115m). Lift off takes place at around 45-50 mph (40 - 45 knots), and 65-70 mph (55-60 knots) is the best rate of climb speed. Rate of climb is 1,000+ ft per min (300m+ per min) Solo and around 800 feet per minute (245m per min) at gross weight.
In cruise the SeaRey settles at 90 mph (80 knots). Top speed is 113 mph (98 knots). Due to the installation of special leading edge extensions on the wings, the stall is very docile and the aircraft is spin resistant. Upon throttling back and applying 20 degrees of flaps, the aircraft slows to the stall speed of around 40 mph (34 knots). The stall is gentle and straightforward and recovery is conventional. The retractable undercarriage comes with a simple manual system or alternatively an electric mechanism. An over center lock mechanism is a feature of this simple design.
Best approach speed for a water landing is 65 – 70 mph (55-60 knots) 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 45-50 mph (40-45 knots). This lands the aircraft "on step" and produces very smooth contact with the water.
The SeaRey is capable of handling quite rough water conditions but until such time as the pilot has developed their seaplane water experience, operations in moderate conditions with wave size under 12 inches (30cm), is recommended.
With 20 degrees of flaps for takeoff the SeaRey will come "on plane" in around 4 seconds. A further 6 to 8 seconds to get airborne. The hull produces a very flat spray pattern preventing water from going through the propeller. Accelerating to 45-50 mph (40-45 knots) to rotate and lift off. Established in the climb and at a safe height, reduce the flaps to 10 degrees.
The LSA Searay has dual controls with electric trim, and engine options include 65, 74, 80, and 115 hp Rotaxs.
The basic kit was $21,900 less engine in 2000.
By 2012, the American-made SeaRey has been out in kit form for 21 years (600 kits delivered) and was also an S-LSA. The 2012 models were the Sport and Elite S-LSAs, and the LSX kit (E-LSA or EAB). Prices: US$144,000 (Elite); US$125,000 (Sport) and US$34,900 (LSX airframe-only kit).
SeaRay
Engine: Rotax 912 (80hp)
Cruise Speed: 85 mph
Top Speed: 105 mph
Stall Speed: 40 mph
VNE: 120 mph
Rate of Climb: 650 fpm
Takeoff Land: 400 feet
Takeoff Water: 400 feet
Empty Weight: 820 lbs
Gross Weight: 1370 lbs
Useful Load: 550 lbs
Length: 22' 5"
Wheel Track: 78 inches
Height: 77 inches
Fuel Capacity: 18 US gallons (optional 26 gal)
Wing Span: 30' 10"
Endurance: 3.5 to 4 hours
Wing Area: 157 sq. feet
Cabin Width: 44 inches
Root Chord: 76 inches
Cabin Height: 38.5 inches
Tip Chord: 46 inches
Above Seat: 33.5 inches
Aspect Ratio: 6.055
Baggage Area: 13 cubic feet
Taper Ratio: 0.6
Baggage l w h: 48 x 44 x 17 in.
L.E. Sweep: 7.5 degrees
Hull Draft: 10 inches
Stab. Span: 110 inches
Flap Settings: 13, 24, 35 degrees
Engine: Rotax 912s (100hp)
Cruise Speed: 93 mph
Top Speed: 113 mph
Stall Speed: 40 mph
VNE: 120 mph
Rate of Climb: 800 fpm
Takeoff Land: 375 feet
Takeoff Water: 375 feet
Empty Weight: 830 lbs
Gross Weight: 1370 lbs
Useful Load: 540 lbs
Length: 22' 5"
Wheel Track: 78 inches
Height: 77 inches
Fuel Capacity: 18 US gallons (optional 26 gal)
Wing Span: 30' 10"
Endurance: 3.5 to 4 hours
Wing Area: 157 sq. feet
Cabin Width: 44 inches
Root Chord: 76 inches
Cabin Height: 38.5 inches
Tip Chord: 46 inches
Above Seat: 33.5 inches
Aspect Ratio: 6.055
Baggage Area: 13 cubic feet
Taper Ratio: 0.6
Baggage l w h: 48 x 44 x 17 in.
L.E. Sweep: 7.5 degrees
Hull Draft: 10 inches
Stab. Span: 110 inches
Flap Settings: 13, 24, 35 degrees
Engine: Rotax 914 (115hp)
Cruise Speed: 100 mph
Top Speed: 120 mph
Stall Speed: 42 mph
VNE: 120 mph
Rate of Climb: 900 fpm
Takeoff Land: 350 feet
Takeoff Water: 350 feet
Empty Weight: 850 lbs
Gross Weight: 1370 lbs
Useful Load: 520 lbs
Length: 22' 5"
Wheel Track: 78 inches
Height: 77 inches
Fuel Capacity: 18 US gallons (optional 26 gal)
Wing Span: 30' 10"
Endurance: 3.5 to 4 hours
Wing Area: 157 sq. feet
Cabin Width: 44 inches
Root Chord: 76 inches
Cabin Height: 38.5 inches
Tip Chord: 46 inches
Above Seat: 33.5 inches
Aspect Ratio: 6.055
Baggage Area: 13 cubic feet
Taper Ratio: 0.6
Baggage l w h: 48 x 44 x 17 in.
L.E. Sweep: 7.5 degrees
Hull Draft: 10 inches
Stab. Span: 110 inches
Flap Settings: 13, 24, 35 degrees
