FLYING THE SEAREY

       

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 elbowroom (44 inches), even for the "big guys". There is a distance of 33.5 inches between the seat and the canopy ceiling. 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, and there is enough space on the instrument panel to accommodate most any instruments you care to install. There is enough storage space (about 13 cubic feet) behind the seat to stow your fishing gear, or a suitcase 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 200-400 feet, depending on the engine option installed. Lift off takes place at 45-52 m.p.h., and 65-70 m.p.h. is the best rate of climb speed. Rate of climb is 700-1200 feet per minute at gross weight, once again depending on the engine choice. Level out and throttle back to cruising r.p.m.'s, and the SeaRey settles in at 85 m.p.h. Top speed is 105-120 m.p.h.

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 38-42 m.p.h. 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 and squeeze the lever on the retraction handle, which releases the over center lock, and pull the lever to the aft position. Then release the lever, locking the gear in the "up" position.

Best approach speed for a water landing is 62-70 m.p.h. with 10 degrees of flaps and 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 m.p.h. This lands the aircraft "on step" and produces very smooth contact with the water.

The hull's design allows excellent slow speed water steering. Water operations with wave size of no more than twelve inches is recommended.

With 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 45-52 m.p.h. to rotate and lift off. Reduce the flaps to 10 degrees and once again climb at 65-70 m.p.h.

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.

The 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.