19 February 2007
The Equator is a new ‘aircraft system’ from Germany, which will, once operation, be able to provide customers with an amphibian capable of carrying anything from four to 12 passengers, depending on the size of ‘module’ that you buy.
There are a number of configurations from a (landplane) fixed gear piston single up to a pressurised turboprop twin amphibian with centreline thrust.
All the aircraft are made of composite materials, with engines (whether one or two) mounted above the fuselage on a substantial pylon.
The aircraft are made of fibre composites, in a mid-wing configuration which allows the best safety on the water, and lets the aircraft ‘ride and dance’ on the high waves with and through the wind’. The ‘float-wing’ acts ‘as large sponson, gangplank and surfboard’.
As there’s such a range aircraft sizes available, pinning down specifications is difficult. However, the company quotes the powerplant as ‘piston engine up to 475 hp avgas or diesel; turboprop up to 1350 shp’; speed ‘up to 340 kt’; service ceiling ‘up to 36,000 ft’. The ‘price per seat’ is the same as comparable classic-style aircraft, while the price per flying hour is much less.
