Photograph:
AAC Amphibian Airplanes Seastar VH-BAF³ (c/n 113031) in Tasmania (Unknown)
Country of origin:
Canada
Description:
Light amphibious sport biplane
Power Plant:
One 60 kw (80 hp) Rotax 912 four-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-and-air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 8.25 m (27 ft 10 in)
- Length: 6.47 m (21 ft 2 in)
- Height: 2.26 m (7 ft 4 in)
- Wing area: 6.5 m² (177.6 sq ft)
- Max speed at sea level: 170 km/h (106 mph)
- Cruising speed: 155 km/h (96 mph)
- Stalling speed: 56 km/h (35 mph)
- Rate of climb: 259 m/min (850 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 3,048 m (10,000 ft)
- Range: 805 km (500 miles)
- Take-off run [land]: 100 m (328 ft)
- Take-off run [water]: 150 m (492 ft)
- Endurance: 5.2 hrs
- Empty weight: 315 kg (694 lb)
- Loaded weight: 600 kg (1,323 lb)
History:
The Seastar was designed and built by AAC Amphibian Airplanes of Squamish, British Colombia, Canada as a light two-seat amphibious biplane for sporting use. The type was developed from a prototype known as the Petrel and was of composite construction, with fibreglass fuselage structure, and carbon fibre tailboom. The wings had 2014-T6 aluminium tube spar, PVC foam ribs, fibreglass tips and leading-edge, and fabric covering. A manually retractable tricycle undercarriage was fitted, and seating was for two, side-by-side, with dual controls . More than 120 kits were sold around the world and more than 100 of these have been completed and have been flying. Fuel capacity was 80 litres (17.6 Imp gals). At one stage the design was being produced in Brazil. Load factors were +4 / -2G.
Variants of the Rotax series of engines were usually installed, including the 48 kw (65 hp) Rotax 582, the 60 kw (80 hp) Rotax 912, and the 75 kw (100 hp) Rotax 912S. In Canada it was available in kit form but could also be obtained as a ready to fly aircraft. It has been registered in the Experimental Category. It featured a parachute compartment built behind the cockpit for a BRS ballistic parachute for emergencies. The wings could be dismantled for storage in a garage or on a trailer. Hydraulic brakes were fitted, and the lower wings incorporated a set of wing floats.
The first example of the type seen in this region was imported by the Australian distributor, Garmond Australia Pty Ltd, in July 2000, being completed and registered initially under AUF / RAA Rules, later becoming VH-BAF³ (c/n 113031) to its owner/builder at Bacchus Marsh, VIC on 12 July 2002, fitted with a Rotax 912 engine. It was eventually sold to Leslie Skinner of Southport in southern Tasmania and was based there for some years. It would appear not many were built and the type was further developed, becoming the SMAN Petrel and Super Petrel, a number of which have been imported and completed, most registered under RAA regulations. In late 2018 VH-BAF was cancelled from the Civil Aircraft Register.