From Microlights to 4-Seaters, a 'Conventional, Breakthrough Design'

It started when I passed a subframe mounted on some amphibious floats. The sign said, "Put your GlaStar on these floats." Although the frame was actually from an OMF Symphony, I slowed down to look.

Chip Erwin, redoubtable American expatriate in the Czech Republic, took me through the new design's features which, he says, result in a conventional float that "weighs less than it should." The fact that these floats have also been on Schneider Cup winners indicates they are pretty good in the drag department, too.

Chip said, "They are lighter than competitors' floats, which means we had to do a really professional stress analysis and professional manufacturing, to get them certifiable to FAR Part 23. His 125 employees, and several partner businesses, often share expertise and come up with the necessary engineering and documentation, while saving enough money to continue the innovation.

The main gear, for instance, uses 5" wheels. That's not unusual; but the massive shock mount system (pictured) is. It's enough to land a 2-place Blanik sailplane. "It's plenty strong," Chip offered, "and it's already certified. That make it expensive, but we don't have to worry about it, ever."

Down the list of components, one sees the same assurances: Parker-Hannefin pump, Edo-style pump-outs on the large, flat deck -- these items are universally-available, and time-proven.

There's a really tough rubber bumper out front, too, guarding all the "good stuff," which includes two spacious compartments ("That one's for fish; this one's for beer," Chip said).

Construction is assuringly conventional, from the hardware to the spreader bars, to the 6061 T-6 sheet, the MS rivets, zinc chromate primer, and 3M sealant. Position sensors for the gear are already built in, so you don't have to get local help engineering that solution.

A set of 2100s, like the ones we saw and photographed, cost under $20,000, including everything needed: the floats, rudders, mounting kit, spreader bar system, etc. "We can do the technical certification so much cheaper in the Czech Republic," Chip explained.

The floats are available in North America through Chip's US distributor, Danny Defelice, in Palm City (FL), at Skyshop.

FMI: www.skyshops.org