Aircraft Certified In 1991 Finally In Production

By: Chris Batcheller

Looking at the giant seaplane on the grounds of Oshkosh Airventure 2009, you would never know that this airplane is full of history. The airplane sits among the displays with the massive wings towering above your head. The two inline engines are perched in a nacelle on top of the high wing.  Struts attach the nacelle to the fuselage like they were strapped on.  It’s basic design dates back to the Dornier Superwal Flying Boat in 1926. The Dornier Seaplane Company is no stranger to the seaplane business, having  has built over 1000 amphibian aircraft since the early 1900’s. 

The airplane was developed in the 1980’s when famed aviation pioneer Clyde Dornier was still alive, and this all composite airplane was certified in 1991. After lying dormant for 18 years, owner Coronado Dornier and  the Dornier Seaplane Company have brought it back to market. 

Inside, the airplane is as big as a Beechcraft King Air 350 and it can be configured in seating arrangements from 2 to 12 passengers.  It is a full 20 knots faster than the Caravan on floats and 1/3 larger than the aircraft manufactured by Cessna.  The airplane can takeoff and land in 3 foot seas.

The Dornier Seaplane is expected to serve three distinct markets.  The first is the high net worth individual.  This seaplane is expected to appeal to this market because it is a multi-engine aircraft with turbine reliability, composite, comfortable and fast. 

The airplane is also expected to work well for the commercial airline market in coastal areas. The airplane can be configured in up to a 12 passenger configuration.  The composite construction is expected to cut down maintenance for operators that currently use metal airplanes. 

Foreign Governments have also expressed an interest in this aircraft.  Many countries have extensive coastlines to protect and this aircraft can cover a long distance or loiter depending on mission requirements.

Dornier Chief Executive Joe Walker

Currently the company is completing a site selection process. They have narrowed potential manufacturing sites to two locations somewhere in North America, and expect to announce the final site selection sometime in the next 3-6 months.  The company employs 20-25 people including a German Engineering Staff. They hope to sell 50 airplanes a year, and ramp up their staff to about 250 people.  The company also expects that producing the aircraft will create over 75 jobs for the engine maker, Pratt and Whitney.

The airplane is expected to sell for 6 Million, fully equipped including modern glass panel avionics. 

FMI: www.dornierseaplane.com