Mon, Dec 15, 2003
Another Step Toward First Flight For Unique Seaplane
The fuselage of the
prototype Warrior (Aero-Marine) Centaur has been moved to the
company's assembly hangar at Sanford Airport (ME) where the power
plant assembly (Lycoming IO-540 J2B) and other systems are being
prepared.
The company calls it "a long awaited milestone and a welcome
action."
The Centaur seaplane features several design innovations that
Warrior believes will ensure the aircraft's success.
Warrior's managing director, James Labouchere, says, "Original
concepts for Centaur arose from combining methods used in the
development and testing of racing multi hull yachts with
straightforward aircraft design principles. As a result, Centaur is
the first seaplane that really marries aviation with marine
design.
It will have folding wings and water-thrust propulsion, allowing
it to be easily maneuvered into a standard 40ft marina mooring.
This will make the aircraft much more attractive to recreational,
commercial and business users."
The company says the design isn't its biggest challenge -- it's
time. Right now, the Centaur is at what Warrior calls the "detailed
design stage." Eventually, the company hopes to produce at least
300 aircraft per year to meet market forecasts.
"No feasibility issues over any engineering task are
anticipated," according to the company's website. Warrior hopes to
achieve first flight by the middle of next year and to then
demonstrate the fundamental original advantages of the Centaur.
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