Get Your 400 On Floats!

ANN APRIL 1st "SPECIAL" EDITION: Upstart aircraft supplier Heavy Water Manufacturing LLC has a new option for owners of Lancair/Columbia/Cessna 300 and 400 series aircraft, giving pilots even greater options and improved capabilities.

Representatives with Heavy Water tell ANN its new 'Speedfloater XW7' all-purpose floats provide "a wide range of new destination possibilities" for high-performance aircraft pilots.

"Imagine landing your sleek Lancair, Columbia, or Cessna composite single on a calm Florida lake," said Heavy Water CEO Gus Cousteau. "Well, now you can... with surprisingly few compromises."

Straight floats will be offered for $99,500, according to the company, with full-on amphibian models starting at $159,000.

"Admittedly, the addition of our floats lowers the top speed of a Columbia 400-spec aircraft considerably," said Heavy Water CEO Gus Cousteau. "Something to the tune of 70 knots at 16,000 feet, at 65% power... though it's worth noting, even with that penalty our option represents one of the fastest float-equipped aircraft in the business.

Heavy Water is currently seeking STC approval from the FAA, and expects the agency to sign off on that option soon. Future applications under consideration include Falcon 10 and 20-model business jets, Eclipse 500 very light jets, and TBM700 and 850 models.

"We believe there is a vast, untapped market for our floats," said Cousteau.

FMI: www.heavywaterfloatplanes.com