|
|||||||
Waterbirds to Market the Colyaer Freedom Amphibian
By Dan Johnson
In late 2006, the second
amphibian to win
SLSA approval was
Colyaer’s Freedom,
after CZAW’s
Mermaid. Since these
two, the SeaMax also
joined the party, and
at least one more is
in development. So,
flying boat fans have
some sweet choices.
Even though we have
three today, sales
have been modest for
a variety of reasons:
manufacturing is
more complex with retractable gear; marketing
to a country the size and diversity of the USA
is challenging; and cost of any LSA floatplane is
greater than its equivalent landplane (though a
fraction of the cost of a general aviation airplane
on floats).Now, welcome Waterbirds. From the
people that bring you the Sting S3, availability
will now be better as this new company struck
a deal with LSA Aero, importer of the Freedom.
Contact Larry Martin stated, “Waterbirds will
manage the sales and marketing of Colyaer’s
Freedom, while LSA Aero will continue to
import the airplane and provide after-sales
support.” Freedom, with a wingspan greater
than 40 feet, claims a glide of 20:1 an impressive
figure, especially for an amphibian. Flying boats
often weigh more -- retractable gear alone adds
pounds -- but with an allowed gross weight of
1,43 0 pounds, useful load is a respectable 576
pounds.
If you can attend Sun ‘n Fun and want to examine Freedom, “We’ll be in the Southeast exhibit area, space SE 020,” says Larry Martin of Waterbirds. This location is very near the LSA Mall where 20 SLSA are exhibited for your comparison shopping. Come see them all April 8-13 in Lakeland, Florida!
A Short Biography of Dan Johnson
DAN JOHNSON has been called “the leading reviewer of light-sport aircraft.” He has evaluated, in EAA Sport Pilot, Light A 5,000- hour Commercial, Instrument, Multi- Engine Pilot and former Certified Flight Instructor, Dan’s focus today is on Light-Sport Aircraft, ultralight aircraft, and homebuilt aircraft that Sport Pilots may fly.
Promoting aviation for more than 30 years, he is president of Dan Johnson Media Corp and the owner of the LSA Marketing Group. These two enterprises provide marketing and media services to a select group of aviation businesses and to the industry. Since its launch in April, 2004, ByDanJohnson.com has become the Internet’s largest source of pilot reports and Light-Sport Aircraft information.
Dan works closely with EAA and AOPA as those organizations provide leadership for Sport Pilot & Light-Sport Aircraft. He is Chairman of the Board of Directors for LAMA, the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association and serves as Membership Secretary on the LSA’s F.37 Executive Committee for ASTM International.
Honored by the LSA industry, Dan was given the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Writer Award (2007); LAMA’s Outstanding Individual Award (2006); ASTM’s Outstanding Leadership Award (2003); the Society of Experimental Test Pilots’ Spirit of Flight Award (2001); and USUA’s Moody Award (199).
Dan hosted and narrated the FAA & EAA video, “First Flights in Your Ultralight / Lightplane.” Two books plus two calendars have exclusively featured his flight reports and he is a regular speaker at airshows and aviation gatherings.
