The Flying Boats Are Coming, The Flying Boats Are Coming!!

[Floatsflyer]

Icon, your competition is about to fly up your butt so you better light a fire under the FAA to give you that twice delayed "decision". There's a virtual tidal wave of new and nearly new S-LSA amphibian flying boats about to make a splash coming on market this year and it looks like some could take away your share of it.

For a niche market within a niche category, there must be a whole lotta designers and developers out there who believe as I do: That water flying is the most fun you can have with your clothes on. These new choices are:

Triton/Mermaid-- Seems the 6 year legal battles are finally over and this long awaited certified design is finally ready for delivery. It's now manufactured in China but under the control and management of the original US designer.
Seamax-- This Brazilian has been around for a couple of years but no marketing or proper distribution was in place. It now has new US representation with apparent resources behind it.
Searey-- This beloved Kit just passed the tough certification audit and the factory built fly away version is coming on production stream now.
Freedom--Another certified model that came and went very quickly a few years ago because of very poor distribution. New representation is in place now for another kick at the can.
Akoya--Although recently back from the financial graveyard with a $20 million Chinese ownership stake, I'm negatively biased towards them because $400K LSA's are just wrong and should not be tolerated.

In the E-LSA category is the Super Petral LS. In the planning and development stages is the electric powered Equator Excursion and the FlyWhale(both from Europe). In secret development it is written that 3 US S-LSA types are coming on board soon and apparently it's all very hush hush according to reports.

But the one that I like most and could be a real serious contender and competitor for Icon is the Dornier S-Ray 007, a 2 seater tractor from that historic company. It is being developed by the grandson of founder, aviation pioneer and legend, Claude Dornier. It's a modern, carbon and composite replica based on the 1921 Dornier Libelle. According to reports it is going for the full monte-Part 21 Certification in progress, S-LSA expected afterwards and a Kit version under development.

http://www.do-sray.de/index.php?home

Whoopee, let's all get wet!!!