Seawind Amphibian Development
First Seawind Splash-in, Dare County AP Sep. 2000
ALSO VISIT SUPER SEAWIND FLIGHT TO FABULOUS MAINE
Enjoy a quick video on Seawind Amphibian Development one of the most intriguing kitplanes ever developed…the Seawind!
Amphibious aircraft allow pilots and passengers the ability to land or take off ..virtually anywhere. However, that ability comes at a price. Thick, high lift wings, boat-like hulls and floats all contribute to generating a high amount of drag. Consequently, most amphibians are slow and sluggish.
Enter, the Seawind.
In the mid-70s, Richard Silva sought to redefine what an amphibian should look like, and developed the Seawind 2000. Powered by a 4-cylinder Lycoming 3 60 with two hundred horsepower, the Seawind looked like no other aircraft in its class.
Whereas most seaplane engines are mounted in a pusher configuration, the Seawind featured a large triangular-shaped tail fin, with the engine mounted directly on the front of the fin. This arrangement helped the keep the noise down in the cabin, as the forward facing propeller is much quieter than a pusher propeller.
Pilots
Pilots reported a complete absence of wind noise while in cruise, further adding to the luxurious experience.
Looking from the side, the tail fin makes up for almost 1/2 the length of the aircraft itself. Thanks to its composite construction, the rest of the fuselage is sleek and curvy.
The curved wingtips provided stability at slow speeds, and also double as wingtip floats. Another feature uncommon on amphibians, is the generous size of the cabin, allowing for 4 full size adults and a wide instrument panel.
With its focus on high cruise speeds, the Seawind required long runways at airports, and demanded generous space to depart lakes and rivers. Some pilots claimed that the Seawind was rock solid in cruise…but its quirky appearance brought along quirky handling. It would require a highly experienced pilot to tame the Seawind.
In 1993, Silva upgraded the Seawind with a Lycoming IO-540 and 300hp. Seawind 3000 was launched, and it was this model that sealed the Seawind’s success. 13 seawinds were sold in Canada, and 58 in the United States.