What happens when 550 horses pull you up? Answer: You get an enormous kick in acceleration and climb rate.
what’s NOT to like about my Seawind? A Seawind with that much power reminds me of a 4-year-old gelding I nicknamed “Thunderbolt”. He was more fun to ride than my swift motorcycle. This Appaloosa breathed and snorted like a pressure cooker just before it exploded. Every time I tried to mount; he would spin clockwise dragging my left foot in the stirrup. Grabbing the saddle horn, I hung on for a thrilling merry-go-round experience. I eventually managed to swing my right leg over. But, before I got my second foot in the stirrup, he was already in a gallop with speed ever-increasing. The bit in his mouth signaling “slow down”- at least at this stage, had truly little effect. With mud jetting up beneath his steel shoes and steam spewing from his widening nostrils, he seemed right at home.
What’s NOT To Like About My Seawind? Flying my Seawind feels like my horse-riding experience sometimes. The difference is that unlike Thunderbolt, the signals controlling power are always very responsive, and getting to a seating position is a synch. Can you imagine reaching class A airspace in only ten minutes? With a 2500 FPM climb rate, I bust through cloud layers. Once again sometimes it feels like I am riding Thunderbolt on that long-ago day we left a kilometer behind in less than a minute except in my Seawind my hair stays safely under my hat. Now, that’s performance!
Six reasons to like my Seawind amphibian:
- Speed: It cruises easily at 148 IAS and 178 TAS (205 MPH)
- Passengers: Up to 3, however, the rear seat is usually folded down for cargo.
- Cargo: With over 1,200 pounds of useful load, I can take 690 pounds of fuel to fill the 4 tanks and still have a 500-pound capacity for people and cargo.
- No leaded fuel: Jet A also means cheaper fuel. I can fly for 20-50% less than Avgas rates.
- Long-range including a reserve in nautical air miles is 700 standard and 1,000 with a long-range tank.
- For fun, just add water. It is so much fun to land and take-off in my Seawind on water. No landing fees apply!
What’s NOT to like about my Seawind?
Same as everyone else; hangar fees and insurance! Both keep climbing. When the day arrives when they climb as faster as my Seawind, that’s a day when I walk away. Something has got to give in this arena or general aviation will have its own national cemetery.
Future Plans for Super Seawind N71RJ:
Rather than talk about the Seawind adventures I have had, today I will talk about what I plan this year. First, I’ll work hard to complete N71RJ’s annual A-Z inspection. That puts me into April. Second, I’ll continue flight training in other airplanes and on a simulator. Third, I’ll fly N71RJ to EAA and other events for fun and further training. Fourth, I will fly to Air-venture 2021. Fifth, I’ll spend a week on Maine lakes. Sixth, I’ll fly to the Greenville Maine Splash on 9-12 September. Last, I hope to fly it to a new owner who can land his or her own dream of 549 horses plus one memorable Thunderbolt-like ride – any day he or she wants it – and that is fine with me.
Learn about Seawind development and history here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otwRWQZwtlY
Trivia question of the week:
When did the first PT6-powered Seawind fly? Which airport? Who flew it?
Answer this in the comments section.