Aircam on Amphibious Floats KGOO

[wegert]

It was a single place Drifter on floats, pulled up on the beach in Clearwater, that initially got me into aviation 25 years ago. I've wanted a two place ever since... Thanks for posting

[louispeek]

Glen Curtis from Hammondsport, N.Y. invented the design of those pontoons when he was developing seaplanes. The dessign of the rear portion of the floats allows for suction to be released that would otherwise hold the aircraft to the water during takeoff.

[pittssc]

I flew one at the factory in Sebring Florida with standard landing gear. Lots of fun. Easy to fly. The thrust from two engines is a blast. You can fly super slow at 35% power to full power and banking at 90° with ease. It's a rudder airplane though.

[jasonbabila]

That’s an unusual and interesting float plane, I’ve never seen anything like it.

[arthenry]

THAT is really neat!! Pretty good flying too. Thanks Juan..

[MountainMariner]

My new remote Alaskan neighbor has one of those. Full canopy though. Small lake surrounded by hills and he’s in and out no problem.

[johnschreiber]

For the unfamiliar, the AirCam was designed as a camera platform for filming at treetop level in the Amazon rainforest. We see them often in FL. Sebring is the company base. Tecnam is there as well. Sun and Fun should move there.

[aircampilot]

the front seat is like a magic carpet ride
low and slow doesn't get any better

[JeffinTD]

Those are so cool. What a mellow approach and landing.

[mikemcguire]

Admirable cockpit ventilation--evil thoughts blown clean away!

[calarndt]

Sweet landing! Guy had the grease truck out before landing! Nice job!

[philipo]

As a seaplane pilot this is fantastic- a tandem motorcycle with wings and floats.

[robertsandberg]

I remember REALLY falling in love with the "AirCam" in the "Kitplanes" magazines when I was a teenager. I also remember seeing one flying over my house just about a week before 9/11...😓

I understand that the visibility is phenomenal in that plane!

[realvanman]

What a fun looking contraption! Sweet!!

[fToo]

Kudos to the person on the Monowheel photographing the amphibious pusher plane !

[qrvqmx]

That is one very sweet looking aircraft !!

[williamlloyd]

Plane reminds me of those illustrated in Miyazaki’s fantasy animation film Porco Rosso (1992)!

[stanb.]

Ten or twelve years ago a Colorado couple and an older guy had one in Roatan selling sightseeing flights over the island. They would take two scuba divers with gear down to a nearby uninhabited island. A mission probably way in excess of what the airplane was designed for and certainly not legal anywhere with competent aviation authorities.
The end came on a sightseeing flight with a young couple and their infant. As I recall the airplane did a water landing, flipped and everyone got out except the infant who was trapped inside. The older guy was flying and dove under the airplane and found the infant inside and brought the kid out and did survive. The story made national news.

[rumbear]

Met some folks in Wichita building one when I picked up the Kitfox. Surprised at how big an aircraft it is!

[deantait]

Oh my. I was on an old Otter in the late 80’s literally a Bush pilot that took us from a Corp fishing lodge in Canada just north of International Falls. Our group that included Rick Mears went on the second day so we had to bring back the outboard engines and gas tanks.
Two of the seats were literally lawn chairs attached with you bolts. The plane reeked of gasoline and the pilot is smoking a camel cigarette. Indy car driver Rick Mears rode in the co-pilots seat. We were just a bit heavy and I’m watching as the end of the lake was getting far too close and no way we’re gonna clear those tall trees. But at the last second the pilot pulled up the left Pontoon and made a hard right climbing turn. After we landed back at the lodge I asked Rick what it looked like from upfront. He had to admit he didn’t think we were gonna make it. Quite an experience