Seaplane Facts

On 18 December 1990, Pilot Tom Casey completed the first round-the-world flight with only water landings using a Cessna 206 seaplane named Liberty.

The Seaplane Pilots Association(SPA) has been the voice for protecting and promoting water flying since 1972. In addition to supporting seaplane pilots, SPA publishes the Water Flying magazine, the only magazine dedicated to covering the seaplane community. Find out more: https://seaplanepilotsassociation.org/

The fastest jet-propelled seaplane is the Convair F2Y Sea Dart, with a top speed of 1,328 kilometre per hour!

During the1930s, the Chao Phraya river was used as a water aerodrome for commercial flights since Bangkok as Don Mueang airport was mostly for military use. That part of the river was wide enough, with a 2 km long runway and no heavy water traffic. Still today, it is called 'Sanambinnarm' sub-district, which means 'water aerodrome'.

While the Cessna Caravan EX might look small in photos, it's not that small of an aircraft. The wingspan measures almost 16 meters, while the aircraft height is 5.3 meters and the length is 12.67 meters

All floats are required to have a minimum of four watertight compartments. These prevent the entire float from filling with water if it is ruptured at any point. The floats can support the seaplane with any two compartments flooded, which makes the seaplane difficult to sink.

Both seaplanes and helicopters may take you to the resort without your feet getting wet. However, for those who love water activities, most seaplanes can carry more cargo or your water sport equipment like scuba gear or surfboards.

In 1919, the Curtiss NC-4 became the first flying boat to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.

In many places around the world, seaplanes are considered tourist attractions themselves. Many passengers take scenic tours to experience the beauty of the sky and landscape below them.

There is minimum surface noise pollution, thanks to the highly efficient turbine powered aircraft producing 30% less noise than conventional large transport aircraft. Seaplanes only require a short distance for take-off and landing.

Cessna is part of Textron, the world’s leading aircraft manufacturer, exceeding 100 million flight hours across their aircraft models.

Aircraft equipped with turboprop engines are mostly efficient at a medium altitude and commonly used for short to medium distance flights.