The Freedom amphibian, built by Spanish manufacturer Colyaer, was approved last week as a Special Light Sport Aircraft. The airplane, which is built of carbon fiber, Kevlar, Nomex and epoxy, won recognition earlier this year at Sun ‘n Fun, where it was named best composite seaplane. It also won a takeoff award, averaging six to eight seconds to skip into the air. Its three-bladed pusher prop is powered by a 100-hp Rotax 912, and its 40-foot wingspan brings a reported 20:1 glide ratio. It’s been tested in seas as high as one foot, and the retractable landing gear is designed to tolerate unimproved fields. The FAA’s rule against reconfiguring the landing gear in flight remains in force. The U.S. distributor, LSA Aero, of Decatur, Ala., says it has filed petitions with the FAA for an exemption to that rule. For now, a sport pilot can’t reconfigure the airplane’s gear in flight, but a private pilot (or higher certificate) with a complex endorsement can. Colyaer also builds a Martin3 landplane and Gannet seaplane, which are in the process of LSA certification. The airplanes have been flying in Europe for about eight years.
Freedom Amphibian LSA Certified
Key Takeaways:
- The Spanish-built Colyaer Freedom amphibian has gained Special Light Sport Aircraft (S-LSA) approval, recognized for its advanced composite construction, rapid 6-8 second takeoff, and 20:1 glide ratio powered by a 100-hp Rotax 912.
- It features retractable landing gear designed for unimproved fields, but sport pilots are currently restricted from reconfiguring it in flight by an FAA rule, for which the U.S. distributor is seeking an exemption.
- Manufactured by Colyaer, which also has Martin3 landplanes and Gannet seaplanes in LSA certification, these aircraft have been operating in Europe for approximately eight years.
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