 |
 |
Eighty years ago, Claude Dornier introduced a small “flying boat,” and on Friday afternoon his grandson, Iren Dornier, revealed the Dornier Aircraft S-Ray amphibian light sport aircraft. The all-composite two-seater, which achieved first flight on July 14 in Germany, has a high wing with a forward-facing engine mounted on top. At present, the prototype is powered by a Rotax 914 engine, though the production version is likely to have a 100-hp Rotax 912. However, Dornier said his company is exploring different engines as well (the Jabiru engine was specifically mentioned). Designed as a flight trainer, the S-Ray is expected to cruise at 115 knots, go up to 500 miles without refueling and have a stall speed of only 30 knots. Interesting features of the S-Ray are its tiltable wing, which will make for easy storage of the $129,000 LSA amphib, and optional skids. According to Dornier, the company wanted to fly the prototype to AirVenture, but the FAA nixed those plans, at least for this year. He said there are orders for 20 aircraft, with first deliveries planned in “four to seven months.”
An avionics vendor has not yet been selected, but Dornier said two options would be offered: a basic layout and a full glass cockpit package. A Part 23-certified version is also in the works, with FAA approval expected next summer. Dornier told AVweb that the company also has plans for larger amphib airplanes, but no timetable has yet been set for these projects.
