Glasair has added an amphibious version of the Sportsman 2+2 to its “Two Weeks to Taxi” program, which provides builders with two weeks of support at the Arlington, Wash., factory. The company is offering an introductory price of $199,000. The Sportsman is “a go-anywhere, do-anything airplane, and it’s fun to fly,” says company president Mikael Via. Two kids can ride in back, or the seats can be quickly removed and provide a roomy space for camping gear, golf clubs or fishing equipment. The amphibious version provides more options for backcountry excursions. The amphib has a useful load of 950 pounds, a cruise speed of 110 knots, and a 600-mile range.
Glasair’s two-week builder-assist program provides a step-by-step building program.Customers get access to the company’s tools and expertise to accelerate build time significantly, “without violating the spirit or intent of the 51-percent rule,” according to Glasair.Owners can choose from a variety of instruments, avionics, engines and propellers. Kitplanes editor Marc Cook built his Sportsman in the program; click here for a 2009 video report on the airplane by AVweb editorial director Paul Bertorelli.
