Seaplane designer sets rapid development timescale

Designers of a new type of seaplane, currently in detailed design, have set themselves an ambitious target of moving from 'drawing board' to first test-flights in the first quarter of 2003.

Designers of a new type of seaplane, currently in detailed design, have set themselves an ambitious target of moving from 'drawing board' to first test-flights in the first quarter of 2003, using concurrent engineering processes and Catia Solutions Version 5 CAD/CAM software from technology consultancy Incat.

The aircraft, named Centaur, is being built by Salisbury, UK-based Warrior (Aero Marine) in conjunction with both Maine Composites of Maine, USA and UK aero-design specialist Chichester-Miles Consultants (CMC), designers of the 800km/h Leopard jet, known as the ultimate "Ferrari" of light aviation.

The Centaur features several design innovations that Warrior believes will ensure the aircraft's success.

Managing director of Warrior, James Labouchere explains: "Original concepts for Centaur arose from combining methods used in the development and testing of racing multihull yachts with straightforward aircraft design principles.

As a result, Centaur is the first seaplane that really marries aviation with marine design.

It will have folding wings and water-thrust propulsion, allowing it to be easily manoeuvred into a standard 40ft marina mooring.

This will make the aircraft much more attractive to recreational, commercial and business users", he says.

However, it is the programme's ambitious timescale, rather than the aircraft's design innovations, that presents the greatest engineering challenge.

Currently at detailed design stage, the new aircraft's team is using Catia Version 5, the world's leading business process automation solution for product creation and product development, and Incat expertise to meet this challenge.

Incat worked both remotely and on site with Warrior's design team in CMC.

This has allowed tooling manufacture at Maine Composites to begin in parallel with other design aspects of the programme.

Incat has also provided rapid Catia training and education too.

Warrior (Aero Marine) has received around one thousand purchase enquires and has already taken its first orders for the Centaur.

The company is aiming to produce at least 300 aircraft per year to meet market forecasts.

Back to top