Best float/amp for sight seeing/charter (single engine)

[tractor747]

From all the pros out there, what would be an economical and low cost float/amphibian to do sight seeing and charter work using a single engine airplane.

cessna
husky
piper cub
etc.
?

thanks

[Idriveplane]

How much weight to you want to be able to carry? That being said, the Found Bushawk has great visibily with the large windows and carry's a 206 load.

[182-SS]

Well obviously you’re not looking to have a bunch of weight or people with the cub on your list. But then you mention Amphib, And as you said economical and low cost….. Amphibs don’t typically go with low cost.

For economy, ease of maintenance/ finding parts, relatively low cost of purchase and ownership.
Cessna 180

Amphib your looking for? I’d be looking for more HP.

[Cat Driver]

We used to do sightseeing flights in a PBY, it carried enough people for the price to be affordable 85 Euro per person for a thirty minute flight airport to water touch and go and back to airport.

We were always full so it actually paid off.

[tractor747]

We used to do sightseeing flights in a PBY, it carried enough people for the price to be affordable 85 Euro per person for a thirty minute flight airport to water touch and go and back to airport.

We were always full so it actually paid off.

Pardon but what is a PBY?

[Cat Driver]

It is a twin engine flying boat.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PBY_Catalina

[Beefitarian]

I would think having space for more customers to spread the cost out might be better long term.

[DareDevil]

find some water and go str8 floats....or just wheels..forget the amphib. You'll profit will be much better!

[tractor747]

find some water and go str8 floats....or just wheels..forget the amphib. You'll profit will be much better!

Why is the amphibian not popular? Safety on landing with the gear down on water?

[North Shore]

^ Yes, and the possibility of doing a gear up on land (I'd wager that is probably more common than the dreaded gear down on the water). Maintenance costs are greater, and insurance will take a bigger bite also. You'll also lose payload due to the weight of the amphib mechanism.

[tractor747]

^ Yes, and the possibility of doing a gear up on land (I'd wager that is probably more common than the dreaded gear down on the water). Maintenance costs are greater, and insurance will take a bigger bite also. You'll also lose payload due to the weight of the amphib mechanism.

So what happens when you want to do maintenance on it?

[182-SS]

^ Yes, and the possibility of doing a gear up on land (I'd wager that is probably more common than the dreaded gear down on the water). Maintenance costs are greater, and insurance will take a bigger bite also. You'll also lose payload due to the weight of the amphib mechanism.

So what happens when you want to do maintenance on it?

same as anything else...you pay$$$

[182-SS]

find some water and go str8 floats....or just wheels..forget the amphib. You'll profit will be much better!

Why is the amphibian not popular? Safety on landing with the gear down on water?

And just to add to what North Shore said, as he got everything else. Performance. Most amphib floats are not comparable to straight floats in terms of performance. Only the Aerocet 3400’s are damn near as good as its straight float brothers, but you still lose with the extra weight.

I would only get amphibs if finding fuel or moorage is an issue.

[tractor747]

find some water and go str8 floats....or just wheels..forget the amphib. You'll profit will be much better!

I understand your point, but what if you don't have an option on running straight floats which single engine amphib works best for charter/sightseeing the 180 the 182 which they say has a wider cabin , the 185, husky, aviat, etc.

thanks

[bmc]

If the market is big enough, cost out running an older Caravan. Given the number of seats and ability to offer it for other charter work, it might work. It's costly, but crunch the numbers. You will quickly see the utilization you need to make it work. Your seat cost may be cheaper than carrying three passengers a trip, provided there is enough passenger demand.

[tractor747]

If the market is big enough, cost out running an older Caravan. Given the number of seats and ability to offer it for other charter work, it might work. It's costly, but crunch the numbers. You will quickly see the utilization you need to make it work. Your seat cost may be cheaper than carrying three passengers a trip, provided there is enough passenger demand.

Thanks for the great info, can anyone else add more regarding a caravan and where do I begin to put together these numbers? Not experienced on caravans. Thanks

[bmc]

1. Look for used Caravans on amphibs to get an idea of pricing. www.controller.com is good place to start.
2. See if any are willing to lease and ask how much per month. John Hopkinson in Alberta is a good source to help you price it out. I think he has a listing for one at the moment.
3. There are a few van drivers on Avcanada. Ask about the airplane, fuel burn, performance, etc.

It's a costly airplane, so you're going to want to keep the utilization up. You need demand to make that happen. Often, the wisest move is to start small and cheap to build the business and then grow the capacity.

[tractor747]

1. Look for used Caravans on amphibs to get an idea of pricing. http://www.controller.com is good place to start.
2. See if any are willing to lease and ask how much per month. John Hopkinson in Alberta is a good source to help you price it out. I think he has a listing for one at the moment.
3. There are a few van drivers on Avcanada. Ask about the airplane, fuel burn, performance, etc.

It's a costly airplane, so you're going to want to keep the utilization up. You need demand to make that happen. Often, the wisest move is to start small and cheap to build the business and then grow the capacity.

You are right, small and cheap like a 185/206? Establish yourself then expand.

[black hole]

Check out the #'s on the Hawk XP.

BH

[rigpiggy]

First off do you have an AOC, if not start this in the fall, it normally takes about 6 months to get all yer paperwork in order. Second roughly where are you different things needed depending on DA, Water availability, Paperwork/certification etc....
Third what kind of time do you have on floats, Insurance won't give you hull unless you have 200 on floats at least in Canada.

How do you make a million in the airplane business, start with 2

[bmc]

Third what kind of time do you have on floats, Insurance won't give you hull unless you have 200 on floats at least in Canada.

He could always take the 50 hour bush pilots course.

[GUMPS]

Sorry, but I'm going to be the negative nancy here. You recently posted asking about the 50 hour bush course. This makes me wonder, how much float time do you really have? If you did manage to get an OC up and running, you're insurance will likely put a stop to your dreams. If you want to be the only doing the flying and not hiring another pilot, better look into the requirements to qualify as Chief Pilot too.

Best airplane for this kindof work? One thats already on an existing and established OC.

[tractor747]

1. Look for used Caravans on amphibs to get an idea of pricing. http://www.controller.com is good place to start.
2. See if any are willing to lease and ask how much per month. John Hopkinson in Alberta is a good source to help you price it out. I think he has a listing for one at the moment.
3. There are a few van drivers on Avcanada. Ask about the airplane, fuel burn, performance, etc.

It's a costly airplane, so you're going to want to keep the utilization up. You need demand to make that happen. Often, the wisest move is to start small and cheap to build the business and then grow the capacity.

bmc thanks for the great info, appreciated.

What if you have a great opportunity to work with a regional carrier to feed them passengers and vice versa, would you use the caravan then? 5 short runs a day as an example, but with the amphibian caravan you can utilize only the 10 passenger and not the 14 correct?

[DareDevil]

Tractor, if you have an opportunity to work with a regional carrier, ie Porter, Jazz,etc.....then ensure your contracts are in the right place, make sure you are GUARANTEED the hours lastly make sure you have the right aircraft. I doubt a caravan amphib would suit the bill for a regionals needs since with the amphib van your limited to 9 pax with a single pilot and you can forget about the bags...another question, what will you do with the amphib in the winter? its something important to think about.....

IMHO, if you have an opportunity to meet the needs of a regional...look at aircraft that are already working supporting these types of operations....1900's, dornier's, etc...the right tool for the right job