In Germany, it held its first flight tests of the new generation of amphibious aircraft Seastar CD2. The plane is created by the German company Dornier Seawings based on the basic model, developed back in the 80's of last century. Reported Flightglobal.
Tests of a new aircraft with a tandem engine arrangement took place 28 March this year. Aircraft, taking off from Oberpfaffenhofen airport (Germany), spent in the air 31 minute. According to the developers, tests deemed successful.
The twin-engine multipurpose turboprop amphibious aircraft Dornier Seastar was developed in the 80s of the last century under the leadership of Claude Dornier, Jr. (son of a famous German aircraft designer). anticipated, that this aircraft will be able to revive the former glory of Dornier flying boats, however, due to the bankruptcy of the company, it was not possible to launch it into mass production. In total, two aircraft were assembled.
The design of the Dornier Seastar largely followed the traditional Dornier flying boats of the 1920s and 1940s., with wide fuselage floats-sponsons and overwing arrangement of a combination of engines with pulling and pushing propellers.
The aircraft is long 12,7 meters and wingspan 17,7 m, maximum takeoff weight – 5,1 tons. The Dornier Seastar CD2 is partly different from its predecessors from the 80s. Composite materials are widely used on aircraft, new onboard systems and “glass” cockpit with Honeywell Primus Epic avionics suite 2.0, fully digital equipment, etc..
Crew of one or two people, capacity up to 12 passengers. Two Pratt turboprop engines installed & Whitney Canada PT6A-135A-478A takeoff power 650 HP. with 4-blade McCauley propellers 4HFR34C760/95DA, chassis retractable Sumitomo. A jet propulsion unit is installed in the tail section.
Claimed cruising speed – 333 kmh, maximum range – 1670 km. In economy mode, with one engine off, it can patrol over the sea for up to 11 hours.
