Gordon, thank you for posting the experience and video on both types you looked at. I too have looked at Semax for the AULA category . I am hoping the AULA association in canada can nudge Transport Canada to update the AULA acceptable aircraft to include the Super S Pretrel , another amphibian hull ac, among others. The list is out of date given new developments in ac . Weight being the big issue, that too should be looked at to be increased max 1400 pounds .

Thanks Gordon for the info. I thought Searey was having a problem too. Guess we aren't getting our flying boats. I used to fly floats north of Sault Ste Marie. Miss it. Guess I will stick with the sailboat for awhile 😊

@GordonPolk

Ай бұрын

Yes, Searey ceased production in April 2024. They are looking for a buyer to take over the business. With ICON A5 going bankrupt at the same time, we can see that there is great difficulty in sustaining a market for LSA/ultralight amphibs. It's been a year since I did this video and I want to do an update but unfortunately there isn't much to report. Seamax is hanging by a thread ... it too is waiting for a new equity stake in order to get production going again. Please stay tuned!

One important set up item with Sea Max is the dedatching, and reattaching the wings so they can be folded along side the fuselage for easy storage. It would be my guess that the incident in NY could may have resulted in the wing not being attached securely or defective parts workmanship, etc. As for your current purchase Sir, it sounds like a dubious adventure. Thanks for the heads up. If time & money is not a constraint, maybe take a trip to their USA HQ to get things sorted out or get a refund ?

@GordonPolk

Жыл бұрын

Yes, there has been some concern about any potential involvement of the folding wing mechanism in the NY crash. The FAA did issue an interim Bulletin on Dec. 23/22. The FAA recommends owners and operators of Seamax M-22 light-sport airplanes which incorporate the folding wing optional assembly perform the actions of Seamax Service Bulletins SB_001_09 dated February 3, 2009 and SB_001_20 dated May 14, 2020. The FAA also recommends that owners and operators repetitively inspect the wing strut hinge points, to ensure proper installation and attachment of the nuts prior to every flight. Whether the pre-flight inspection by the pilot (or lack thereof) had any impact on the crash remains to be seen. If production of the SeaMax is being held back until the FAA issues a final report, then it would be best for all concerned to let us know that this is one of the factors impeding delivery of new aircraft. Unfortunately, there is no Seamax personnel representation at the Daytona Beach, Florida location to address any customer inquiries.

Stop talking start flying Yours truly Searey

Any update?

@GordonPolk

9 ай бұрын

I had been planning to give an update a number of months ago but unfortunately there hasn't bee too much to report. I've copied a link below that gives a summary that essentially validates what we already know. At this point, all hope is not lost. Although SeaMax has not been communicating with anyone, they still have staff. In my mind, it comes down to re-financing for the company. This issue has been ongoing since COVID and my hope is that manufacturing will start again in 2024. The pending final FAA report on the October 6/22 is another issue that I think is getting in the way even though SeaMax refuses to talk about it. I'm not overly concerned about the FAA report because I think the crash cause is addressed in the interim report. That said, manufacturing might be delayed until the final report is released. It would be nice if SeaMax had the courtesy to confirm this one way or the other. kzread.info/dash/bejne/iJumpLmQh9DehrA.html

Thanks for the info. Been considering the seamax or searey. Guess my decision will be easier. Thanks Jeff. Prusea on youtube

@GordonPolk

2 ай бұрын

Hi Jeff. It's been more than a year since I posted this video. Since that time, not much has happened with Seamax. In April, Icon A5 declared bankruptcy and Searay also

@GordonPolk

2 ай бұрын

ceased production - they are looking for a buyer to take over the business. I hope to post a new video soon talking about the market situation for LSA/ultralights in North America. Seamax isn't dead yet but the previous operation is essentially on hold ... we are waiting to see if new operators will get the business going again in the near future. Stay tuned!

buyer beware

Searey made in US…..?

@GordonPolk

3 ай бұрын

Hello Wayne. Yes, the Canadian AULA category needs to include a number of amphib aircraft including the Super S Petrel. The Petrel manufacturer seems to have weathered the fallout from COVID whereas others have not (e.g. ICON and SeaRey). There is some news coming from Seamax in a few weeks time. I had hoped to do a video update last fall but due to lack of news, I have waited almost a full year since I posted this first video. My plan is to issue the next update in early June. Seamax continues to be manufactured in Brazil - right now at a snail's pace. Pre-COVID, they had a final assembly hangar located in Florida where they assembled the wings and installed electronics/avionics. Although the Florida location was shut down more than a year ago, it sounds like it's going to be re-activated in the near future. If this happens, it means that the point of sale will now become the U.S.

switch to Vickers aircraft company

By a Searey