SEAPLANES OPRATIONS

Mohamed Anas

ID: 180*******

Table of Contents

OVERVIEW 3

SWOT ANALYSIS 4

Strength 4

Weakness 4

Opportunities 5

Threats 5

CONCLUSION 6

REFERENCES 7

OVERVIEW

The world cover by land and water of which 29% is land and 71% is water. Is there is water, seaplane can land any were on a water body, but the question is it safe? Fist lets what a seaplane is, A seaplane is defined as "an airplane designed to take off from and land on water." Seaplanes can be mostly classified as either flying boats or floatplanes. Those that can be operated on both land and water are called amphibians.

First, safety of the seaplane is a big issue among most of the passenger how like to experience the ride, because the aircraft land on water. Let us put seaplane operations in context. Seaplanes are an endangered species. The seaplanes which are operating now are approaching their end of operating life, because most of the planes is 35 years old now. Due to this reason the seaplanes do regular frequent maintenances and services after every round trip, for example one aircraft make 3 round trips it will service 3 times, for this frequent service the cost of maintenances is a lot more than compare to other aircraft on daily bases. To maintenances it requires highly qualified and experience engineers as the aircraft is old.

Most of the aircrafts has advance avionic navigation system GPS, radar and auto pilot. However, hardly in any of the seaplane has these advance navigation systems, but now the seaplanes operators they modify the aircraft with a GPS system, without those advance navigation systems the seaplanes operator they relay on VFR and weather condition, also seaplanes can only fly on day times. If the sea is rough and if there is high wind most the pilot won’t fly on those kinds of day, because it a big rick which any pilot won’t take. Due these reasons to operate and fly the seaplanes experience pilots are needed and their monthly wage is much higher than other aircraft pilots.

On the other hand, Seaplanes are a unique and effective way of getting from one place to another. The planes can fly lower altitude than other aircraft. More significantly, since they can take off and land on water, seaplanes have more flexibility when traveling from the mainland to small island. Many companies around Asia offer seaplane transfers from airports to major tourist spots. In addition to air taxi services, many seaplane companies offer scenic journeys. Rather than using a seaplane simply for transportation, taking a scenic tour allows you a bird’s eye view of the nearby area. You can see over the landscape and see fabulous panoramas from above. The size and volume of a seaplane make it possible to fly within range of some of the most spectacular sites in an area. You can take remarkable photos and film clips as you fly.

Many transportation options are incapable of going to remote areas. Train and cars don’t have access and regular planes cannot land without a significant runway. Seaplanes can touch down on land or water, so they have the advantage of being able to fly into much more isolated area. Not only that, but they can approach islands with rocky reefs or small land areas. which means that tourists can experience more exotic places. Moreover, explorers, law enforcers or even rescuers can access hard-to-reach areas.

SWOT ANALYSIS

Strength

Seaplanes do not need any runway for take-off and landing, if there is enough space of water it can land

An amphibious seaplane can take-off and land on both runway and water

Able to see the island more clearly than other plans as seaplane fly lower altitude then other plans

More affective in rescue operation and forest fire fighting

Point to point connection

Countries with many island and sea, the seaplanes market is in high demand as a result more tourist attraction

Weakness

Seaplanes operation is forced to relay on VFR and so make them not suitable in adverse weather condition o rough sea

Seaplanes operation need a floating base which not available in most of the countries

As most of the seaplanes are approaching the end of their life, need more frequent regular maintenance compare to other plans

Fewer seats can be accommodated not more than 15 seats, as the aircraft is small and for safety and security for the passengers

Seaplanes are to daytime VFR

an unacceptable amount of noise is produced when landing, taxiing and take-off

Opportunities

Faster services compare to ferries to travel form one island to another

Adventuring experience of transport, mostly tourist

Quick turnaround of flights

To eliminate the daytime VFR by adding advance avionic system (e.g.: advance GPS, radar. Etc.)

Manufacture lager seaplanes with more seats available and will be less affected by rough sea or bad weather

Threats

General perception by passenger’s lack of safety about seaplanes may impact on the market of seaplanes

Fly time restriction, cause not suitable for travel long distance destination and may impact the market of seaplanes

People fear flying

Price of ticket is to expensive compare to wheel base planes to same destination

Cost of fuel burn is high

Need highly trained pilots the seaplanes operate all Manuel

Seaplanes today are endangered species, as the manufacture of seaplanes has and most of the operating seaplanes are approaching the end of their operating life

CONCLUSION

This report is about problems and motivation of seaplane operation, and the SWOT analysis of seaplane operation. In this report I have highlighted the weakness of the operation and strength of the operation, for instant seaplanes are often exposed to salt water, which can corrode the aircraft's metal. This is one of the main problems face in this operation. Due to this the maintenances of the aircraft are highly expensive and need highly skilled experiences engineers. However, seaplanes operation a unique and effective way of transportation to isolated remote area where any other transportation is incapable, for example in Asia there are many small inhabited islands with sandy beaches, where the tourist is attracted, and the seaplane is the only way to reach the destination. One on the best example is, world biggest seaplane operation is a county in Indian ocean with small tiny tropical island called Maldives. The seaplane operation company is called Trans Maldivian Air (TMA). TMA has the biggest fleet of seaplane with 60 seaplane aircraft, the movement of aircraft per in a daily based operation is 300 and above. Which mean per day 300 time the aircraft take of and land. To sum up I hope the report gives a very good idea about seaplane operation.

REFERENCES

http://avstop.com/stories/part1seaplane.htm

avstop.com/ac/flighttrainghandbook/characteristicsofseaplanes.html

http://avstop.com/stories/part2seaplane.htm

http://www.seaplaneassociation.org.uk/advocacy/doc3.htm

http://avstop.com/stories/part3seaplane.htm

https://www.mro-network.com/maintenance-repair-overhaul/6-unique-maintenance-problems-seaplanes/gallery?slide=1

https://karenoakes64.wordpress.com/2017/08/11/seaplane-business/

https://www.vikingair.com/twin-otter-information/twin-otter-answers/whats-difference-between-floatplane-and-seaplane

https://seaplanemagazine.com/2017/07/28/just-exactly-seaplane/

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