September - October - The Recreational Aircraft Association

Clarks.
With the two of us and full fuel and an OAT of 18
degrees, we climbed at about 800 fpm, but due to the area’s
complex airspace, we limited our altitude to 1000 asl and
headed south towards Point Roberts. I’m not rated for
amphibious aircraft, and found it refreshing to gaze down
on the water with rather less apprehension than I would if
I was in my Cessna.
Beat relinquished the controls and I executed a few
gentle turns back towards White Rock. For an aircraft this
size, the controls are responsive and quite easy to handle;
lighter and more precise than my 172. Not used to the view
over the nose, I found I had to pay attention to the attitude
of the aircraft - it was easy to gain or lose a few hundred
feet, but after a few minutes I had it nailed.
Though not small for a homebuilt, the Seafire has a
sporty, capable feel to it. It’s not an RV or a Tailwind, but
I found the controls pleasant and balanced. Beat says the
handling is superior to the Lake in all respects. He demonstrated
some power changes and although there is the
inevitable negative pitch couple that occurs with all pylon
mounted engines, no unusual amount of trim was required
once an attitude was established. He pointed the trim tabs
out to me after we landed - they were in a practically neutral
position.
Beat typically cruises at 2350 rpm, getting a cruise of
120 knots indicated and a fuel burn of about 13 gph. This
would give a bladder-busting range of 6 hours with reserve
- about 800 miles.
Conclusion
The Seafire is not a simple aircraft, but for those who
Thurston Seafire
Range .......... 6 hours with reserve, 800 sm at 2350 rpm
Gross weight .......................................................... 3400 lb
empty weight ............................................................. 2300
fuel .......................... 340 litres (90 US Gal) - 170 per side
liftoff .................................................................... 60-65 kts
Climb ......................................................................... 80 kts
Cruise 123 kts @2350 rpm and 23.5 Hg Manifold Press.
max flap extension ........................................................ 87
max gear extension ...................................................... 100
Fuel consumption ..... 50 litres/hr (13gph) @ 2350 rpm
Rate of Climb ........... 790 fpm at MTOW, standard day
Approach ....................................................................80 kt
Short final ................................................................... 70 kt
touch down .......................................................... 60-65 kt
Stall ............................................................................ 60 kts
For more information, Beat can be reached at:
seafire@telus.net
26 Recreational Flyer September - October 2006
Mark Munzel