New models being developed

Published: 3/27/2000

It appears that one of Russia's smaller producers is still alive according to recent reports. The Gidroplane Company of Samara is continuing to build and sell its three-seat twin engine (Rotax) amphibians, the Che-22 Corvette and has sold 40 of the aircraft since it was first flown in 1993. The aircraft was developed from an earlier amateur aircraft and has been brought into production by a group of amateur aviation enthusiasts. The introduction of experienced aerospace engineer Evgeny Yungerov into the company helped move the aircraft from a hobby aircraft into commercial production five years ago. The aircraft can carry a payload of 150-200kg and has a top speed of 180km/hr all for the price of $38,000. According to Leonid Lozkin of Gidroplan, the reason for the aircraft's success is its simplicity, with over a hundred amateur pilots trained on the aircraft including Lozkin himself. The markets for the aircraft, outside of amateur flying, are seen as being patrolling for the forestry service, gas and oil pipelines monitoring as well as search and rescue missions. The aircraft 's ability to takeoff in under 70 metres on land and 100 metres on water, are seen as a key selling point for these types of users. The company is currently looking at developing an aircraft for Russia's large agricultural spraying market called the Tsikada. This twin seat multi purpose aircraft has a185 litre tank and is capable of cruising at 120km/hr at altitudes of up to 3000 metres according to the company. The company has developed at least one other aircraft, the four seater Che-25 amphibian, which they displayed in 1996.

Article ID: 1733