After almost 10 years in the aircraft float business, the maker of Full-Lotus floats recently decided to focus on production of its non-aviation products. All the design rights, inventory and production tooling for the Full-Lotus float line have now been sold to Aircraft Floats Manufacturing, Inc. Aircraft Floats Manufacturing, Inc. (AFM) will continue producing the […]
seaplanes
Flying someplace different(ly)
A seaplane trip to Bimini? I took the bait and learned a lot, had a good time and spent more than I should. But getting away to an island is the perfect case for general aviation. And Bimini is closer to the Florida coast than any Bahamas island. I got the chance to ride along […]
Season opener Splash-In slated
The Washington Seaplane Pilots Association will hold it season opener Splash-In May 19 at Lake Whatcom. Officials note this is a special occasion, long in the planning process, as a network of organizations have been putting together a plan where seaplanes could become an important part of the area’s emergency response resources. “Learn how the […]
Sun ’n Fun Splash-In at Fantasy of Flight Thursday
Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida, will once again play host the annual Sun ’n Fun Splash-In, a one-day event specifically designed to celebrate seaplanes and other amphibious aircraft. Throughout the day on Thursday, March 29, dozens of seaplane pilots will use Fantasy of Flight’s sparkling Lake Agnes as their chosen landing strip. “Splash […]
A will to succeed
By J. DOUGLAS HINTON Though all of us have heard stories about individuals overcoming physical impairments on the road to success, perhaps this tale is unique. Ben Schipps, from Venice, Florida, was born with only a third of a left arm and two hands that are catastrophically deformed. But he had a dream to become […]
Sun ’n Fun to feature Splash-In again this year
The Sun ’n Fun Splash-In will once again be held at Fantasy of Flight on Lake Agnes in Polk City, Florida. The Splash-In, an event dedicated to seaplanes and float flying, is held every year as part of the fly-in. A few years ago, Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks invited the seaplanes to his […]
Like LSA seaplanes?
Life is good if you like LSA seaplanes. Here’s a quick look at five that are either on the market or in development. Today SeaRey reigns as far and away the most successful and proven design, with nearly 600 flying. While SeaRey (pictured below) has been an Experimental Amateur Built (EAB) model, the company, Progressive […]




