BeechTalk - BT - Russian Seaplane: seeking Russian Speaker

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Feb 2019, 20:12

If you read the bios of Seabear and Samara, they both seem to have spun off from Aero-Volga.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Feb 2019, 20:15

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1440& ... dwK3kKmTLM:

It's tough, looks fixable.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 25 Feb 2019, 00:20

Michael - Please keep us in the loop about these planes - very cool if there’s a way to get them imported. It would be great to be able to operate in salt water! Btw - any progress on the Widgeon? We got ours flying last fall - looking forward to using it this summer.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 25 Feb 2019, 09:34

Username Protected wrote:

Michael - Please keep us in the loop about these planes - very cool if there’s a way to get them imported. It would be great to be able to operate in salt water! Btw - any progress on the Widgeon? We got ours flying last fall - looking forward to using it this summer.

The IO-470 Widgeon is getting real close to going to the paint shop. Fabricating cowlings from more or less scratch has been the biggest issue but the interior is finished (not installed), landing gear overhauled (it was fun custom cutting unavailable brake pads) the Garmin glass panel is almost done and ready to go in. I would say 3-4 months and it will be at the paint shop and probably 7-8 months and it will be finished. The goal is to win OSH 2020; it's basically a brand new Widgeon. I sold the GO-480 Widgeon to my neighbor with the caveat I could fly it until mine is finished. It occupies 50% of his free time maintaining it (it basically had no MX in 30 years) so lots of catch up.

A 915 powered 4 seat composite modern seaplane could replace a Widgeon for me. I don't think any of us are going to be operating 1940s seaplanes in 20 years so that's why these Russian designs are interesting to me.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 26 Feb 2019, 16:48

Personal favorite... the Seashark! :clap:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Aug 2025, 13:34

Username Protected wrote:

http://www.seabearaircraft.com/contact-us/

Is there anyone you speaks Russian that can call these guys and figure out how much they want for a flying Rotax 915 powered version with Garmin G3X touches OR an airframe with no engine or avionics? They don't respond to emails.

I have reached out many times---emails and international mail in regards to an L72

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Aug 2025, 14:30

Username Protected wrote:

Personal favorite... the Seashark! :clap:

That's awesome.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Aug 2025, 16:25

the one in their photos is wearing an Australian registration and seems to be flying often. Why don't you reach out to that owner ?

https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/VHOMS/history

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Aug 2025, 22:28

Username Protected wrote:

the one in their photos is wearing an Australian registration and seems to be flying often. Why don't you reach out to that owner ?

https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/VHOMS/history

That's Michael Smith's. I'm happy to make an introduction if interested.

Given the current situation with Russia, not sure how easy it would be to get anything out of there, or if they can even produce anything.