Another Step Toward First Flight For Unique Seaplane

The fuselage of the prototype Warrior (Aero-Marine) Centaur has been moved to the company's assembly hangar at Sanford Airport (ME) where the power plant assembly (Lycoming IO-540 J2B) and other systems are being prepared. 

The company calls it "a long awaited milestone and a welcome action." 

The Centaur seaplane features several design innovations that Warrior believes will ensure the aircraft's success.

Warrior's managing director, James Labouchere, says, "Original concepts for Centaur arose from combining methods used in the development and testing of racing multi hull yachts with straightforward aircraft design principles. As a result, Centaur is the first seaplane that really marries aviation with marine design.

It will have folding wings and water-thrust propulsion, allowing it to be easily maneuvered into a standard 40ft marina mooring. This will make the aircraft much more attractive to recreational, commercial and business users."

The company says the design isn't its biggest challenge -- it's time. Right now, the Centaur is at what Warrior calls the "detailed design stage." Eventually, the company hopes to produce at least 300 aircraft per year to meet market forecasts.

"No feasibility issues over any engineering task are anticipated," according to the company's website. Warrior hopes to achieve first flight by the middle of next year and to then demonstrate the fundamental original advantages of the Centaur.

FMI: www.centaurseaplane.com