Ultracub On Floats Can Be Built In Amphip And Floats-Only Configurations

James Wiebe flew the Belite Sealite amphibious ultralight off the water for the first time last week. Even with difficult conditions for a seaplane --  light winds, 90+ temps, 3800 ft density altitude, Wiebe says it performed really well. The Sealite took around 20 seconds (maybe a little less) to get airborne off the water.  Of course, land takeoff times are significantly faster.

The Belite Sealite is powered with a F23 Hirth 50HP powerplant, coupled with a solid carbon fiber three blade propeller. Wiebe said the plane was solid on the water, in light chop and in smooth water, and broke out of the calm water by lifting a float first.

In amphibious (land/sea) configuration, the Sealite is priced at $60,000; in straight float configuration (no wheels, just floats), the Sealite is priced at $50,000.

Wiebe says it takes about nine months for the company to build one of these very special aircraft.  They are ultralight legal - no medical, no pilot certificate (just seaplane skill), no FAA registration. 

The Belite Sealite is a variant of the Belite Ultracub. The amphibious version incorporates carbon fiber floats, coupled with trailing link retractable landing gear. The straight float version uses the same carbon fiber floats in a water only (no wheels) version.

(Images provided by Belite)

FMI: www.beliteaircraft.com