Dornier Amphib Splashes Down at NBAA

By Jennifer Harrington

October 7, 2008
Aircraft

German seaplane manufacturer Dornier Aircraft this week at the NBAA Convention in Orlando, Fla., announced plans to manufacture and sell the $6 million Seastar flying boat in the U.S. Former Adam Aircraft president Joe Walker will head the program as CEO of the recently formed Dornier Seaplane Co. Dornier Seaplane is independent of other Dornier Aircraft businesses and is wholly funded by the Dornier family.

To date the family has invested $150 million for the design and development of the all-composite twin-engine amphibian, but is seeking additional U.S. investors to fund the program. Walker said the company will require an additional $150 million to bring the airplane to full production status.

All manufacturing and product support will be conducted in the U.S. and only a small group of core engineers will remain at the company’s headquarters in Germany. The airplane, which has already received FAA Part 23 and EASA certification, is equipped with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-135A in-line engines, cruises at 180 knots and has a 348-cu-ft cabin.

Dornier expects a market demand of 30 to 50 units per year.

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