Corfu hydroplane trial flight: What’s happening with the postponement?
Hydroplanes
03 Nov 2017
/ 09:56
CORFU.Within a week at the latest, K-2 and Hellenic Waterways expect to receive the certifications they have requested from Setouchi Holdings and the manufacturer, Quest, regarding the airworthiness of the amphibious aircraft. The hydroplane had been scheduled to conduct a test flight on Sunday 29/10 at the Corfu Port Authority water airport.
The representative of K-2, the partner of Hellenic Waterways - who are partners with Corfu Port Authority at the Ionian water airports - requested additional testing of the aircraft's floats. His request was accepted and Sunday’s trial flight was postponed, pending the arrival of an inspector from the American Federal Aviation Administration to check the aircraft and issue the necessary certification.
According to sources from K-2, the involvement of the US FAA is necessary due to the fact that this type of hydroplane is manufactured in the US (Idaho) and is therefore subject to its regulations. Within the coming week, the inspector is expected from Germany, where the FAA have their European Headquarters. K-2 and Hellenic Waterways intend to purchase about 30 amphibious aircraft, to be used in the Greek network of water airports in the Ionian and Aegean Seas. They are interested in the small type of aircraft, like the Kodiak, as well as other planes with a larger capacity. They believe that the meticulousness with which they are dealing with the safety issues is a credit to the company.
From New Zealand
The trial flight of the amphibious aircraft at the Corfu Port Authority water airport, scheduled for Sunday, was postponed. The Greek management company and Setouchi Holdings made a joint announcement to this effect on Saturday evening, citing an unforeseen maintenance issue due to the current high safety specifications. The postponement will be at least until there has been an inspection by the flight control and mechanics of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The hydroplane flew to Corfu from its base in New Zealand, flying round half the globe in just over seven days, stopping at airports and not water airports.
Meeting
Meanwhile, the administration of Corfu Port Authority is expected to meet this week, with at least three interesting items on the agenda. All three concern credit approval for the acquisition/construction of a new larger floating jetty to facilitate the landing of hydroplanes. The acquisition of a marquee to cover an area of 1 stremma (1/4 acre) as an extension to the terminal, which is packed on peak cruise ship days. The acquisition of a dredger to remove seaweed and debris from the smaller depths (up to 8 metres). This work is usually outsourced to a contractor, and has proved to be costlier and to take longer.
As regards the trial flight of the hydroplane, the Port Administration is awaiting the developments and according to the chairman and managing director, Spyro Stefanidis, all the necessary installations are in place and ready.
According to sources from K-2, the involvement of the US FAA is necessary due to the fact that this type of hydroplane is manufactured in the US (Idaho) and is therefore subject to its regulations. Within the coming week, the inspector is expected from Germany, where the FAA have their European Headquarters. K-2 and Hellenic Waterways intend to purchase about 30 amphibious aircraft, to be used in the Greek network of water airports in the Ionian and Aegean Seas. They are interested in the small type of aircraft, like the Kodiak, as well as other planes with a larger capacity. They believe that the meticulousness with which they are dealing with the safety issues is a credit to the company.
From New Zealand
The trial flight of the amphibious aircraft at the Corfu Port Authority water airport, scheduled for Sunday, was postponed. The Greek management company and Setouchi Holdings made a joint announcement to this effect on Saturday evening, citing an unforeseen maintenance issue due to the current high safety specifications. The postponement will be at least until there has been an inspection by the flight control and mechanics of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The hydroplane flew to Corfu from its base in New Zealand, flying round half the globe in just over seven days, stopping at airports and not water airports.
Meeting
Meanwhile, the administration of Corfu Port Authority is expected to meet this week, with at least three interesting items on the agenda. All three concern credit approval for the acquisition/construction of a new larger floating jetty to facilitate the landing of hydroplanes. The acquisition of a marquee to cover an area of 1 stremma (1/4 acre) as an extension to the terminal, which is packed on peak cruise ship days. The acquisition of a dredger to remove seaweed and debris from the smaller depths (up to 8 metres). This work is usually outsourced to a contractor, and has proved to be costlier and to take longer.
As regards the trial flight of the hydroplane, the Port Administration is awaiting the developments and according to the chairman and managing director, Spyro Stefanidis, all the necessary installations are in place and ready.
