How hard would it be to convert a seaplane into a “Flying RV”?
by admin on Sunday, June 12th, 2011 | 6 Comments
I’m just rather curious, as to whether or not it would be too difficult to convert a decently sized Seaplane, like a Grumman Albatross or similar, into essentially a Flying RV/ Motor home, with typical RV features inside such as a shower, small restroom, stove, generator, and such. It would certainly be more expensive than a regular RV, but it seems like a rather neat thing to do, actually, if possible.
It does sound like a great idea, but you’d need to ensure that you have a plane with a pretty sizeable payload to be able to handle the appliances. I’m not familiar with the Grumman Albatross, but I’d think the first thing you need to do would be to ensure the things you plan to put in your flying RV, along with full fuel and any passengers, don’t exceed the plane’s maximum take-off weight. As far as regulations go, I couldn’t say. My advice would be to talk to someone in your local Flight Standards District Office, I’m sure they should be able to help. To find one near you, google “fsdo,” go to their site, and enter your info.
Good luck!
That has been done on a limited basis with a PBY, and perhaps an Albatross, so it’s do-able, but expen$ive…
Any certified aircraft interior shop could do that if you had the money. Or construct one yourself. This chap built two ( a single and a twin).
Dean Wilson Private Explorer;
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/0/0/8/1474800.jpg
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/5/6/4/1479465.jpg
The last time I was at the EAA’s Oshkosh fly-in I saw a big amphibian that had been fitted out with sleeping acommodations for crew and passengers. I suppose if you have the money to be able to afford to maintain and fly such a craft, you can do whatever you want with the interior.
there was an article in Flying or Private Pilot about such a conversion of the Albatross. The sponsons were modified into pods for SeaDoos.
Take a look at the lone interior shot of Jimmie Buffet’s Albatross
http://www.buffettworld.com/airplanes_albatross.html
Google Grumman Albatross for sale to find one suitable for converting.
You can only do that in outer space