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For a number of years now a small company that has been making waves in the
ultralight and lightsport aircraft market has been Downwind Technology.
The company has recently changed ownership, and moved it's manufacturing
and production facilities to Green Bay Wisconsin. David Cook the new
owner has an engineering background in the automotive world, and
experience in manufacturing capital equipment. Being a pilot for over 16
years he has always wanted to get into an aviation business so when his close
friend Mike Puhl owner of Downwind Technology indicated he was getting
ready to retire he decided to purchase the company.
David then went about redesigning the structural interior of the
float, as well as changing the type of materials used in production. The
CAD designed V hull floats feature a durable composite Devinycell
foam construction, and a Kevlar keel.
While customers may not be able to physically tell the difference
between the Shark Series I and Shark Series II float, the redesigning
has both strengthened and lightened the float.
Working with his composite partners David has spent a lot of time and
resources to develop a composite layup procedure, which has enable
Downwind to keep the float weight down, minimize drag, while maximizing
strength.
This procedure utilizes a unique bulkhead design which integrates I
beam construction into the bulkhead, which substantially increases the
strength in compression. On the amphibious Quad retract Shark Series II
float the first bulk head can be found 14" inches back from the nose,
and it houses the front nose gear. From there the sealed bulkhead
compartments are found every 24" down the float. This type of design
prevents an aft CG problem if the float is breached by rocks etc.
Downwind also integrates metal hard point mounting plates into the
top deck of the floats, directly perpendicular to the I beam. This
allows for a variety of aircraft mounting positions.
The amphib retract system uses a simple pneumatic air system, powered
by a 12 volt battery powered air pump. This system is has proven to be
inexpensive, effective, lightweight, reliable, easy to assemble and
maintain. For backup purposes incase of electrical failure a CO2
cartridge is installed in the system which is capable of cycling the
system 3 times. The water rudders are also retractable.
On the Shark Series II floats the rear wheel box size has been
increased to allow easier access for tire and wheel maintenance.
The floats are available in sizes 850, 1100, 1350 and 1600 which
represents the take off weight of the aircraft when equipped with
floats. Since the color of the float is imbedded into the float during
production a customer can actually supply a paint chip color to have his
floats match his aircraft.
Total float installation weight runs from 180 to 210 lbs. minus the
aircraft's land gear components.
The same quad retract system is used on all 4 series of floats. A
tri-gear float retract is also available.
Downwind currently has approximately 15 different aircraft
manufacturers using their float systems, including Challenger, Rans,
Kitfox, Highlander, Skyranger, Slipstream Genesis, Revelation, Allegro
2000, and EuroFox. |
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