CENTAUR 6: INTRODUCTION
Summary
The Centaur 6 is a 6 or 7 seat composite amphibious flying boat. The wings can be actuated to fold while on the water to enable access to marina docks and yacht berths. The configuration suits turboprop and piston engines. It can handle approximately twice as large waves as any equivalent seaplane. It is more efficient in cruise than equivalent seaplanes. The life-cycled operating cost per seat mile in salt water is expected to be about 2/3 that of equivalent metal seaplanes. Its dispatch rate will be higher. Its operating radius will be up typically 40% to give access to twice the area in any flight.
Status
The development of the Centaur 6 has been held back by lack of finance since 2003. Between 2003 and 2008, Warrior's engineers have worked on other projects, some closely related to the Centaur 6. The engineering to date on the Centaur 6 remains current. The validity of the programme has been ratified by nearly 1,000 purchase enquiries (mostly from experienced and professional aviators), and successes with the GULL unmanned seaplanes, which use identical forms to the Centaur 6. Warrior will return to the Centaur 6 programme at the earliest opportunity, however, a date can not be fixed until resources are secure. Meanwhile Warrior continues to strengthen the business and mature the technology with related projects, with a flexible approach to financing, partnering and licensing.
The business opportunity
Over 10,000 active certified flying boats and floatplanes use 50 year old hull forms and technologies, yet the value of capacity in amphibious aircraft is commonly double that of landplanes. The Centaur 6 amphibian uses patented and fundamentally better technologies that have already revolutionised yacht and fast ferry industries in the last 20 years. The advantages remove the major constraints preventing aviation serving the maritime sector and add much value to the functions achievable by seaplanes.
The configuration will readily be scaled downward to offer equivalent advantages in recreational/tourer/trainer aircraft, and upward for business/commuter/feeder aircraft. Configurations have been outlined which will be pursued when the opportunities arise.
Seaplanes account for about 5% of active piston GA aircraft. Either a one-percent turnover or one-percent expansion in the 4-8 seat category, is expected to turn over $1billion. The potential is much greater in this market and for other products.