| Downwind Technology of Weston Wisconsin is a
new name in the light sport and ultralight aviation marketplace, but
the person behind it is not. Mike Puhl of Downwind Technology has
been involved in the sport for a number of years as the former owner
of Slipstream Industries, manufacturers of the Genesis series of
light sport aircraft.
When Mike sold off the aircraft division of the company he
retained the rights to the production of the Shark line of light
sport aircraft floats and then developed the Toucan exhaust system
for the Rotax 912 and Verner aircraft engines.
The Shark series of floats was first introduced to ultralight and
light sport aircraft in 1999. Initially the floats were available
only in the 1600 series which served the experimental aircraft
market place.
Recently the line has been expanded to include the models 1100
and 1350 for experimental and light sport aircraft and a model 850
for single place ultralights. All models are available in either a
straight float or amphibious float set up.
The floats are constructed of composite material inside a
fibreglass shell. Divincell which is a very strong yet light weight
aerospace product is used in the wall of the float with composite
Last A Foam used in the bulkheads. The bottom of the floats use keel
cloth with a Kevlar lining.
This gives superior strength, is very light, and can be repaired
easily in the case where a pilot makes a gear up landing on a paved
runway, or strikes a submerged log while landing on water. Unlike
fibreglass that tends to shatter when struck, Kevlar holds together
helping to prevent the collapse of the float in a severe impact
situation.
The smaller series of floats use four bulk heads, while the
larger series use five the amphib series also have added
stringers to the upper section of the float for extra strength. Man
hole covers are located between the bulkheads for inspection and the
pumping out of water.
Currently there are over 50 sets of the Shark floats being used
on a variety of light sport aircraft and are offered as the system
of choice by nine light sport aircraft manufacturers.
This year at Sun N Fun a Just Aircraft Highlander on Downwind
Technology's Shark Series 1600 amphib floats won the Grand Champion
Float plane award.
Downwind has worked closely with a number of manufacturers and
builders to design mounting hardware for various aircraft, and have
a number of mounting kits available. They have also designed the
Shark series so that the mounting locations can be easily adjusted
to suit most if not all applications.
At Airventure 2006 Downwind introduced for the first time their
"Quad Amphibian" a four wheel retract system. In this system the
floats have two retractable wheels located at the step of the float
and two castering nose wheels which retract forward and up in the
nose of the float.
The pneumatic system uses a small 300 lbs. DC compressor which is
activated via a toggle switch on the instrument panel. Four position
lights are also located on the dash indicating what position each
wheel in the system is in.
In case of pump failure or an electrical failure the system is
equipped with a backup CO 2 cartridge, which has enough power for 3
complete retract cycles.
When the system is purchased from Downwind everything needed to
mount it to the aircraft and to operate the retract system for
amphib customers is supplied. All the customer has to do is install
the spreader bars, bracing, pneumatic plumbing, and wiring.
Complete float system weights start at just over 135 lbs for the
850 series to 190 lbs for the 1600 series. This weight will be
reduced depending on the weight of your existing wheels, brakes
etc.
Delivery times for the Shark series of floats is currently
running about six weeks.
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