Konner amphib helicopter
Thread Starter

Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 768
Likes: 45
From: Montreal
Konner amphib helicopter
Might be a solution looking for a problem, but hey ho, you can't stifle innovation. What was the last amphib, 61? 206 or 47 or R22 on jiggly floats?
Last edited by malabo; 6th November 2024 at 00:47.

Joined: Mar 2005
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 6,563
Likes: 952
From: Aus
I think he's just giving the hard to reach bottom a wash
Having the capability on the off shore types could save the weight and complexity of pop outs, but I'm sure there are other considerations at play, such as stability. Over to the experts.
Have time in the 206 and 205 on fixed floats, autos to water were great fun, as was starting/shutting down while adrift.
Having the capability on the off shore types could save the weight and complexity of pop outs, but I'm sure there are other considerations at play, such as stability. Over to the experts.Have time in the 206 and 205 on fixed floats, autos to water were great fun, as was starting/shutting down while adrift.

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 327
Likes: 40
From: Melbourne, Australia
Interesting and good on 'em.
I was thinking, if one of the skids gets snagged on some underwater plants / branch or a cable or something, maybe it could result in a rollover when power is pulled. Unless the water can act as a way to dampen the effect.
I was thinking, if one of the skids gets snagged on some underwater plants / branch or a cable or something, maybe it could result in a rollover when power is pulled. Unless the water can act as a way to dampen the effect.
Fleet Manager



Joined: Aug 2006
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 7,082
Likes: 2,939
From: Ontario, Canada
Well, I've only landed a helicopter in the water a couple of times, but I have landed airplanes in the water thousands of times. Sure, in the calm conditions shown in the video, water work is straight forward, but once the wind, waves, and an uncertain bottom are factored in, a good outcome is much less certain. I've trained enough floatplane pilots to know that all of them had very unrealistic expectations of the water conditions which could be accepted for a landing. At least floatplanes and flying boat airplanes are decently stable in all directions. I would be very cautious of this helicopter perhaps landing into the waves or swells, then turning for whatsoever reason (including a floating start) and becoming sideways in the waves or swells, and being very much less stable.
And it's one thing to drift into shore in a seaplane, it's different when a rotor is projecting out in all directions. I've had wingtips in the branches many times, no problem. Big problem with rotor, even if not turning.
It looks like an attractive idea, as long as the pilot has very conservative expectations of suitable water conditions, and operating limitations.
And it's one thing to drift into shore in a seaplane, it's different when a rotor is projecting out in all directions. I've had wingtips in the branches many times, no problem. Big problem with rotor, even if not turning.
It looks like an attractive idea, as long as the pilot has very conservative expectations of suitable water conditions, and operating limitations.
Fleet Manager



Joined: Aug 2006
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 7,082
Likes: 2,939
From: Ontario, Canada
The one thing you don’t want whilst flying is an uncertain bottom.


Joined: Sep 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL(H)
Posts: 2,378
Likes: 881
From: Canada
Video didn’t show up on my feed for some reason so am reposting one in case others have the same problem.
Also the company blurb where I see the skids are retractable for water landings.
https://www.konnerhelicopters.com/en
https://www.konnerhelicopters.com/en

Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 803
Likes: 52
From: Pensacola, Florida
I dig it! What a fun idea. I'd be worried about the bending moment at the attach point of that tall tail rotor pylon...and the reliability of that (bespoke?) TK250 engine, but other than that, it'd be a cool toy to have.







