Design and Development
The Seastar is a parasol wing flying boat, with its two engines mounted in a single nacelle over the wings in a push-pull configuration. In general layout, it strongly resembles Dornier's Do 18 of the 1930s.
The first prototype, a proof-of-concept aircraft using the metal wings from a Dornier Do 28 and with large struts bracing the wing to the sponsons, made its maiden flight from Hamburg on 17 August 1984. The second prototype, representing the definitive design was larger, and featured a new, unbraced composite wing. It first flew from Oberpfaffenhofen on 24 April 1987.
In October 2009, Dornier Seaplane announced that it would launch production of the Seastar.
In May 2010, Dornier Seaplane announced that it would build the Seastar in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, about half an hour away from Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Read more about this topic: Dornier Seastar
Famous quotes containing the words design and/or development:
“The reason American cars don’t sell anymore is that they have forgotten how to design the American Dream. What does it matter if you buy a car today or six months from now, because cars are not beautiful. That’s why the American auto industry is in trouble: no design, no desire.”
—Karl Lagerfeld (b. 1938)
“Other nations have tried to check ... the fulfillment of our manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions.”
—John Louis O’Sullivan (1813–1895)