Todays Seaplane Operations - PDF Free Download

Todays Seaplane Operations Results from the 2010 online survey Dipl.-Ing. Joachim Schömann Dipl.-Ing. Benedikt Mohr Technische Universität München

Contents Identification of the state of the art General information about the participants Operational Issues Pilots, Regulations and Certification Infrastructure and Maintenance Next Steps in the FUSETRA project 24.09.2010, slide 1

Identification of the State of the Art Seaplane & Amphibian aircraft database complete BUT does not represent current status of: Seaplanes in operation Missions types Therefore, an online survey has been conducted. 300+ operators have been asked for participation. ~10% have submitted the questionnaire before the Malta workshop. Topics of the survey: General Information about the Operator Operational Issues Pilots, Regulations and Certification Infrastructure and Maintenance 24.09.2010, slide 2

General Information about the Operator 24.09.2010, slide 4

General Information about the Operator 24.09.2010, slide 5

General Information about the Operator Origin of survey participants 24.09.2010, slide 6

Operational Issues: Aircraft Includes the fleet of the world s largest operator although not a participant 24.09.2010, slide 8

Operational Issues: Aircraft Includes the fleet of the world s largest operator although not a participant 24.09.2010, slide 9

Operational Issues: Fleets Includes the fleet of the world s largest operator although not a participant 24.09.2010, slide 10

Operational Issues: Operational key figures Information provided by 41% of the participants 24.09.2010, slide 11

Operational Issues: Operational key figures Information provided by 41% of the participants 24.09.2010, slide 12

Operational Issues: Schedule 76% of ondemand flights with respect to flight movements 24.09.2010, slide 13

Operational Issues: Purpose of flight Information provided by 61% of the participants 24.09.2010, slide 14

Operational Issues: Connection type Information provided by 55% of the participants 24.09.2010, slide 15

Pilots, Regulations and Certification: Pilots 24.09.2010, slide 17

Pilots, Regulations and Certification: Certification Certification process for new seaplane operators 24.09.2010, slide 18

Pilots, Regulations and Certification: Certification Reasons for problems: - Noise - Operation in or close to National Parks 24.09.2010, slide 19

Pilots, Regulations and Certification: Certification Restrictions: - National Parks - Water plants - Only coastal regions (EU) - Generally restricted areas 24.09.2010, slide 20

Pilots, Regulations and Certification: Certification Conflicts: - Lack of understanding about different seaplane capabilities (sudden stop, manoeuvrability ) - Queensland, Australia: Recreational boat license necessary 24.09.2010, slide 21

Pilots, Regulations and Certification: Certification Currently, there is no consistent regulation for seaplane operation in the EU (EASA). Which points would you consider, independently from your region, the most important ones to be regulated in a law? - Waterway availabilty - Overflight / noise abatement areas - Difference between private and commerical operations - Marine licensing 24.09.2010, slide 22

Infrastructure and Aircraft Seaport Management 55% of operators manage their seaport self responsible (no dependence to business size) Seaport License & Seaport Approval No uniform worldwide approach to seaport licensing and approval USA Canada Malta Australia Seaport License Seaport Approval FAA, DOT (State department) Transport Canada DCA Malta State Maritime Authority 24.09.2010, slide 24

Seaside landing sites The use of moorings, pontoons and respective foot bridges is commonly part of a seaport. Amphibian operators need not rely on seaside infrastructure and can used land bound landing strips. The use of own maintenance hangars, offices and fuel stations is also not related to business size (or aircraft operated). Additionally, the use of emergency equipment seems to be regulated differently from country to country Other items mentioned were safety boats, fuel barges and navigation marks. 24.09.2010, slide 25

Aircraft Maintenance Concept About a third of the operators maintain their aircraft themselves It was asked how many days per month the average aircraft is out of service due to maintenance. The number of days ranges from one to six days of maintenance per month. Aircraft which are used commonly (DHC-2 and Cessna 208) have the largest necessity for maintenance with 5 to 6 days per month not in operation. 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Maintenance Concept 32% 32% inhouse external 36% no answer Days in Maintenance per Month < 2 3-5 5-7 > 7 24.09.2010, slide 26

Connectivity of seaports to landside infrastructure Most operators are connected to some kind of street/ motorway infrastructure but no seaplane operator is connected to larger airports However, most businesses seem to be remote locations not closely coupled to other means of transport 24.09.2010, slide 27

Future Seaplane Transport System - Obstacles Main Problems of Operations Worldwide Europe Availability of licensed pilots 18% 50% Availability of suitable aircraft 27% 50% Safety issues 14% 20% Passenger reservation about seaplanes 0% 0% Opposition of environmental authorities 41% 20% Aviation authorities regulations 32% 40% Naval authorities regulations 18% 20% 24.09.2010, slide 28

Next Steps in the FUSETRA project Roadmap for regulatory improvements in EU level Identification of regions in the EU which could benefit from commercial seaplane services. Better integration of seaplane services in current transport system (Subsidies: consideration of PSOs; Slots at airports: Council Regulation (EEC) No 95/93). Development of a possible EU seaplane/ amphibian aircraft (family) based on operator demands Development of an example scenario of an EU based operator (routes, aircraft, seaplane base, connectivity to other means of transport, benefits for stakeholders (operator, passengers, environment)) 24.09.2010, slide 30

Public Service Obligations (PSO) Public Service Obligation or PSO is an arrangement in which a governing body an auction for subsidies, permit the winning company a monopoly to operate a specified service of public transport for a specified period of time for the given subsidy. This is done in cases where there is not enough revenue for routes to be profitable in a free market, but where there is a socially desirable advantage in this transport being available. Reasons for PSO: To link small or remote communities, and/or islands to economic and administrative centers To connect small or remote communities, and/or islands to the transport networks and hub airports To reduce peripherality and maintain social and/or political cohesion and integration See Council Regulation (EEC) No 95/93 Article 9 Regional services 24.09.2010, slide 31

Air Transport Accesibility by Region (MKMetric) Average Air Transport Accessibility of Population [Minutes] Status quo up to 300 300 to 360 360 to 420 420 to 480 480 to 540 540 and more AES SVG KRS INV VXO KID GRQ BRE HAJ OST 24.09.2010, slide 32

Any questions? 24.09.2010, slide 33