Thailand produces its first seaplane

By The Nation

 

 

Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) has successfully tested the NAX-5 seaplane, which has been named Chalakasyan by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

 

TSRI is also hoping to register the seaplane with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) so it can be commercially produced.

 

Atichat Preittigun, deputy director of TSRI, said Thailand’s first 2-seater single-wing seaplane was built using locally produced composite material.

 

The plane has completed more than 200 hours of flying and was used in a reconnaissance mission as well as for training in flood-rescue missions and sea patrol.

 

 

It’s maximum fuel capacity is 145 litres and consumes an average of 15 to 20 litres per hour. The NAX-5 can fly for four hours at 153 kilometres an hour, though it can reach a maximum speed of 260kmph.

 

The plane performed test flights safely and efficiently, though it needs further improvement to ensure its structure is in line with the AC 90-89B standard.

 

The aircraft’s structure has also had to undergo some adjustments, the landing gear has had to be brought up to the ASTM F-2245 standard and its take-off performance has had to be improved.

 

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30395513

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-10-02

 

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Excellent !  and elsewhere.

 

They are  not serious, are they?

Was it built from scratch or adapted from another plane?

If it was adapted it.s a load of <deleted>.

17 minutes ago, overt2016 said:

They are  not serious, are they?

Was it built from scratch or adapted from another plane?

If it was adapted it.s a load of <deleted>.

You can built a plane? 

Or not?

As it has landing wheels it is technically an Amphibian and not a Seaplane!

1 hour ago, Yinn said:

You can built a plane? 

Or not?

It's not about us being able to build planes, it's about the fact that this is nothing new. These machines have been in existence for decades.

 

Why certain people constantly try to reinvent the wheel - and then try to portray it as being some kind of great feat and a milestone in history - is beyond me. 

 

Imagine me making a plate of som dam for the first time and then telling the world that it was my brainchild. Simply ridiculous! 

1 hour ago, fangless said:

As it has landing wheels it is technically an Amphibian and not a Seaplane!

Correct.

They should go James Bond and make it a submarine as well, at least that would save them throwing away 30 billion Baht on obsolete Chinese subs, silly Billies that they are. 

5 hours ago, fangless said:

As it has landing wheels it is technically an Amphibian and not a Seaplane!

Seaplanes are divided into Floatplanes and Flying Boats.

 

Both may be classified as Amphibious.

 

Because the NAX-5 depends on a fuselage/hull for bouyancy it is an Amphibious Flying Boat.

 

This is an Amphibious Floatplane:

 

This is an Amphibious Flying Boat:

 

Floatplane:

 

Flying Boat:

 

All are Seaplanes.

 

 

Edited October 2, 20205 yr by Enoon

7 hours ago, webfact said:

It’s maximum fuel capacity is 145 litres and consumes an average of 15 to 20 litres per hour. The NAX-5 can fly for four hours at 153 kilometres an hour, though it can reach a maximum speed of 260kmph.

Shouldn't it be 145/20 = ~7 hours?

33 minutes ago, jackdd said:

Shouldn't it be 145/20 = ~7 hours?

 

15-20l/hr is average at range speed-economy cruise?........they're trying to sell it.

 

Consumption at 153k (fast cruise) is 36l/hr?

 

260kph until the engine/airframe disintegrates? (it sounds like a "never exceed" speed).

 

Edited October 2, 20205 yr by Enoon

3 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Correct.

See post #10

 

Maybe they can now equip their planeless aircraft carrier with a few useless toys. 

joy rides to ferry chinese up and down the Chao Phraya

I bet they forgot to waterproof it.

 

But, but, only 2 seater, what can it be used for, certainly won't be going into public service... 

16 hours ago, webfact said:

built using locally produced composite material

So I guess this is a cheeky way to say it's made out of plastic.

 

16 hours ago, webfact said:

though it needs further improvement to ensure its structure is in line with the AC 90-89B standard

This standard is for amateur built aircraft only. I don't think you want a rescue plane that lands in the sea to merely scrape by the weakest of all standards. This thing sounds like it will be a regrettable death trap in time--make a really weak and cheap piece of plastic and then throw it into the most demanding and harsh conditions and stresses.

 

Edited October 3, 20205 yr by canopy

Has it crashed yet?

It's on my no-fly list.

9 hours ago, steven100 said:

joy rides to ferry chinese up and down the Chao Phraya

Alternatively to ferry Chinese up & down the Mekong to ensure Thailand is not getting too much water .......................LOL

good job and good for them for at least having a crack at building something. 

Thai's love to re-invent things for no reason...EV's will be another example.

 

Sea planes have been available for a long time. Tried, tested and built by people who have a history in building planes, have spare parts, upgrades and maintenance.

 

If you really need a few 2-seat sea planes, why would you not just go a buy one of these ones.

 

Fail.

13 hours ago, Guderian said:

They should go James Bond and make it a submarine as well, at least that would save them throwing away 30 billion Baht on obsolete Chinese subs, silly Billies that they are. 

Aren't readers on Thaivisa always complaining that they already have submarines? 

17 hours ago, Yinn said:

You can built a plane? 

Or not?

Yes without problems, but a real plane not this toy for bureaucrats in uniform who have to justify their monthly pay.

Wiki - On 28 March 1910, Frenchman Henri Fabre flew the first successful powered seaplane, the Gnome Omega-powered hydravion, a trimaran floatplane.

So 110 years later Thailand catch up ......

 As an ex pilot with over 2000 hours flying experimental composite aircraft, the bit that jumped out for me was the 'take off performance needs to be improved'  in the OP.

Not too impressed with that.

21 hours ago, webfact said:

The aircraft’s structure has also had to undergo some adjustments, the landing gear has had to be brought up to the ASTM F-2245 standard and its take-off performance has had to be improved.

Almost back to the drawing board then.. 

17 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Almost back to the drawing board then.. 

I think they are saying it floats for bit but does not fly

 

Good God they have invented a boat!!

20 hours ago, overt2016 said:

They are  not serious, are they?

Was it built from scratch or adapted from another plane?

If it was adapted it.s a load of <deleted>.

I had a friend, who build his own airplanes from scratch – two, to be accurate – so it can be done. One was build in his garage, the next one in a spare living room with huge sliding doors. I've also been flying with him, but not in his own planes, they were both one-seat.

My friend's uncle also build his own airplanes, and even he never got a license to fly, the civil aviation accepted him, as he had his own grass field for take-off and landing, and he had been been flying almost since flying in motor-aircrafts began...????

have they named it "Sub1"