Performance
The nominated cruise speed of 75 KTAS (an interim AMSA restriction) is 40KTS faster than the fastest passenger vessel with no water depth restriction in cruise so the craft can traverse sandbars and coral reefs. A powerful Red Aircraft A03 500 HP Turbo Diesel with a fully reversing MT propeller will allow the Seabus to have a very short take-off run and a short landing distance utilising this reverse thrust.
Operating Economics
The cost per seat mile of the Seabus is 0.098₵ which is comparable to a train or large displacement ship. The corrosion free all composite construction significantly reduces maintenance costs and weight a further reduction in costs will be bought about by the craft being maintained within the marine jurisdiction.
Safety
The Seabus has been designed and will be built in accordance with the construction guidelines as laid down by DVN-GL and overseen by the Composites Consulting Group in Queensland. One of the main design principles of the Seabus was one of safety, the Cockpit canopy is constructed of clear carbon fibre composite and the nose cone and leading edges of the flying surfaces re-enforced with a multi carbon fibre composite mix to withstand a low level bird strike of a larger bird such as a pelican. The SB-8 will be using a non-volatile kero/diesel and bio-diesel fuel as compared to the normal highly volatile avgas and the craft will have vacant component areas filled with lightweight foam making the craft unsinkable. A skyview flight director coupled with a Lowrance chart plotter and radar will pinpoint the SB-8’s location at any given time and in the case of an engine malfunction the runway is never more than 2 meters away.
Durability
The Seabus was designed in Australia with Commercial pilots, Aeronautical engineers and Naval architects having significant input. Many overseas designs were scrutinised and their performance analysed, with special consideration given to: 1. Simplicity of manufacturing 2. Ease of maintenance. 3. Hull cleaning. 4. passenger loading and unloading. 5. Passenger comfort and view. 6. Pilot handling on water and in GE. 7. Re-fuelling. 8. Stability and payload range. Special effort has gone into the selection of an all carbon fibre structure for weight, strength and corrosion, the Seabus design eventuated from these criteria.
Maintenance
The Engine and flight control system inspections will be very similar to that of the aviation requirements i.e. on the A, B, C, D hourly regime, however a maintenance schedule for flying surfaces and hull will be calendar events and primarily consist of Borescope inspections through a series of small inspection panels in the flying surfaces and under floor as well as X-rays of the known high stress areas.