New Amphibian Aircraft Could Splash Down in Québec

This picture of the Dornier Seastar prototype shows a very distinctive looking aircraft: the two turboprop engines are mounted back-to-back in the middle of a raised wing attached to the cabin by four pylons. Look too closely and you might think two aircraft are mounted one on top of the other.

Marie Tison / La Presse
(Montréal) The legendary Dornier family of Germany is giving serious consideration to locating an assembly plant for an amphibious aircraft in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu or Trois-Rivières.

However, it is also considering two other locations in Florida and Alabama.

The assembly plant would lead to the creation of 200 to 250 direct jobs, as well as 70 to 75 jobs at Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC), which will provide the engines for the Seastar.

It was the people at P&WC who, when they heard that Dornier Seaplane Company planned to locate its assembly plant in North America, suggested the company should look at Québec, Conrado Dornier mentioned.
Mr. Dornier, Chairman of the Board of Dornier Seaplane Company and grandson of the founder of Dornier Aircraft, Claude Dornier, met with La Presse Affaires inside one of only two Seastar prototypes yesterday, during the 48th annual convention of the Canadian Business Aviation Association, in Montréal.

The aircraft has a very distinctive appearance: the two turboprop engines are mounted back-to-back in the middle of a raised wing attached to the cabin by four pylons. Look too closely and you might think two aircraft are mounted one on top of the other.

The aircraft was certified in the early 1990s in the United States and Europe, but never took off. The Dornier family, which has been active in the aeronautics industry since the beginning of the 20th century, has invested US$150 million to revive the project.

A Promising Market
Mr. Dornier explained that the family-owned company wanted to assemble the aircraft in North America to be closer to its main market and limit its exposure to fluctuations in the euro.

Dornier Seaplane Company considers that North America will represent two thirds of its market. Canada alone is expected to account for 40% of that, because of its numerous bodies of water, but also because of the positive attitude here with respect to amphibious aircraft and seaplanes.

The “business” version of the Seastar could serve wealthy customers wanting to travel to their cottage or yacht. A “shuttle” version will be able to carry a dozen passengers. A third version could be used by governments to carry wounded people or survey the coastline.

There are already 25 orders for the US$6-million aircraft. Dornier Seaplane Company intends to begin production within 24 months. The company will have to select the location of its assembly plant no later than this summer.

“We want a location that is accessible to customers and suppliers, has skilled workers and has access to a body of water,” Mr. Dornier indicated.

He met with representatives of the Québec government, who explained what the province has to offer.
“You need quality manpower to produce quality products,” Mr. Dornier said. “Québec has a reputation for that. Just as its government is known for its support for the industry.”

Mr. Dornier also visited Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Trois-Rivières and met with local stakeholders. At the end of the interview with La Presse Affaires, the cheerful delegation from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu unexpectedly entered the Seastar to take a closer look.

“It would be a good thing if the plant were located here,” the mayor of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu said, sitting in the co-pilot’s seat for a closer look at the multitude of buttons and levers in the cockpit.

A small American company also wants to build a light amphibious aircraft, the Seawind, in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. The Seawind seats four and costs $400 000.
Mr. Dornier indicated that the two aircraft were not competitors since they targeted different markets.

“The aircraft are complementary,” he said.