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| STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 1,500. Empty wt. 1,000. Fuel capacity 20. Wingspan 36’6″. Length 24′. Engine 85- to 100-hp Continental. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 95. Cruise mph 85. Stall mph 45. Climb rate 600. Ceiling 13,000. Takeoff time 20 sec. Range 320. |
Volmer Jensen’s two-place Sportsman amphibian has to be called one of the more successful homebuilt designs around. Building it costs about a tenth as much as buying a comparable airplane. Saltwater can’t hurt its fiberglass plywood hull, so corrosion is no problem. The Sportsman uses fabric-covered Aeronca Chief or Champion wings. It is essentially a small flying boat fitted with wheels that can be exchanged for skis. Power is supplied by a 100-hp Continental mounted in pusher fashion.
