Uncategorized

With retractable water rudders now installed, water maneuverability trials completed.

After approximately 14 years of effort, the PRIVATEER™ amphibian, a six to seven passenger aircraft, has been completed and is prepared to finalize flight testing (currently 27.5 hours).​The PRIVATEER™ was designed and built by retired Boeing engineer Bill Husa, with hulls designed by Robert Gornstein, a Hydrostatics Engineer having prior experience with the first Hawaii…

The PRIVATEER™ amphibian was designed by Boeing engineer Bill Husa and marine engineer Robert Gornstein (Both deceased). Bill worked on the US Space Shuttle landing gear, among other high-level projects. Robert worked to develop the first high-speed ferry used in Hawaii and designed the hulls for the PRIVATEER™. PRIVATEER™ was built by Bill Husa at…

It has been a while and much has happened to relate.​Kudos to Jim Janicki, Vice President of Quality at LAUNCH Technical Workforce Solutions, for arranging an airworthiness certificate which has allowed us to get 27.5 hours of flight time for Privateer™. I should note that Privateer™ has performed better than expected in a number of…

In preparation for water testing of Privateer™ to be held at Leesburg Airport (LEE), Rob has “singled-up” the landing gear so that we can retract the gear into the hulls.​During the first week of March, the aircraft was making a final test of gear retraction at Melbourne (MLB) when an unexpected crosswind gust made for…

Privateer™ amphibian has been moved from Space Coast Regional Airport (TIX) to Melbourne International Airport (MLB) after having achieved its first flight on August 6, 2018.​Privateer™ will remain at Melbourne while completing water landings and testing. We will use the new ramp recently installed at Leesburg International Airport, (LEE) to access the water. The ramp…

Rob Lueck, President of Top Flight Services, and Harvey Cleveland, Test Pilot, have proven to be the “A-Team” in the development of the Privateer™ Amphibian.​After ten years of effort in both Seattle, WA, and Titusville, FL, Privateer™ completed its first flight on August 6, 2018.​Privateer™ is now both the safest and fastest modern amphibian.​Harvey has…