UTILITY-AIRCRAFT

Seabird Aviation

Australia Pty Ltd

  

 

SEABIRD SEEKER SB7L-360A

 

 

 

SERIES 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

             NEW FOR 2007

 

o                 ALL-UP-WEIGHT INCREASE

o                 VORTEX GENERATORS

o                 GARMIN AVIONICS STANDARD

o                 VACUUM SYSTEM STANDARD

 

 

 

 

2007 INFORMATION PACK

 

 

 

 

 

Australian Made – World Leader

 

Designed & developed in Australia, and now operating in Australia, the USA, Middle-East and Africa, the Seeker is a purpose built, rugged utility aircraft for private, commercial and security operations.

 

At a third of the operating cost of rotary - wing equivalents, the Seeker provides an efficient alternative for powerline and pipeline inspection, coast watch, environmental and stock monitoring, aerial photography and security -  where VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) is not mission essential. Crew visibility is unrivalled by any other fixed-wing aircraft and is superior to many helicopters. 

 

 

 

 

The SEEKER Advantage

 

Seabird Aviation Australia has designed and developed the SEEKER multi-role utility aircraft for optimum effectiveness and performance in low level observation tasks. Delivering a combination of attributes not available with conventional helicopters or commercially available fixed wing aircraft, the SeekeR represents a sound business decision and offers an impressive and unique flying experience.

SEABIRD SEEKER – A proven performer

 

¨       A history of thousands of hours of safe operation

¨       A unique proven, cost-effective airborne surveillance platform

¨       Proven integrated infrared and video downlinked sensor options

¨       A commercially proven powerline/pipeline patrol aircraft

¨       Proven in harsh desert conditions of the Middle East

¨        A unique and proven aircraft for the private owner

¨       Certified to FAR 23 in Australia and USA

¨       Type Acceptance in India , South Africa, Jordan

¨       Designed and manufactured under Production Certificate 417197 in Hervey Bay, Queensland Australia

¨       Manufactured under license by Seabird Aviation Jordan LLC in Amman, Jordan

¨       Manufactured under license by Seabird Aviation America Inc. in Albuquerque New Mexico, USA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unique features -

 

¨       Helicopter – like visibility

§   Crew seated forward of the wing highlights the deficiencies of conventional fixed-wing designs and permits unrivalled 270 degree visibility.

 

¨       Primary Safety

§   Responsive push -  rod operated controls and vice free stall handling – Will roll level when stalled in a turn

§   Minimal pitch change with power and flap changes

§   Visibility from cabin and inherent stability reduces pilot load and enhances situational awareness

§   Low stall speed and ample power-to-weight ratio enhance low level flight safety

§   High fatigue life – metal primary structure

§   Simple structure and systems ensure complete and regular maintenance

 

¨       Secondary Safety

§   Occupants protected in tubular steel “Safety Cell”

§   Fire hazards are minimised with fuel in wings and no fuel lines in cabin area

§   Four point inertia reel harness standard

 

¨       Comfortable ride

§   Forward cabin provides the crew with a smooth ride and reduced fatigue on extended  missions

§   Well ventilated and spacious cabin with top door-off operation approval

 

¨       Low vibration levels

§   With a high mounted engine and pusher prop aft of the cabin, no propeller slipstream buffet over cabin

 

¨       De-rated Lycoming 0-360 engine

§   Widely acknowledged as one of the world’s most reliable piston aircraft engines. De-rated for even greater reliability

 

¨       Low octane fuels

§   Min. 80/87 Avgas with Mogas approval

 

¨       Soft-field operation

§   Rugged spring steel main undercarriage legs. Tail wheel oleo, low pressure tyres for rough field operations

 

¨       Airframe spare parts

§   Readily available direct from Australian manufacturer, with off-the–shelf rotables commonly available

 

¨       Warranty

§   12 months/500 hours airframe warranty

 

¨       Range of sensors accommodated

§   Aperture in floor, and under-wing and fuselage hard-points. 24 volt 70 amp electrical system

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unique Design – Proven Technology & Structure

 

 

 

 

Wings                             Strut braced high-wing monoplane, with NACA 632-215 (modified) aerofoil section with constant chord.  Dihedral 2° from root.  Incidence 4° at root, 1° at tip.  No sweepback.  Vortex Generators and Leading-edge Cuffs.  All-metal skinned.  Corrosion resistant 6061T6 aluminium alloy structure, with top-hinged ailerons and mechanical slotted flaps.  Single bracing strut, with jury strut, each side.

 

Fuselage                       Pod and boom structure, of 4130 chrome molybdenum steel tube forward fuselage affording maximum crew protection.  FRP forward fuselage non-load-bearing skin.  Aluminium alloy semi-monocoque tail boom.  Removable doors and windows horizontally hinged.

 

Tail Unit                         Swept fin (with dorsal fin) and balanced rudder; non-swept fixed incidence tail plane with one-piece horn balanced elevator.  Construction similar to that of wings.  Elevator trim.

 

Landing Gear              Fixed, with Cleveland wheels and brakes. 8.00-6 low pressure main tyres and cantilever spring steel legs.  Scott 8 inch tailwheel with Oleo strut. 

 

Power Plant                 125kW (168hp) Lycoming 0-360-B2C, driving a wood-composite 2-blade fixed pitch propeller.  Fuel in two integral wing tanks, combined usable capacity 180 litres (48 US gallons, 40 Imp gallons). MoGas approved.  Over wing flush fuel caps each tank.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEEKER Applications

 

 

In applications requiring safe, low speed flight at low levels, Seeker provides the operator with a platform to augment his existing fleet or tap into new markets. 

 

Applications:

 

Agriculture, Stock and Crop Monitoring

Border patrol, Crime Prevention, Detection and Pursuit

Customs Surveillance

Environmental Survey

Fisheries

Forest Fire Detection and Control

Game Spotting

Illicit Crop Detection

News Gathering and Traffic Reporting

Photographic Platform

Pipe and Power Line Patrol

Search and Rescue

Survey and Mapping

Private Flying and Flight Training

 

 

Indicative Overhaul Hours

 

Airframe life                             75,000 hours

Propeller life                             unlimited – on condition (suggest 5,000 hours)

Engine life                                2,000 hours TBO (extendable on condition for                                                                         private use)   

 

 

 

Technical Specifications

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

External Dimensions
Wing Span	11.07 m	36 ft 4 in
Overall Length	7.00 m	23 ft 0 in
Height of Vertical Stabiliser	2.03 m	6 ft 7 in
Wheelbase	2.04 m	6 ft 8 in
Internal Dimensions
Cabin Width	1.12 m	3 ft 8 in
Doors - Long Axis	1.07 m	3 ft 6 in
Weights
Empty Weight	610kg	1342lb
Maximum T/O Mass	925 kg	2040 lb
Speeds
Min Patrol Speed (CAS)	121 km/h	65 kts
ise 75% Power (CAS)	208 km/h	112 kts
Never Exceed (CAS)	239 km/h	129 kts
Stall (40° Flap)(IAS)	89 km/h	48 kts
Fuel Capacity
Usable	180 litres	47.5 US gal
Endurance (inc. reserve)
Min. Patrol Speed	65 kts	7 h 15 min
Cruise (65% Power)		4 h 30 min
Range
Patrol Speed (65 kts)	880 km	476 nm
Cruise (65% Power)	869 km	470 nm
Fuel Flow
Patrol Speed (65 kts)	22 l/h	5.80 US gal/h
Cruise (65% Power)	34 l/h	9.00 US gal/h
Take-off/Landing
T-O run	264 m	870 ft
Landing run	198 m	654 ft
Stressing
Limit Load Factor	+3.8	-1.52
Certification
Certification Basis	FAR 23 up to & including 34
Noise Certification	ICAO Annex 16, Volume 1, Chapter 10 FAR Part 36 Appendix G
Fatigue Analysis	FAR 23 Amendment 38

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standard Equipment

 

ENGINE                                   Lycoming 0-360-B2C 

 

 

 

PROPELLER                               Bishton 177 – wood composite