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, leaving some of that investment for other pursuits such as online bingo or vacations . 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.

• 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

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

Design

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.

• 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

GENERAL

• Airflow kit (Vortex Generators / Wing Cuffs)
• Cleveland 6” main wheels and brakes)
• 8.00 x 6 tyres
• 8” Scott tail wheel
• Dual Controls
• 4-point inertia-reel seat harnesses

ELECTRICAL

• Alternator: 70 amp/24 volt
• Annunciator Panel
• Nav/Strobe Lights
• Landing / Taxi Lights
• Cabin fan heater-demister
• Concorde sealed battery RG24-20

INSTRUMENTS

• Airspeed Indicator
• Altimeter
• Vertical Speed Indicator
• Turn-coordinator (Electric)
• Outside air-temp gauge
• Tachometer / Hour Meter
• Engine cluster (Oil p.,Oil t., Fuel p., CHT, EGT, V/A)
• Fuel Gauges (L/R)
• Stall Warning
• Compass
• Clock
• Hobbs hour meter – air switch
• Attitude Indicator: SIGMA-TEK IO-01071
• Directional Indicator: SIGMA-TEK IO-00588
• Post light instrument lighting

AVIONICS GPS / Comm.: GARMIN GNC 420

• Comm2 GARMIN SL40
• Transponder: GARMIN GTX 327
• Audio Panel Garmin GMA 347
• Encoder: AK-350

VACUUM SYSTEM

• Vacuum Pump: SIGMA-TEK (“Aeon” – piston type)
• Regulator: RAPCO 2H3-12Gauge, UMA(1”) 10-01100
• Filter: RAPCO RA-IJ7-1

MISCELLANEOUS

• Single base-colour polyurethane paint / 2 colour stripe
• Pilot’s Operating Handbook
• Maintenance Manual
• Parts Manual

Optional Equipment

Electrical

• Heated Pitot / Annunciator light

Propeller

• HOFFMAN – HO44HM-177138LD wood-composite

Miscellaneous

• External Power Socket
• Cargo Net
• Screen cover
• Jacking Blocks
• Aircraft Tool Kit (Basic)
• Intake Covers
• Custom Paint

Experience the SEEKER

• A SEEKER Flight is a unique and memorable experience
• The SEEKER can provide a cost- effective alternative to many conventional fixed and rotary – wing aircraft.

Indicative Hourly Operating Costs based on 500 hours flying / annum

Fuel (32 lts/hour @ (say) $1.50/lt) 48.00
Oil 2.00
Propeller allowance 1.00
Engine allowance 12.50
Insurance (say $7,500/annum) 15.00
100 hourly maintenance 20.00

TOTAL AUD 98.50

To arrange a test flight, or obtain further information, please contact;

AUSTRALIA
Seabird Aviation Australia Pty Ltd.,
Don Adams Drive,
Hervey Bay Airport 4655.
PO Box 618
Hervey Bay 4655

Tel: (07) 4125 3144
Fax: (07) 4125 3123