The Flying Inflatable Boat
The FIB was patented by Polaris Motor SRL, the first Italian producer of
hand gliders and ultralights, in 1986, in collaboration with the
well known RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat ) manufacturer,
Lomac
Nautica.
The Malingri Family, owner of Polaris with their experience and
knowledge of the sea, designed a safe and seaworthy ultralight
with a very simple maintenance and easy to use from boats or
beaches. Since 1987 more than 1300 units have been sold around
the world (Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Turkey, Red Sea,
Argentina, Madagascar, USA etc.) Toyota bought 80 FIB units, many
units operate from tourist resorts, and are on maxi yachts. The
navy seals of Singapore use FIB's for special missions. Green
Peace has two FIB's and used them in Mururoa. The strength of
the FIB is given by his simplicity: in only 10 hours of flight
lessons you are perfectly capable of flying in safely.
|
Technical features |
|
WEIGHT BASIC UNIT |
FIB
582 486 lbs |
| MAX.
TAKE OF WEIGHT |
FIB
582 460 lbs Pilot/Student/Gear |
|
STALL SPEED |
23
MPH |
| Max
Height |
10,000 Feet |
|
CRUISING SPEED |
45-50 MPH |
| Take
Off Distance |
100-200 Ft. |
| MAX.
SPEED |
55
MPH |
| FUEL
CAPACITY |
10
Gallons |
|
Range |
2 to
3 Hours (80 Miles) |
| WING
SPAN (21 Meter Wing) |
36
Ft |
| WING
SURFACE (21
Meter Wing) |
236
Sq Ft |
|
ASPECT RATIO |
6 |
|
DOUBLE SURFACE |
35 % |
|
CONFIGURATION |
Biplace tandem |
| Boat
Length |
11'
6" |
| Motor |
Rotax 64 HP |
| 582 cc 2 Stroke |
The FIB motorized with the Rotax 582 was realized not for more
HP, but to reduce drastically the noise emissions. With the
residue power is possible to silence the motor and install a
three blade propeller. The FIB 582 is in this way more fit for
use in places were noise can be unwelcome (Hotels, Clubs etc).
FIB 582 is equipped as follow : Rotax 582 two stroke, two
cylinder, twin carburetor and twin ignition, water cooled,
mechanical reduction gear box type C or E, silencer on intake
air filter and on exhaust muffler, triple blade wood propeller
with special protection on leading edge, console with radiator
temperature instrument and with place for 4 more gauges, wing
single surface 21 sqmt.
Ask for the additional lists of options and accessories
available. Why we use a Rubber Inflatable Boat (RIB ) as a floater The FIB's purpose is to fly on all water surfaces also including
the sea, of course, which is the largest runway available in the
world.
The pontoon's system, popular in the ultalight field, was not
found safe and seaworthy for a weight shifting machine. It's
well known that a single hull seaplane has better performances
in rough sea than the conventional pontoon's like the catamaran
style . For this reason the most popular seaplanes in the world
are all single hull : like the Catalina, the Candair, and more .
After two years of testing Polaris Motor chose a specially made
RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) for floating, that permitted safe
take off and landings even in fairly rough sea. The boat jumps
from one wave to another with out any problems till it reaches
it's take of speed. The boat also protects the whole machine
(including the propeller) from the water during take off with
big waves, leaving the pilot, passenger, and engine 100% dry. In
case of very bad landings, the boat slips around avoiding
capsizing and relative damages .
Compared to a machine equipped with pontoon catamran style, the
inflatable boat has a more naturally aerodynamic shape that
reduces the drag in the air and does not interfere negatively
with the control of the aircraft.
For this reason the FIB allows take off and landing till 3/4
Beaufort with out any problems.
The fiberglass hull of the RIB is specially designed for surfing
fast with low power, this allows you to reach take of speed in a
very small space.
It's easy to understand that the FIB is very safe while taxiing
in water to reach take off and landing areas, and has the great
advantage of being able to be used in many different ways;
transport, store, parking on beaches, docks ect. |
Flying
Information ::
FIB Specs
