The Sea Wing Newsletter - Vol 1. No 5. Dec 1996 SEA WING INTERNATIONAL Pty Ltd Box 12 Margate Tasmania 7054 Tel (03) 6267 1600 Fax (03) 6267 1601 Welcome to our fifth newsletter for all our new customers and supporters around the world. Market Response Now that sea trials have commenced, our customers are realising the necessity of being the first in their area to be operating a Sea Wing vessel. To ensure this eventuates, a number of our customers are now negotiating with Sea Wing concerning the payment of a 1% holding deposit. This will ensure that their position is high on the list for the first boats which are due to come off the production line in June of next year. There is now a great deal of interest in ground effect technology throughout the world. This is becoming more evident by the amount of potential new customers that are coming forth asking for information on the Sea Wing vessel. Ground effect technology is going to create an evolution within the transport industry during the coming years. Business Support As with any new and growing business the administration continues to steadily evolve to the stage of now employing a company secretary supported by two clerical officers. In addition to the routine business activities considerable time is being spend on desktop publishing work in support of the Sea Wing vessels. Another small but essential task has been the development of a security system to screen the variety of people who wish to enter our R&D site. This has become necessary with the increased activity related to sea trials together with the increased curiosity of the local residents. Research & Development The 02 Sea Wing demonstration boat has now been on sea trials since we last reported to you our "unofficial" launch on the 30th October. Five critical test sessions have been successfully completed to date. Electronics, navigation and flight control systems and all the control surface hydraulics have been calibrated and are now operating to specification. Several tow tests have been undertaken at graduated speeds with water borne manoeuvres. These figures now allow the accurate setting of the propeller pitch and speed ratios on the drive train to be precisely matched to the actual loads to be incurred. In turn, this arduous but necessary process ensures the absolute optimum efficiency from the motors and propellers in operation. With the boat riding happily on the plane during today's test it is envisaged that our first airborne trial will be accomplished shortly. Flight School In order to promote and maintain the highest operational and safety standards for our vessels, Sea Wing has established a Captain's flight training school. In conjunction with the Australian Maritime College at Launceston, Tasmania is able to offer full high speed navigation, high speed radar, plus both simulator and hands-on training for all Sea Wing flying boat captains and crew. The first training school intake is due in March 1997. For further information including Brochures, prices and detailed Specification Sheets, please contact: Marketing Director: Sea Wing International Pty Ltd (ACN 071 440152) PO Box 12 Margate 7054 Tasmania 7054 Australia Telephone: Domestic 03 6267 1600 Int'l +61 3 6267 1600 Facsimile: Domestic 03 6267 1601 Int'l +61 3 6267 1601 E-mail seawing@ozemail.com.au

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As Air-Freight and Air-Passenger transport has become more economical over the past decade there has been a growing need for a quantum leap in the speed capability of marine craft to maintain the economic advantages of sea travel.

Sea Wing vessels ride a self generated air wave, known as ground effect. In nature, sea birds such as the Albatross, the Shearwater, and the Pelican, use ground effect in order to extend their flight range, in some cases to incredible distances across oceans. The Wright brothers used ground effect when they first flew their aircraft, the "Flyer".

Without the drag of water much higher speeds can be achieved without any wave impacts, pitching and rolling or the high fuel usage normally associated with very high speed marine transport. In fact, due to the 'Ground Effect' advantage close to the water, the Sea Wing use 50% less fuel than aircraft,-with a similar ride quality.

Registered, operated and maintained as a marine vessel, with airborne speeds of between 40 knots and 160 knots, these flying boats give private sector marine operators the competitive edge for safe, economical, high speed passenger and freight transport. Sea Wing are ideal for government use such as Patrol boats, Research vessels or Search and Rescue craft, and offer cost effective, broad application marine transport at aircraft speeds - and without the need for expensive airports or aircraft pilots.

Due for commissioning in May 1997 is Production vessel #1, a 20 seat, 5 tonne Maximum Take-Off Weight Sea Wing vessel that will travel at maximum speeds of up to 160 knots and around 8 metres maximum height above the water.

The performance capabilities are even more impressive for the 12 tonne, 45 seat Sea Wing vessel which will travel at maximum speeds of up to 160 knots and around 12 metres maximum height above the water. The 'O12' vessels are also available for delivery starting June 1997. These larger, diesel powered models are fitted with water jet propulsion units for slow speed waterborne docking and manoeuvring. Airborne speeds of up to 160 knots are achievable with a maximum range of around 520 nautical miles. These speeds are sufficient to outrun most adverse weather.

When comparing engine power to payload weight capability, the Sea Wing craft are four times more efficient than conventional aircraft, up to fourteen times more efficient than helicopters and travel at two to three times the speed of current high speed catamarans. The Sea Wing craft are vastly superior to both hydrofoil and hovercraft in terms of speed, sea state capabilities and economy of operation.

Copyright 1996

Seawing International P/L

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By virtue of the unique Sea Wing aerodynamic design, sustainable free flight is not possible out of ground-effect. This legally defines the Sea Wing as marine vessels for construction, operator licensing and registration requirements. In conjunction with the Australian Maritime College, Sea Wing International will commence operation of a Sea Wing pilot training and licensing school in March 1997.

Flight attitude of a Sea Wing is extremely stable. Flight-control is really no more complex than operating a motor vehicle.

Ducted fan propulsion ensures noise emission levels are exceptionally low.

With an airborne speed capability as low as 40 knots, surface level inspections and information gathering using Sea Wing is quick and efficient -no restrictions are imposed by shallow water, submerged objects or sandbars.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Construction:

As an option, a retractable undercarriage with brakes and steering can be incorporated for independent taxiing, slipping and beaching procedures, greatly reducing ground-handling and maintenance infrastructure. For government agency operation an undercarriage suited to beach or runway landings can be fitted.

Access to the vessel is from the front or rear. If required the craft are able to reverse onto a beach or ramp for loading/unloading, with the front hull still afloat. Side hatches are also provided for emergency escape.

Copyright 1996

Seawing International P/L

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Electronics:

Dual-pilot fly-by-wire single joystick controls operate rudders for steering and trim tabs for banking. Fore and aft pitch trim for varying payload conditions is achieved by adjustable elevator settings.

Accommodation:

Performance:

Altitude is totally controlled by forward speed; automatic fore and aft pitch stability prevents undue alteration to the angle of attack of the wing at any time. This feature ensures a stall-proof aerodynamic attitude on all points of the Sea Wing performance envelope.

The Sea Wing 02 vessels can operate in up to Force 6 (25 knots) weather which equates to safe, high speed travel over up to 2.5 metre high waves with Take-Off in waves of up to 1.5 metres. The Sea Wing 05 and 012 vessels will operate safely in up to Force 7 or 33 knot winds over waves of up to 3.5 metres with Take-Off in waves of up to 2.5 metres.

In flight passenger comfort in a seaway is similar to the slow, up and down motion commonly experienced on a large ship.

Copyright 1996

Seawing International P/L

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Within both South-East Asia and the Pacific regions, there is a great need for the cheap, reliable and high speed transport both in the Government and private sectors. To continue their dynamic economic growth into the next century, the Pacific nations will certainly require Sea Wing ground effect vessels.

Copyright 1996

For further information including Brochures, prices and detailed Specification Sheets, please contact:

Marketing Director:
Sea Wing International Pty Ltd (ACN 071 440152)
PO Box 12 Margate 7054
Tasmania 7054 Australia
Telephone: Domestic 03 6267 1600
Int'l +61 3 6267 1600
Facsimile: Domestic 03 6267 1601
Int'l +61 3 6267 1601

E-mail seawing@ozemail.com.au