"New" Chinook Plus 2 - Amphib Gear

PLEASE NOTE:  THIS AMPHIBIOUS GEAR WAS DESIGNED FOR GROOMED FIELDS OR ASPHALT ONLY. MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT IS 1100 LBS

INTRODUCTION: The initial concept of the amphibous gear was to accommodate as wide a variety of Full Lotus float owners as possible.

The design uses electric servo motors to raise and lower the wheels and the servo motors have built in micro-switches which limit over travel in the retract lever.

A micro switch is also incorporated to insure the landing gear locks are in the correct position when raising and lowering the wheel assemblies. Failsafe features have been incorporated but, being actuated by electrical servo motors, the loss of electrical supply will result in loss of retraction and extension capabilities. In this case your wheels would be in either an up or down position, and would allow for either a safe water or wheel landing.

The Chinook used for testing featured a Rotax 582 engine and weighed in at 630lbs with the amphib gear, including all mounting hardware, floats, retract system and stiffener tubes; everything needed to operate as an amphibious aircraft. With a gross weight of 1050 lbs, this allowed a generous payload capacity of 420 lbs.

The Retractable Amphibious Gear set up is dependent on certain components from the Chinook Float Mount Kit. Non-Chinook users should contact ASAP to determine what additional components may be required for their particular aircraft.  

Additional comments: It is important for non-Chinook users to be aware that this kit was purposely designed for the Chinook Plus 2. Part of the assembly that you may have seen in our brochure depicts components that are part of our Float Mount Kit, and are completely separate from the Retractable Amphibious Gear. In some instances part of our Float Mount Kit may be applicable for different users and we can quote you on these sub assemblies accordingly.

It is likely that certain modifications will be required due to cable lengths and front nose wheel installation. For non-Chinook users, we provide the front nose wheel tube at 108” length and you can modify the length accordingly. We may be limited in advising you on the necessary modifications but we will do our utmost to assist you to the best of our abilities.