Thermoplastic Hatch Covers For Quest Kodiak Floats
Thermoplastic composite parts made by Plasticomp are replacing traditional aluminium materials in a non-structural application for Wipaire, an aircraft float manufacturer. The parts - inspection hatch covers - provide access to water-tight compartments in seaplane floats for Wipaire's Wipline 7000 floats as installed on the amphibious version of the Quest Kodiak, a USD1.1m (GBP730,000), single-engine-turboprop, 10-seat, 750hp, backcountry utility aircraft manufactured in Sand Point, Idaho. The float-equipped Kodiak is scheduled to be certified for service in spring 2010. The long, glass-reinforced, thermoplastic hatch covers were a joint development: Plasticomp provided technical guidance on materials and processes plus the actual part moulding, while Wipaire designed the part and made the mould in its in-house machine shop. The project took just less than 120 days to complete. This Quest Kodiak, equipped with Wipline 7000 floats manufactured by Wipaire, is shown in flight testing...