KYAN-AERO SOLO SURF (SMR-1000R, Prod.2038)
Sports floatplane
Rank: II

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USER MANUAL

CONTROLS

Controls are included in the Craft Instructions.
VTOL - Flaps (note 1) (note 2)
AG1 - Navigation Lights
AG2 - Beacon Lights
AG3 - Strobe Lights
AG4 - Landing Lights

Note:
1. The flaps lever in the cockpit has priority. If the flaps lever is lowered by any amount, the VTOL input is ignored.
2. The extension angle is also limited by current airspeed. See Flaps Protection.

INSTRUMENT PANEL

Flaps
The flaps have three levels of extension (12, 25, and 50 degrees), plus a fully retracted position. Four colored lights show the extension level that is selected.

Flaps Protection
This system prevents the flaps from being extended above certain airspeeds. It will delay the extension of flaps until the speed is decreased. Flaps will also automatically retract above the specified airspeeds. The speeds for each flap position are as follows:
- Flaps 12: 240 kts (445 km/h)
- Flaps 25: 200 kts (370 km/h)
- Flaps 50: 160 kts (296 km/h)

Radar Altimeter
The radar altitude readout helps with smoother landings. It is calibrated to show an altitude of zero feet at the point where the aircraft touches the water.

Stopwatch
The digital stopwatch can be used for racing or dead reckoning. Push the "Run" button to start the timer, and push it again to pause it. Push the "Reset" button to restart the timer from zero.

WATER HANDLING

• No sharp turns above 100 knots (185 km/h)
• Be careful of spinning if turning with the aid of differential thrust.

DEV COMMENTS

Weird seaplane for the Seaplane Challenge. It was originally designed for a different challenge but I wasn't feeling it too much.

Original sketch

The aircraft is inspired by a what-if scenario - what if seaplanes for island defense really took off? Speed aside, this plane has fighter performance. Try to hit ring 16 on Shark Tooth, I got a 3:07 ))))))

There is a lot of influence from real life aircraft. The rectangular air intakes are based on the Jaguar, but are not connected to the high wings. The engine and empennage arrangement is based on the F-4. The tail is more modern and based on private jets. The design is quite practical other than the fact that you have high drag pontoons on a high speed airplane.

The cockpit is all about visibility, and seeing the ground below you. I experimented more with labels to build flight instruments. Some of which don't use gauge faces at all. I used some previous knowledge from messing about with Processing.

Overall, a nice dive into the sports general aviation category.

40 hours later post: no one has found the hidden "comment [ ___ ] if you read this" message yet bruh

Cursed image (i'm making another character drawing based on this plane, maybe i'll add it here when i'm done)

INFORMATION

The first-generation SOLO SURF, model SMR-1000, is a sports seaplane built by Kyan Aerospace Company (KYAN-AERO).

Specifications (SMR-1000R Prod.2038)
Relevant flight tests at 25,000 ft
Crew: 1
Length: 9.72 m
Wingspan: 7.98 m
Height: 4.03 m
Empty weight: 2,600 kg
Gross weight: 3,300 kg
Powerplant: 2x low bypass turbofan engine
Maximum speed (TAS): 387 kts (717 km/h)
Range (100% thrust): 262 nmi (485 km)
Speed limit (IAS): 380 kts (704 km/h)
Speed limit (Mach): 0.78
Rated G-load: +7.5/-2.2 G

Avionics (SMR-1000R Prod.2038)
"GAMING GT1000" flight display and air data computer
VHF communication system
ADF and VOR radio navigation system
GPS (optional)

Production (SMR-1000, all variants)
Developer: Kyan Aerospace Company
Manufacturer: Kyan Aerospace Company
Units Built: 1411
Unit Cost: from $600,000 (SMR-1000R)

KYAN-AERO was founded by five former employees of a well-known jet aircraft manufacturer. Using their experience, they designed their first concept aircraft, a jet-powered seaplane with floats blended into the wing. The prototype was displayed at a Southeast Asian air show and, while a static display and unable to fly, it succeeded in getting attention from the industry. KYAN-AERO received the funding needed to start a small aircraft manufacturing plant, and "promised" to build a jet seaplane.

In the years of research and development that followed, KYAN-AERO substantially toned down the design of the aircraft to a more conventional configuration. Floats were mounted on pylons under the fuselage, and the wings were now top-mounted. However, other features like the fighter-style engine placement and the cockpit nose cone were kept.

The machine was dubbed the SOLO SURF and its serial production began in 2038. Two variants were produced - a standard model with less thrust, and a sportier "R" variant with over 50% more thrust. Other options offered include GPS, autopilot, the use of cabin pressurization or a mask-based oxygen supply, and even an in-flight refueling probe.

The SOLO SURF received generally positive reviews. Outside of purpose-built aerobatic planes, it was one of the most maneuverable civilian sports aircraft of its time. The Skill Issue praised the machine's exceptional performance while still maintaining "an ease of handling suitable for sightseeing." However, criticism was directed at its impracticality, noting the difficulty in obtaining jet fuel at seaplane ports, and getting in and out of the plane.

The SOLO SURF received numerous revisions and variants until production of the airframe ceased in 2065.