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A Seabird’s-Eye ViewThe Lycoming-Powered Seabird SB7L Seeker
Through several decades as an FBO in Queensland, Don Adams, founder and Chairman of Seabird Aviation Australia, observed that in typical operations many helicopter operators require the helicopter’s visibility and slow-flight characteristics but not a its vertical take-off and landing capability. He concluded that a slow flying, fixed wing airplane possessing the helicopter’s outstanding visibility could economically meet the needs of many helicopter operators. Along with his son, Peter, he designed and certified the Seabird SB7L-360, the Seeker, aimed at this segment of the market. The Adamses furnished us with the information in the following report on their Seabird Seeker. The Seeker’s outstanding visibility and range suit the aircraft to civilian, law-enforcement, and military missions, like pipeline/powerline or highway patrol, on-station land and marine surveillance, search and rescue, and photography. General Arrangement
Design DetailsIn low level operations over rough terrain, engine reliability is a must, and the Lycoming O-360-B2C is Don Adam’s “Power of Choice” for the Seeker. The Seeker’s “wet-wing” holds 49 gallons of fuel, enough for six to seven hours, with reserves. Adams and his team chose a tail wheel landing gear to deal with unimproved fields. The wing is designed to provide climb performance as well as a comfortable ride in frequently turbulent minimum altitudes. Reliability and Safety
Choice of Lycoming Engine
Interior AccommodationsWith the Seeker’s fuel capacity for seven-plus hours of flight, Seabird provided a spacious 44-inch wide cabin and generous fore and aft seat positioning to provide comfortable crew accommodations. The observer’s seat slides aft 17 inches and the right hand control column is removable, providing plenty of shoulder and working room. Photographic or electronic equipment can be mounted through the floor ahead of the crew seat as well as in the baggage area behind the seats. Automated Powerline Inspection
Photographic/Surveillance PlatformThe location of the engine, whose mount is rigidly integrated into the wing center section structure, results in minimal vibration and an effective, steady photographic platform. The visibility is astonishing with the wide, open view unencumbered by wings, nacelle, propeller or landing gear. The extensive transparencies enclosing the Seeker’s crew facilitate acquiring and following a subject of interest. If the many square feet of transparent enclosure don’t satisfy photographic requirements, the Seeker is certified to be flown with both its windows and doors removed. The working view is never on the ‘wrong side.’ A Proven Performer
The Seabird Seeker offers reliability, value, innovation, and performance, and their Power of Choice is Lycoming.
Seabird Aviation America (SAAM) was recently organized to manufacture the Seabird SB7L, Seeker, in New Mexico. The design and history of this aircraft is rooted in Australia but it is certified under Federal Aviation Administration Part 23 Regulations in the US as well as in several other countries. SAAM owns rights for manufacturing and marketing the Seeker in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Seabird, visit Seabird Aviation America www.seabirdaviation.com and Seabird Aviation Australia www.seabirdaviation.com.au
*Technical data is subject to change. |
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The Seeker’s pusher engine allows an unobstructed panoramic view. After initial designs were aerodynamically tested in the Sydney University wind tunnel and verified with a series of prototype aircraft, Adams’ team chose a pod and boom configuration to maximize the advantages and to overcome the generic design challenges of the pusher. The specialists on the Seeker’s detail design include Bill Whitney for structural work, Dafydd Llewellyn for overall aerodynamics and certification, and R.J. Reilly for engine cooling details.
Low altitude patrol operations drove the selection of a reliable Lycoming O-360-B2C engine and a robust structural design. The Seeker uses a sturdy, welded tubular structure of 4130 steel encased in a molded aerodynamic shell. Seabird Aviation considers the added weight of this “safety cell” a small price to pay for extra crew protection.
The ultimate safety of any single engine aircraft rests with the choice of power plant. With nearly 60 years of flying experience and decades of maintaining engines in the FBO business, Adams chose the reliable and versatile Lycoming O-360-B2C.
The Seeker can also be fitted with an optional FLIR (Forward Looking InfraRed) package that almost completely automates powerline inspection. The FLIR detector is integrated with a GPS (Global Positioning System) and an on-board computer. Upon detecting an anomaly, computer software notes the geographical location and, once on the ground, a printed inspection report along with the precise location of the failure is quickly turned over to repair crews. Seekers flying pipeline and surveillance patrol in Iraq have FLIR equipment directly linked to a network for immediate dispatch of ground-based assets to trouble spots.
Seabird designed the SB7L-360 Seeker to give the operator a total package for tasks that require reliability, endurance, minimal servicing, maximum crew comfort, and economical operating cost. In addition to stability and comfort, Seeker’s low vibration levels provide another important advantage: the aircraft’s structure has a long fatigue life. Two Seekers doing surveillance duty in Iraq have performed flawlessly over the past two years with only minimal field servicing while accumulating more than 4,000 hours of day and night operation in harsh environmental conditions from unimproved fields, roads and highways.| Engines | Parts | How to Buy | Support | News and Events | Company | Merchandise Privacy | Terms & Conditions | Legal | Employee Emergency Information |