The Allplane Podcast #97 - electric seaplanes with Jekta founder, George Alafinov
The seaplane industry could not remain off trend.
Electrification is driving a wave of innovation in aviation and George Alafinov, the scion of a family of seaplane designers, is making sure it does not skip one of the oldest branches of the industry.
True, seaplanes may have fallen out of fashion in the post-war years. The advent of the jet era, the availability of airports on land and the maintenance requirements of aircraft operating in salty water led to this category of aircraft being sidelined. But Jekta’s founder is taking a new approach, using composites and electric propulsion to create the seaplane of the future.
In this episode of the podcast we discuss the pros and cons of seaplanes with George Alafinov and we talk also about the large order Jekta recently secured in India, where regional aviation is on the rise.
Tune in to learn how Jekta is pioneering technologies that could lead to a seaplane renaissance at a time when the industry is looking for versatile, clean and efficient aircraft for regional air transport!
Btw, we mention EBACE towards the end of our conversation, since this conversation was recorded in May 2023, just ahead of this executive aviation air show, but I decided to leave it as it is, since what we say is equally valid for the show’s next edition.
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Things we talk about in this episode
George background in the seaplane industry
What is Jekta and what sort of seaplane is it designing
The difference between a seaplane and an amphibious aircraft
Why seaplanes are a niche segment within the aviation industry
What are the innovative technologies that Jekta is planning to use
Why an electric seaplane can be a game changer?
Resources
Swiss Aeropôle in Payerne, Vaud, where Jekta is based
Announcement of the 50 PHA-ZE 100 aircraft order from India
Podcast episodes that George refers to:
With André Borschberg, founder of Swiss electric flight startup H55
With Mikhail Kokorich, founder of hypersonic flight startup Destinus, also based at Swiss Aeropôle
Eviation’s chairman and CEO, Greg Davis
Other podcasts episodes we refer to:
Podcast with Pipistrel’s founder, Ivo Boscarol
With electric flight evangelist, Morell Westermann
The podcast episode with Fly Tropic’s Rob Ceravolo, a Florida-based seaplane operator, that explains the maintenance requirements of seaplanes
Darrell Swanson, advanced air mobility expert mentioned by George
Podcast Music: Five Armies by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3762-five-armies
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Interview Transcript:
(please note that, although we strive to make it as close as possible to the original recording, the transcript may not be 100% accurate)