Seaplane Service

Source: TH

Context: The demonstration flight of Andhra Pradesh’s first seaplane service is all set to take off from Punnami Ghat, near the Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada, and land at a jetty in Srisailam in Nandyal district.

About Seaplane:

• What it is: A seaplane is a fixed-wing aircraft designed for takeoff and landing on water.

• Working principle: Utilizes buoyancy provided by water for takeoff and landing; incorporates propellers or jet engines for propulsion.

• Types: Flying boats: Feature a hull that floats on water and do not operate on land. Floatplanes: Equipped with pontoons (floats) attached beneath the fuselage.

• Flying boats: Feature a hull that floats on water and do not operate on land.

• Floatplanes: Equipped with pontoons (floats) attached beneath the fuselage.

About India’s Seaplane Project:

• Objective: Enhance regional air connectivity and promote tourism through water-based aviation under the RCS-UDAN scheme.

• India’s First Seaplane Project in India: Launched in Gujarat (2020) connecting Sabarmati Riverfront (Ahmedabad) to Statue of Unity (Kevadia).

• Launched in Gujarat (2020) connecting Sabarmati Riverfront (Ahmedabad) to Statue of Unity (Kevadia).

NOTE: High operating costs and difficulties in maintaining a foreign-registered aircraft led to the suspension of seaplane services in Gujarat since 2023.

• Proposed Seaplane Routes under UDAN: Gujarat: Shatrunjay Dam to Ambaji and Sabarmati Riverfront to Statue of Unity. Andhra Pradesh: Vijayawada (Prakasam Barrage) to Srisailam. Assam: Guwahati Riverfront to Umrangso Reservoir and Shillong. Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Jal Hans project connecting Agatti, Kavaratti, and Minicoy. Telangana: Nagarjuna Sagar to Vijayawada and Hyderabad.

• Gujarat: Shatrunjay Dam to Ambaji and Sabarmati Riverfront to Statue of Unity.

• Andhra Pradesh: Vijayawada (Prakasam Barrage) to Srisailam.

• Assam: Guwahati Riverfront to Umrangso Reservoir and Shillong.

• Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Jal Hans project connecting Agatti, Kavaratti, and Minicoy.

• Telangana: Nagarjuna Sagar to Vijayawada and Hyderabad.

Insta Links:

• Gujarat sea plane project