Air - Land - Sea - Snow

The MVP Model 3 – Engineering Mock-Up

Our mock-up of the MVP Model 3 has been invaluable to the project as it has served as a prototype to test and refine various features of the aircraft design.  Hover over the images below to learn more about some of the specific design features.

Fully Amphibious

Fully Amphibious

Comfort and Functionality

The cockpit is inches wider than any other amphibious LSA on the market. The sliding windows on either side support a safe egress from the airplane in an emergency. They can also be opened in flight to help with cockpit airflow.

Ergonomic Arm Rest

Specifically designed to facilitate comfort for the passenger while maintaining the accessibility to the throttle for the pilot.

Ergonomic Controls

Our yoke is designed to facilitate left or right handed control while minimizing disruption of the passenger's comfort from a moving yoke during the pilot's flight maneuvers.

Retractable Instrument Panel

The instrument pod retracts to help protect the flight instruments from watery activities but also to allow for easy movement around the deck.

Forward Deck + Pedestal Seat

The forward deck and catwalks on the MVP will allow for on the water applications that have never been seen before in an amphibious aircraft. What will you do with yours?

Superior Airflow

The engine cowl has been designed to maximize airflow to the cylinders as well as facilitate several engine options. We're currently geared towards the Rotax 900 series engines.

Powerful and Sleek Landing Lights

The MVP's powerful LED landing lights permit night flight for the qualified MVP pilot. And they look cool!

Putting more features (and weight) on an already challenging, weight-restricted airplane literally required a paradigm shift from traditional thinking. This different approach is the key to understanding just how we are going to achieve the goals set for the MVP. In the simplest of terms, the MVP is not an amphibious airplane that has all of these new features added to it. Instead, it is a highly integrated collection of features, pieces and parts that happen to become an airplane.

Once the old adage, “an airplane is 10,000 compromises flying in formation” had been fully abandoned, this new attitude began to reveal amazing opportunities, synergies, and relationships. Ultimately, the new features we wanted became completely intertwined with the parts that made up the airplane.  As a result, we feel very confident that the MVP can deliver this diverse feature-set while also delivering a respectable useful load.

Flanking both sides of the MVP are nose to tail catwalks that enable movement all over the MVP for on the water preflight of the engine, inspection of the tail and the wing’s aft mounted control surfaces. Or, one can simply access the aft fuselage to deploy and relax in a fitted hammock that stretches between the engine pylon and the tail

The MVP’s most compelling feature is that it transforms into a versatile floating platform. The canopy moves upwards and back on a 4-bar link to sit atop the engine pylon. This frees up the nose of the MVP to resemble the front of a classic bass-type fishing boat. With the canopy open, the MVP’s engine can be run so as to continue to shore or dock, or to motor along to the next cove or fishing spot. This configuration also enables a passenger to step up onto the forward deck to assist in docking and beaching duties. Excellent stability of the hull keeps the MVP relatively flat as both occupants move about. And to create the perfect fishing or observation perch, either seat can be repositioned onto a pedestal up on the forward deck.

The Instrument panel is a self-contained pod that pivots up and out of the way, not only to help protect it from dripping swim suits and flip flops, but also to provide a way to create a larger flat deck. Four hinged folding panels (called the origami deck) stow atop the forward deck under the canopy and are able to be deployed in two halves to fully cover the seats of the cockpit, enabling a completely flat floor from the bow to the back of the baggage compartment. This floor is level whether floating on the water, or parked on level ground.  This amazingly big surface on a relatively little airplane is just large enough for two people to stretch out and sleep.  Deploying a fitted tent and inflating a fitted air mattress makes spending the night a delight.

Traveling from marina to marina on a big adventure couldn’t be easier with the MVP’s on-the-water folding wings. Taxi up close and shut down the engine. Fold the wings, and propel the MVP towards the slip with use of an on-board trolling motor. Integrated within the bilge, is a useful bow thruster to help make docking a breeze.

With all these features, one might expect there to be compromises made to the flight and handling qualities of the MVP. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The MVP will prove to be a top performer and a joy to fly in its class. High-aspect ratio/high lift wings, excellent stability, crisp controls, comfortable seats and excellent visibility will all contribute to making the MVP a sheer joy to fly.