A Volmer VJ-22 Sportsman seaplane, piloted by Bill Tabbert of St. Croix, USVI, landed on the north side of Gibraltar Island in the western basin of Lake Erie on Tuesday, 4 September 2018. Accompanied by his wife, Jill, Mr. Tabbert gently motored the home-built amphibious aircraft into the mooring field at Put-in-Bay. The couple lives in the U.S. Virgin Islands (+24 years); they “snow-bird” to Toledo. The Tabberts own and operate Lost Peninsula Marina in Erie, Michigan, during the summer months.
Construction of the Volmer VJ-22 Sportsman took nearly three years to complete. Said Bill, “We really enjoy using it for island hopping, and traveling to small inland lakes. My bride says we should use it for lobster bisque lunch more often! Click specific information about the aircraft for more details.
General characteristics — Data provided by Jane’s All The World’s Aircraft 1993-94
Crew: 2- Length: 24 ft 0 in (7.32 m)
- Wingspan: 36 ft 6 in (11.13 m)
- Height: 8 ft 0 in (2.44 m)
- Wing area: 175.0 sq ft (16.26 m2)
- Empty weight: 1,000 lb (454 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,500 lb (680 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 20 US Gallons (76 L)
- Powerplant: 1 × Continental C85 air-cooled flat-four, 90 hp (67 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 95 mph (153 km/h; 83 kn)
- Cruise speed: 85 mph (137 km/h; 74 kn)
- Stall speed: 45 mph (72 km/h; 39 kn)
- Range: 300 mi (261 nmi; 483 km) (max fuel, no reserves)
- Service ceiling: 13,000 ft (4,000 m)
- Rate of climb: 600 ft/min (3.0 m/s)