Mission-
I am wanting to start a one-pilot / one-aircraft 135 operation in the PNW. Primary business - seaplane tours. Most of which would be about a 80nm to 100nm round trip. I suspect my "average" clientele would be a family group of 4, one of which might be a child. Supporting trips - deals with certain lodges on lakes in the Cascades...shuttle passengers to/from my metro area; aerial photography; SES instruction / ratings; cremation / remains scattering; scouting; on-demand air taxi to adjacent metro area. Besides the business, this would also be my personal aircraft. It has to be something I like. Would like to do one long XC a year...perhaps Oshkosh one year, a trip down to the Bahamas the next year, and so on.

I suspect I need a minimum of 900lbs of useful load to complete my missions.
Due to no seaplane bases with services (fuel & mx) where I live, I think I am forced to consider an amphibious aircraft. (Can you imagine having to grass-land and trailer-launch each time you have a minor squak to fix? It could be a weekly event, and that would eat up floats quickly).

Budget - I have not won the lottery yet, so it has to be reasonable. Would like to stay in the low $100s.

Maule- I have a thing for Maules, but put them on amphibs, and the useful load is abysmal.
Cessna 180/185 - Better useful load situation, but I don't think I can get 900lbs - 1000lbs out of one.
Beaver - My dream airplane. The cheapest ones I see online at the moment are $220k. Not sure what I get for that price. Not sure I can keep up with the maintenance as a start-up company during my first season.
Cessna 206 - I need useful load data on these. For some reason, they don't excite me.

What's my solution?

Thanks for your input!

I've seen 185 amphibians advertised for sale that claimed useful loads in the 900 - 1000 lb. range. They tend to be priced in the mid to high 100s, so you might stumble on to one in the low 100s.

Also, if you get a 180 or 185, you can increase the takeoff weight with WingX wing extensions.

Here is one for ya! Amphib too! Portland, Ore C-180C on floats for 95K
http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?ID=518442

lownslow79 wrote:Here is one for ya! Amphib too! Portland, Ore C-180C on floats for 95K
http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?ID=518442

I am interested in that one, however, the owner won't respond to my emails...I asked him what his useful load is.

you will like the room of a 206 but on amphibs there heavy still your best bet though.

I suppose I'll have to look at 206s more closely.

If anyone spots a 180 / 185 amphib with high useful load, please let me know