A conventional seaplane is nothing more than a Cessna outfitted with floats. Exposed to seawater, metal seaplanes corrode quickly and require constant maintenance in order to keep them airworthy. The hull of the speedboat-looking Dornier Seastar, meanwhile, is made entirely of corrosionproof composite material.
For terrestrial destinations, the landing gear lowers from the hull. The wide boat hull keeps the craft stable on the water, as does the in-line arrangement of the twin turboprop engines positioned directly over the cabin. The push-pull action of the two propellers can see the Seastar take off – with up to 12 passengers – after just 684 metres and reach a maximum air speed of 180 knots (207 miles per hour). Short takeoffs and landings are aided by two sets of curved sponsons – side projections that add stability to a vessel’s hull – located near the middle of the Seastar.