• Introduction
• Structures
• Propulsion
• Aerodynamics
• Hydrodynamics
• Performance
• Stability & Control
• Ergonomics
• Systems
• Manufacturing
• Maintenance
• Cost
• Model

• Appendices 

• Main Page

The Advanced General Aviation Transport Experiments, AGATE, consortium challenges designers to transcend established paradigms and look to the future.  The VenTure, Figure 1, oversteps the boundaries of traditional general aviation aircraft by encompassing the needs and desires of a wider range of aviation consumers.  The world-wide demand for efficient transportation is satisfied by an amphibian, naturally and easily reaching all communities.  The VenTure, the sport utility vehicle of the air, revitalizes communities and their production industries by incorporating exciting new design technologies and efficient manufacturing processes. 

The VenTure is a single engine, propeller driven, fixed-wing amphibious aircraft.  A powerful and light Aero-Diesel engine propels the pilot and three passengers through a range of 2400 miles to a maximum speed of 185 knots.  The challenges of the weather are met while retaining harmony with the environment.  With a simple and effective deicing system, integrated into a fully composite design, the VenTure is energy efficient with engine emissions reaching new lows.  Performance meets and exceeds that for comparable land-based aircraft. 

Pilot and passengers board the VenTure through forward swinging doors located on both sides of the fuselage.  Easy access to the forward and rear seats is complemented by an attached four point inertia reel restraint system adding mobility and safety to the pilot and co-pilot seats.  The energy absorbing, crashworthy seat frames are fitted with conforming foam cushions for passenger comfort.  Luggage for long and short trips can be stowed in the 14.2 cubic foot baggage compartment behind the rear seats, an area that can also store the anchor and mooring lines for water docking. 

The VenTure can land on water and taxi onto land, or land on standard runways, through the use of a hydraulic retraction landing gear system.  The lower portion of the fuselage is a planing hull with a transverse step for water take off and landing.  Sponsons, which also house the main landing gear, provide waterborne lateral stability for the aircraft and a platform for ingress and egress.  A retractable water rudder is used to provide waterborne maneuverability.  Rudder pedals link the water rudder, nose wheel, or the aircraft rudder into a single, switch activated system.  The vertical and horizontal tail form a cruciform configuration.  The high-mounted wing, cruciform horizontal tail and engine thrust line parallel the plane’s water line.  Standard instrumentation is included with the aircraft but an advanced CRT based system is optional.  The advanced cockpit maximizes the pilot’s use of the VenTure’s high performance capabilities. 

The VenTure is powered by the 300 horsepower, air-cooled, Zoche Aero-Diesel ZO 02A rotary engine.  This powerful engine’s use of a variety of fuels, including diesel #2, JP4, JP5, JP8, and Jet-A, make possible worldwide operation with heightened environmental standards.  The engine drives a three blade, 70 inch diameter, variable pitch, composite propeller.  Variable pitch allows the VenTure to achieve maximum performance efficiency in all mission stages.