Say Yes to New Adventures

Discover the perfect blend of classic design and cutting-edge technology.

Learn More

We take OVERLAND to a new level

Learn about the design, development history, and technical specifications of the Gweduck, an innovative amphibious aircraft that combines classic design elements with cutting-edge materials and technology.

Specs
Specs
Specs
Specs
Engines
Lycoming IO-540M & LIO-540M, 300 HP Each
Engines (OPT)
Lycoming TIO-540 J2B & LTIO-540 J2B, 350 HP Each
TBO
2000 HRS
Propellers
MT, MTV9 3 BLADE-Reversible, Full Feathering
Seats
6
Wingspan (Floats)
48 FT (51 FT)
Wing Area
295 SQ FT
Wing Loading
20.3 LBS/SQ FT
Length
34.5 FT
Height
10 FT 9 IN
Baggage Weight
125 LBS
Standard Empty Weight
4000 LBS
Max Take-Off Weight
6300 LBS
Max Landing Weight
6000 LBS
Max Useful Load
2300 LBS
Fuel (OPT)
280 GAL (360 GAL)
Max Rate of Climb
900 to 1100/MIN
Rate of Climb, Single
Positive to 5,000MSL
Service Ceiling
18,000 FT
Stall Speed
55 KTS
Max Cruise Speed/Range
140 KTS/875NM
Max Range/Speed
1320 NM/120KTS
Range, 4 People
1000NM W/RESERVE
Takeoff Distance, Land
1500 FT
Takeoff Distance, Water
1600 FT
Landing Distance, Land
2000 FT
Landing Distance, Water
1800 FT
Passion into precision

Our History

In 1990, Ben Ellison and Ross Mahon, a young technician working for Ben, watched a Widgeon land at the Renton Airport near Seattle.

Read More
Original Design

With a contemporary twist, the Gweduck is styled along the lines of the original Grumman amphibious aircraft. These robust aircraft led the way to bring aviation into remote and unique parts of the country and the world. Combining decades of experience with a modern airfoil and hull design plus carbon fiber construction the Gweduck creates a superb aircraft for almost any location.

Innovation and Production

Now with over 1400 flying hours on the prototype airframe, the Gweduck has begun production as a kit-built aircraft! Our values of “engineering first” and always looking for improvement are a perfect fit for a custom-built aircraft. We strive to build a strong infrastructure that means we know exactly where each rib and bulkhead is installed and we can put it in the same place every time.

Cutting-Edge Materials

Composite construction excels in three key areas: Strength to Weight, Corrosion Free, and Excellent Formability. Carbon Fiber has high strength and Fiberglass is great for impact resistance. The Gweduck design uses these materials combined with toughened epoxy for over 90% of the airframe. The result is a game changing relationship compared to an all-aluminum aircraft that can be constantly battling the elements and in need of labor intensive, regular cleaning and maintenance.

PERFORMANCE IN THE WATER

Years of design and testing have led to a hull design that has excellent water characteristics. Design concepts learned from the Shin Meiwa flying boats add to an ability to control heavy spray, handle rough waters and provide stable control and predictable response. Reversible props add to maneuverability for beaching, docking and other water operations.

Latest

Gweduck Mentions

What others have said about the Gweduck

Blog title heading will go here

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros.

Blog title heading will go here

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros.

Blog title heading will go here

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros.

Blog title heading will go here

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros.

Blog title heading will go here

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros.

Blog title heading will go here

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros.

Nothing Small About It

Ben Ellison and Ross Mahon wanted a Widgeon. The Seattle pair have an Alaska habit and desired a capable, personal-sized amphibian good for the S

Water Flying - Not Your Father's Widgeon

"The fresh feel of something completely new and different...the comfortable feel of something old and familiar."

Sport Aviation - Big Homebuilt

The Gweduck (say “gooey duck” really fast) is a much-biggerthan-average homebuilt, twin-engine, six-place, 600-hp amphibian that lit the

Water Flying - This is a Big Deal

In a way, the Gweduck is the last project to benefit from the knowledge and experience of the big-seaplane engineers while they were still alive.

Water Flying - Burt Rutan Turns to Seaplanes

I found the Gweduck to be an easy and well-behaved airplane on wheels...

Water Flying - Coastal Alaska Daytripping

It’s not every day that you pass by Lituya Bay in a Gweduck, and it would be wrong not to stop and check it out...

FAQs

Find quick and accessible answers to common queries and concerns about the Gweduck amphibious aircraft.

Are there options I should consider?

Not too many.... We have tried to build in desirable features as standard. Customers may custom build their Gweduck with features that are meaningful to them. We offer extended fuel qty from 280 to 360 gallons. Utility Interior is standard. Executive and Overland Interior packages will be released later in 2024. We look forward to supporting additional customer ideas with our in-house design team.

Is the Gweduck IFR equipped?

Customers have the freedom to design a panel to their own specifications. We do have a recommended panel design that is an IFR panel. As we partner through our builder assist program, this is a recommendation to simplify design, manufacturing and support.

What should I expect for maintenance effort?

The clear advantage of an all-composite airframe is that composites will not corrode. This would be great for any aircraft and especially for a seaplane. Twin engines double the amount of maintenance effort inside the cowling compared to a single engine. Due to the high wing and the spray control of the hull, we have seen virtually no additional challenges in our maintenance history since first flying in 2009. The airframe is larger than the average small airplane which actually improves access and inspection clarity.

What is Single Engine performance like?

This depends largely on how loaded the aircraft is. Assuming the plane is at gross weight, the Gweduck can still have positive climb performance up to 2500 MSL. A more lightly loaded aircraft can still climb even over 8000 MSL on single engine.

What are the safety features in the Gweduck?

It is vital that safety stays a top priority. When this is built in to the company it is built in to the aircraft. General design focuses on safety beginning with stable hull design, low stall speed, carbon fiber strength and an airfoil designed for amphibious take-off and landings. Additional features include Inertial reel seatbelts for 6 places, airbag seatbelts for pilot and co-pilot, pilot training, dual bus electrical system, twin engine redundancy, redundant fuel supply and

Downloads

Promo Card
OshKosh Gweduck Updates

Still have questions?

Contact us for further assistance.
541.316.0606

"The Gweduck is an innovative aviation company specializing in the design and production of the Gweduck Amphibian Flying-boat, a modern, composite-construction amphibious aircraft inspired by the classic Grumman Widgeon. Their focus is on combining historical design elements with cutting-edge materials and technology to offer a unique, high-performance flying experience."

John Doe

Pilot, ABC Airlines

"The Gweduck is an innovative aviation company specializing in the design and production of the Gweduck Amphibian Flying-boat, a modern, composite-construction amphibious aircraft inspired by the classic Grumman Widgeon. Their focus is on combining historical design elements with cutting-edge materials and technology to offer a unique, high-performance flying experience."

John Doe

Pilot, ABC Airlines

Seaplanes offer an outback flying adventure like no other. That's real. I've flown my first small seaplane into beautiful places that are hard to reach any other way, and even if you could get there by car, it provides a unique experience unmatched by ground transportation. But that dream often comes with a catch: actually, more than one—enter the Gweduck. To an extent that's hard to believe is possible, the Gweduck mitigates these limitations, and brings the adventure back to life.

Tom McReynolds

Pilot

,

Owner

True aviation adventure is finding a perfect beach or cove, landing and exploring without the fear of salt water corrosion. Is anyone with a fiberglass/composite boat afraid to leave their boat in the ocean for years at a time? The answer is no. Composite airframes give a pilot freedom and peace of mind in and around salt and fresh water. That is why Penny and I wanted a composite amphibious aircraft. More time exploring, less time on maintenance and that’s setting aside all the other design advantages the Gweduck offers.

Lonnie

Pilot

,

Owner

There’s no question this is a remarkable airplane which improves on the many lessons learned since WWII regarding amphibious airplanes. The improvement in materials alone is hugely significant; the addition of reversing propellers is an enormous improvement in both water and land handling. I can now say with full confidence after flying the prototype airplane the airplane will meet customer expectation for this class of airplane. As my co-builder said, "This flies like my Stinson". (For those of you who've never flown a Stinson, they are an airplane with excellent handling qualities) After multiple visits to the building facility in Prineville OR, I will say emphatically the materials vacuum infusion construction is world class, as is the design and construction team, parts production, quality control and post construction materials testing. The team's previous experience is evident and particularly well suited to this project.

Penny Nixon

Test-Pilot

,

Get the Latest Updates

Contact us for more information or to schedule a demo

By clicking Submit you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Get the Latest Updates

Contact us for more information or to schedule a demo

By clicking Submit you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Get Started

For more information on the Gweduck please fill out the information below.

Builder/Owner Questionnaire

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.