Flying speedboats available in Phl

By  Mar T. Supnad

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — Believe it or not but flying speedboats are now available in the Philippines after former National Security Council Adviser and Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson purchased one for the use of people in Ilocos Sur which has vast coastal areas being located along China sea.

“This flying boat will be used by the people of Ilocos Sur particularly in search and rescue operations during typhoons. They can also use it in campaign against illegal fishing,” said Singson whose two sons-Ryan and Ronald are incumbent governor and congressman of Ilocos Sur.

These flying speedboats can be easily utilized by the national and local governments against crime like smuggling and illegal fishing, since, aside from being affordable, it can be easily operated.

This after an Italian firm responded to a call from local officials to manufacture a flying boat that can be easily utilized also in search and rescue operations during calamities.

It can also be used in the campaign against illegal fishing along the coastal areas  and illegal logging in the mountains.

Tested in a dry-run flight Feb. 22  along Manila Bay last week, the flying boat called Ramphos amphibious, can carry three persons in flight and five in water, said Enos Gaiga and Giorgio Gentilini, inventors and owners of the Ramphos flying boat.

The flying boat can operate by non-expert pilots, provided they undergo at least a week of training , said Gaiga and Gentilini.

It can fly a distance of 300 miles or less than a little 500 kilometers and can take off from land and sea. “If you use the boat in running after lawless elements, you can have its engine switched off a few kilometers away from the target so it is noiseless,” said Gentilini, a former colonel in the Italian air force.

He said that it is also perfect for sightseeing, scuba dive tours, adventure, patrol, emergency rescue and yacht tender.

Fueled by diesel or petrol, It can run a speed of 28 kts. on water and operate in 10 centimeter deep water, mud and wild sand lagoon and can fly 30 meters above sea level.

Ramphos started manufacturing the sea vehicle in 1998, producing 145 units which are now flying in 27 countries, including America, Australia, Russia, Mexico, Scandinavia, China, Malaysia, and others.

According to Gentilini, thousands of flights have been made by their products since its existence “but so far no accidents occurred.”

It is safe to operate aside from being cheap, said the Italian inventor in an impromptu interview with this writer aboard the flying boat.

The Ramphos owners are now planning to put up their office and manufacturing plant in the country to help the national and local governments in rescue and campaign efforts and against lawless elements since these are affordable and can be easily operated.

He said they are ready to discuss further its mechanics with the military and other officials.