The UC-1 Twin Bee is a twin-engine five-seat conversion of the Republic RC-3 Seabee amphibian. The conversion was developed by Mr. Joseph W. Gigante of United Consultant Corporation 1959 -1965. His company later was known as STOL Aircraft Corporation of Norwood, Massachusetts. Prototype and conversions were built in the old hangars of Helio Aircraft at Norwood Airport, MA. In her original configuration, the prototype had two 180 hp Lycoming O-360-A1A engines, and made her first flight in 1960 with a Helio test pilot at controls. Later most test flights were made by test pilot Peter Annis. During development, engine model was changes to injection type, the cowlings were redesigned and the tail control surface areas were increased. After extensive flight tests for five years, the UC-1 Twin Bee was awarded the US FAR Aircraft Type Certificate No: A6EA on 25 June 1965. The first production aircraft was delivered one year later. Conversion is accomplished by replacing the Seabee's original 215 hp Franklin engine by two 180 hp Lycoming IO-360-B1D engines, driving 2-blade CS/feathering tractor propellers. | | N65NE
| 1989-09-15
| Re-registered.
| | | 1992-09-24 | 'Registration Pending', New York. | | | 1995-11-20
| Mr. James E. Schuster
506 E Pioneer Road
Fond Du Lac, WI 54935-6474
USA | | | 1995-05-11 | Mr. Jay L. Merten
Dallas, TX
USA
| | | 2002-03-12
| Mr. Hardy F. Lebel
140 High Street Apt. 201
Westerly, RI 02891-1800
USA | | | 2005-02-01
| E S P Aviation LLC
3511 Silverside Road STE 105
Wilmington, DE 19810-4902
USA |
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The original wing span is increased by 6 ft, to 43.33 ft, by adding a 3-foot wing-root extension on each side. The hull is stretched 3 ft by inserting a "plug" just aft of cabin, to counter-act shift of CG. Further the rudder/trim-tab area is increased according to the increased power. The fuel capacity is increased from 75 US gal to 101 US gal by the addition of a new 85 US gal main fuel tank above step and 16 US gal fuel tank in the tail boom. The instrument panel, and the seat tracks, are moved forward to allow a fifth seat in the original cargo area. To date 23 conversions have been completed, the last one in 1987.
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