Is it a boat? Is it a plane? No, it’s supervan!
Talk to any aviation enthusiast and they’ll probably agree that although the Cessna 208 Caravan has been around for decades, it remains one of the most extraordinary incarnations of aviation ‘art’. Put some floats on it and it transforms into the ultimate amphibian – a flying and floating superhero.
As demand grows for tourism experiences that are out of the ordinary and off the beaten track, versatile amphibious aircraft like the Cessna Caravan have become highly sought-after.
They can land on either land or water, are capable of exploring further into watery territory than just about any other mode of transport and give everyone who climbs aboard – not just aviation enthusiasts – a most exhilarating, life-changing experience.
The Caravan also has a reputation as the world’s most comfortable seaplane and its spacious interior, high-wing design and expansive windows allow superb visibility – an essential when you’re flying at low level and looking down on some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes.
It all started back in 1911, when engineering enthusiast Clyde Vernon Cessna built his first monoplane out of sprucewood with a fabric lining.  ‘Silverwing’ was powered by an Elbridge four-cylinder motorboat motor with 40hp and after numerous failed attempts and constant redesigns, was eventually successfully piloted by Cessna on an 8km circular flight.
He went on to earn the distinction of being the first person to construct and fly an airplane between the Rocky Mountains and the Mississippi River and will be remembered for his extraordinary contributions to aviation which included founding one of the world’s most iconic aircraft manufacturing companies and pioneering the development of high-efficiency general aviation aircraft.  And all of this with a basic education, mainly self-taught skills and no pilot’s licence!
He was clearly a smart, talented, resourceful and driven man – and his personality and his talents shine through in every Cessna aircraft you see today.
The versatile single-engine turboprop Caravan 208 remains one of the company’s most successful and enduring designs, selling more than 2 000 models when it was launched n the early 1980s and becoming one of the most sold cargo and passenger planes worldwide.
Comfortable, powerful, reliable and versatile, the Caravan provides the ultimate in flexibility for anyone wanting to go the extra mile. Especially when it’s to explore some of the Australia’s most incredible watery wilderness areas which are off limits for conventional transport, even for boats.
Like Horizontal Falls for instance.
Horizontal Falls lie deep within Talbot Bay in the Buccaneer Archipelago in the remote Kimberley region of West Australia and if you go by boat, you’ll need 14 hours. But if you want to experience these mind-boggling sideways waterfalls for yourself, a one-hour seaplane flight from Broome is all it takes.
Award-winning tourism operator, Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures broke new ground (or rather, they made waves) when they introduced seaplane tours to this inaccessible natural phenomenon over 12 years ago. They’re still the first choice for Horizontal Falls tours and whether you’re an aviation fanatic, a thrill-seeking adventurer or curious explorer, a seaplane flight aboard one of their fleet of Cessna 208 turboprops with a spectacular watery landing will take your breath away.
Find out more at www.horizontalfallsadventures or give their friendly team a call on 08 9192 1172 to book your once-in-a-lifetime adventure.