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2023 Super Petrel XP
- January 11, 2023
Super Petrel XP Aircraft for Sale — Buy or Sell High-Performance Amphibious Sport Aircraft Worldwide
The Super Petrel XP represents the evolved, higher-performance variant of the iconic Super Petrel amphibious biplane family from Edra Aeronáutica of Brazil, delivering enhanced speed, payload, and avionics capability over the standard LS model while retaining the same fundamental appeal that has made the Super Petrel one of the most beloved amphibious sport aircraft in the world. The XP designation signifies a genuinely upgraded platform: a more powerful engine installation, increased gross weight allowance, and updated cockpit equipment that makes the aircraft suitable for longer cross-country flights as well as the water-based leisure flying that defines the Super Petrel experience.
Like the LS, the Super Petrel XP features the classic biplane flying boat configuration with tandem open cockpits and a retractable undercarriage for amphibious operation. The aircraft can take off and land from paved runways, grass strips, and calm water surfaces with equal facility, giving its owners access to an extraordinary range of destinations that no conventional wheeled aircraft can reach. Whether departing from a grass airfield, setting down on a mountain lake, or splashing down in a coastal bay, the Super Petrel XP turns every flight into an adventure that conventional aircraft cannot match.
XP Upgrades Over the Standard LS
The Super Petrel XP builds on the proven LS airframe with a series of meaningful enhancements aimed at pilots who want greater capability from their amphibious aircraft. The most significant upgrade is typically the engine installation, with the XP often fitted with the Rotax 912 iS or similar fuel-injected powerplant delivering improved fuel economy, better cold-weather starting, and reduced maintenance intervals compared to the carbureted 912 ULS. The XP also typically features an upgraded cockpit with a glass panel instrument suite, enabling IFR-capable navigation even from open cockpits equipped with modern digital avionics.
Key Features and Performance
- Enhanced powerplant — typically Rotax 912 iS or equivalent fuel-injected engine delivering 100 hp with improved reliability and fuel efficiency
- Higher cruise speed — XP variants typically cruise at 90–100 knots, a meaningful improvement over the standard LS for cross-country touring
- Amphibious undercarriage — retractable main wheels allow smooth transitions between runway and water operations with a simple pilot-operated system
- Modern avionics — glass cockpit instruments replace the traditional analogue gauges of the standard LS, adding navigation and situational awareness capability
- Composite and fabric construction — durable fibreglass hull resists water corrosion; fabric-covered biplane wings maintain the classic aesthetic
- Tandem two-seat layout — dual controls in both cockpits support training operations and shared flying experiences
- Excellent slow-speed handling — low stall speed and gentle handling characteristics make water operations safe and accessible for properly trained pilots
Operating the Super Petrel XP from Water
Water operations in the Super Petrel XP require a seaplane rating in most jurisdictions, and the aircraft repays the investment in training with an entirely new dimension of aviation. The XP's flying boat hull is designed to handle the stresses of water operations effectively, and the retractable water rudder gives precise directional control during water taxiing. Pilots who invest in seaplane training consistently report that water flying represents a profound expansion of what aviation means to them — the ability to land on a mirror-calm lake at sunset is an experience that transcends conventional flying entirely.
Who Buys the Super Petrel XP
The Super Petrel XP appeals to pilots who want more capability than the standard LS while retaining the distinctive character of the Super Petrel concept. Buyers are typically experienced sport pilots or private pilots who have already fallen in love with water flying and want a more capable touring aircraft, or who need the enhanced avionics of the XP for operations in more challenging airspace. The XP is also attractive to flight schools and seaplane operators who want a modern, well-equipped amphibian for their training and tour operations.
Browse Super Petrel XP Aircraft for Sale on Airplane Trade
Search our listings to find Super Petrel XP amphibious sport aircraft for sale from private owners, authorised dealers, and flight schools worldwide. Airplane Trade connects buyers with quality XP listings across North America, Europe, Latin America, and beyond, making it the ideal starting point for your Super Petrel XP acquisition.