The Volmer VJ-22 Sportsman is an American homebuilt amphibious aircraft. The Sportsman is a two-seat high-winged monoplane of wood and fabric construction, with over 100 built by 1993.
Volmer VJ-22 Sportsman
Volmer Sportsman at Airventure 2009
Volmer VJ-22 Sportsman takeoff
An amphibious aircraft or amphibian is an aircraft that can take off and land on both solid ground and water. They are typically fixed-wing, though amphibious helicopters do exist as well. Fixed-wing amphibious aircraft are seaplanes which are equipped with retractable wheels, at the expense of extra weight and complexity, plus diminished range and fuel economy compared to planes designed specifically for land-only or water-only operation. Some amphibians are fitted with reinforced keels which act as skis, allowing them to land on snow or ice with their wheels up.
A Canadair CL-415 amphibian with retractable wheels
Vickers Viking - an early amphibian.
replica of Osa's Ark - a Sikorsky S-38 used to explore Africa in the 1930s.
Italian Air Force Piaggio P.136 during takeoff retracting the wheels that make it an amphibian.