Lake Aircraft La-4-200

Single Piston

The Lake LA-4-200 Buccaneer is an American four-seat amphibious aircraft that represents one of the most successful light amphibian designs in general aviation history. Built by Lake Aircraft (originally Colonial Aircraft, later Revomaster and Armada), the LA-4 series first flew in 1959 and remained in production through multiple ownership changes into the 2000s, with over 1,300 examples delivered. The Buccaneer's distinctive pusher configuration—with its single Lycoming IO-360 engine mounted above the wing on a pylon—keeps the propeller clear of water spray during takeoff and landing, a critical design feature that gives it excellent amphibious performance compared to tractor-configuration seaplanes. The LA-4-200 variant introduced a 200-horsepower engine upgrade from the earlier 180-hp LA-4, providing improved climb performance and useful load while maintaining the type's reputation for docile handling both on water and land. With retractable landing gear, the Buccaneer operates equally well from conventional runways, grass strips, lakes, rivers, and coastal waters, making it a favorite among bush pilots, island-hoppers, and recreational flyers in waterfront communities. Its relatively modest cruise speed of around 120 knots and 500-nautical-mile range reflect its mission as a versatile short-haul transport rather than a cross-country speedster, but the ability to land almost anywhere with water or a 2,000-foot runway gives it access to destinations unreachable by conventional aircraft. The type remains popular in the used market, particularly in Alaska, the Great Lakes region, the Caribbean, and coastal areas where amphibious capability commands a premium. While production has been sporadic in recent decades, the design's simplicity and proven reliability have kept many Buccaneers flying well into their fifth and sixth decades. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.