Trident Aircraft Trident

Single Piston

The Trident is a distinctive amphibious light-sport aircraft manufactured by Trident Aircraft Company in Kansas, designed to bridge the gap between affordable recreational flying and genuine amphibious capability. First introduced in the mid-2000s as a factory-built LSA, the Trident features a high-wing configuration with sponsons integrated into the fuselage sides for water stability, retractable landing gear for land operations, and a pusher-mounted piston engine that keeps the propeller clear of spray during water operations. Its composite construction keeps the empty weight low enough to meet LSA restrictions while providing a useful load adequate for two occupants and modest baggage. What sets the Trident apart in the LSA market is its true amphibious versatility at a price point well below traditional amphibians like the Icon A5 or legacy designs like the Lake Buccaneer. The aircraft can operate from grass strips, paved runways, lakes, rivers, and coastal waters, making it particularly popular with pilots in regions like Alaska, the Great Lakes, and the Pacific Northwest where water access opens up backcountry destinations unreachable by land. The sponson design provides inherent stability on the water without the drag penalty of traditional floats, and the retractable gear allows respectable cruise performance for an amphibian—around 100 knots—while maintaining docile slow-flight characteristics with a power-off stall speed below 40 knots. The Trident's operating envelope reflects its LSA certification: a never-exceed speed of 140 knots and a maximum structural cruising speed of 120 knots keep it well within the sport pilot category, while approach speeds around 55 knots make it forgiving for pilots transitioning to amphibious operations. With a maximum takeoff weight of 1,430 pounds, it sits at the upper end of the LSA weight limit, maximizing payload capability within regulatory constraints.