Papagallo: Cousteau's Amphibious Aircraft
The Winged Parrot plane That Took cousteau's expeditions Skyward
With the ability to take off and land on both water and land, Papagallo—a Cessna TU206G Turbo Stationair affectionately named after the Spanish word for “parrot”—helped the Cousteau Society explore ecosystems that were inaccessible by sea or land alone. Outfitted with amphibious floats and advanced survey equipment, Papagallo the Cousteau amphibious aircraft served as a critical tool in marine research, wildlife conservation, and aerial cinematography.
From the Amazon rainforest to the icy poles, Papagallo extended the reach of the Cousteau team into remote environments, helping document fragile ecosystems and pressing environmental challenges from the air.
THE ROLE OF PAPAGALLO IN COUSTEAU'S EXPEDITIONS
Amphibious Access for Global Conservation
Papagallo was uniquely suited to support fieldwork in diverse environments. Its Wipline floats enabled it to land on isolated lakes, winding rivers, and shallow coastal waters—locations often impossible to reach by land or sea.
As a flying platform for aerial surveys, wildlife monitoring, and transport, Papagallo, the Cousteau amphibious aircraft, made science possible in the planet’s most hard-to-reach places.
Key Features & Contributions
Aerial Surveys & Wildlife Monitoring
Outfitted with filming gear for documenting habitats from above
Tracked whale migrations, deforestation trends, and coral reef changes
Enabled data collection across vast, ecologically sensitive areas
Amphibious Capabilities
Equipped with Wipline floats for both water and runway landings
Accessed remote waterways, island chains, and inland research sites
Provided flexibility in rapidly shifting field conditions
Transport & Logistics Support
Carried researchers and specialized scientific equipment
Enabled rapid deployment to conservation sites
Supported cross-environment missions from sea level to high elevations
Expedition Highlights Featuring Papagallo the Amphibious Aircraft
Amazon Expedition (1982–1983)
Conducted aerial scans of deforestation, waterway changes, and river dolphin populations
Provided logistic support for research teams working deep in flooded rainforest regions
Caribbean & South Pacific
Surveyed coral reef health and coastline erosion
Supported marine biodiversity studies across island ecosystems
Arctic & Antarctic Missions
Aided in documenting ice sheet dynamics and polar wildlife
Contributed to early observations of climate change impacts
Global Remote Access
Provided fast, reliable access to research sites via sky and water
Enabled Cousteau’s team to reach critical conservation areas in real time
Aircraft Specifications: Inside Papagallo’s Design & Range
Model: Cessna TU206G Turbo Stationair 6-II
Range: Approx. 850 miles
Speed & Capacity: Designed for medium-range flights with passengers and cargo
Amphibious Features: Equipped with Wipline floats for water and land operations
A Flying Force for Exploration
While Calypso explored the ocean’s surface and Jacaré conquered the swamps, Papagallo the Cousteau amphibious aircraft soared above it all—linking ecosystems, field teams, and insights from a skybound perspective.
Its adaptability, speed, and reach made it more than just a plane—it became a flying lifeline for Cousteau’s science and storytelling. From icebergs to atolls, Papagallo helped open new windows into the Earth’s most critical and beautiful places.
