Avro 536

The Avro 536 was a British biplane seaplane built by the Avro Aircraft Company shortly after World War I. First flown in 1919, it was derived from the earlier Avro 504 and 514 designs, but fitted with a large central float and two outriggers for water operations. Powered typically by a 130‑hp Le Rhône rotary engine, the 536 could carry two passengers in an open cockpit behind the pilot, making it one of the earliest commercial air‑liners devoted to pleasure flights over coastal waters. Its wooden frame, fabric covering and simple control surfaces gave it a light weight and forgiving handling, while the float configuration allowed take‑offs and landings in calm seas and rivers. The aircraft saw service mainly with British pleasure‑flight companies such as the Lakes Flying School and the British Seaplane Company, providing sightseeing tours over the English Lake District and the coast of Sussex. Although only a handful were built, the Avro 536 demonstrated the commercial potential of amphibious aircraft and helped pave the way for later, more capable flying boats that dominated inter‑war passenger and mail transport.