11/9/2022 0 Comments Edo floats maintenance manual![]() ![]() The positives are many more places to land and an airplane that sits so high that the wings will usually be above all the other airplane wings on the ramp. The downside is a loss of useful load and steering using differential braking while taxiing (think of steering a grocery cart where the front wheels swivel and the rear wheels are fixed). If shore access is not available or convenient, it means amphibious floats and enough airplane to haul them. Keeping a fabric-covered airplane outdoors in a region that has a risk of hail and the other accouterments of thunderstorms is also a concern. Picture getting to the dock and seeing only the top of the wings, fuselage This becomes even more important if the airplane is to be based or flown in salt water as a fresh water hose-down following each days flying is essential to delay the onset of corrosion. We recommend that an owner of an airplane on straight floats find a way to get it out of the water when it is not being flown, as there is not a set of floats in the world that is completely watertight. Straight floats mean more useful load and lower operating costs by avoiding landing gear. Can the seaplane be based along a shoreline where fuel is available, and it can be docked or beached to be worked on? Is it possible to get a mechanic to the floatplane for those times when something breaks? If so, then an airplane on straight (non-amphibious) floats are an option. That inquiry is generally determined by the sort of water access that is available. The first decision a prospective buyer must make is not what airplane, but which type of floats. Floats are destabilizing in yaw and may require some vertical stabilizer modification. Float and airplane combinations must be certified by the FAA, usually through the Supplemental Type Certification process. The floats also have rigging that allows them to be aligned appropriately in all three dimensions. The airplane has to have either been built or modified to accept floats, which means attach points at or near the landing gear attach points and any needed beefup of the airframe to handle the pounding transferred to it as the float structure does not include shock absorbers. #Edo floats maintenance manual seriesWith the exception of the Colonial Skimmer (which begat the Lake Amphibian series and are quite rare), all of our fun birds are floatplanes.įloatplanes nearly always use two floats separated by spreader bars and attached to the fuselage by struts. Floatplanes may or may not be amphibious. Flying boats are usually amphibious, being able to alight on land or water. It includes floatplanes, which are airplanes that are supported above the water by a float or floats, and flying boats, where the fuselage of the airplane functions as a boat hull with sponsons, usually on the wings, keep it from tipping over when in the water. More Options on FloatsĪ seaplane has come to be a generic name for any kind of airplane that can land on the water and then take off. ![]() The 145-HP Aeronca Sedan and 150- to 180-HP Piper Super Cubs and 180-HP Huskies are often serious, working seaplanes hauling cargo and people on a day-to-day basis. We opine that fun seaplanes have but one engine that develops less than 200 HP, but we recognize that such a cutoff is arbitrary. The airplane is not going to work for a living, need to haul a lot of stuff, travel great distances or handle particularly rough water or weather. The aeronautical version of the sailors “gunkholing.” What constitutes a fun seaplane? We consider fun seaplanes as ones where the idea is to fly purely for pleasure in which the owner wants to knock around the sky and explore the waterways that are suitable and legal for seaplanes to alight to take at least one passenger and enough stuff for a picnic or to go fishing or maybe stay overnight at a remote cabin or campsite on the shore. Its forums contain a wealth of information on specifics of seaplane ownership and operation. Its an excellent organization for those who want to have anything to do with seaplanes. ![]() We strongly suggest that the first step in such a process is to join the Seaplane Pilots Association. With the hook firmly set, lets look at what the truly smitten goes through in determining how much fun he or she can afford and what kind of seaplane to buy. ![]() Why didnt I do it sooner?” The second is often, “I want one of these things.” According to seaplane instructors, the most commonly uttered phrase by a landplane pilot following the first seaplane lesson is: “My Gawd, this is fun. ![]()
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