AMPHIBIOUS FLOATS: the Best of Both Worlds?

The Aerocomp News Spring 2000 AMPHIBIOUS FLOATS: The Best of Both Worlds?

resh trout frying over an open fire as 2) Higher Risk gear. If this is the case, the gear will then Fwary deer linger in nearby woods, The most common accident during be more likely to fail during poorly ...it’s a vision that compels many pilots amphibious airplane operations is land- executed crosswind landings. And poorly to consider float-flying. And there’s no ing in the water with the wheels ex- executed crosswind landings are more doubt: flying a floatplane IS FUN! tended. This is often fatal. With most am- likely with a floatplane, because the phibious designs, the airplane will cap- floats on an airplane reduce its roll re- Floats offer pilots tremendous freedom, size instantly when it is landed in the sponsiveness, making it more difficult to excitement, and access to remote places. water with the wheels extended. Pilots land in a crosswind. (The floats act like Whether flying from lakes or rivers, always think, “I won’t let it happen to a pendulum underneath the airplane). when a pilot docks, beaches, moors, or me,” ...but it keeps happening anyway. The high center of gravity of a floatplane ramps his airplane at the end of a day’s On at least two occasions, airplanes fit- also increases its susceptibility to ground flying, he’s enjoyed a world that is very ted with Aerocomp’s SuperFloats have mishaps in windy conditions. different from the world experienced by been inadvertently landed in the water landplane pilots. “wheels-down”. On both occasions, the 6) Shock-absorbing Capabilities airplanes stayed upright, and didn’t sink Many amphibious designs do not incor- Although float flying is very different in or capsize. In fact, damage was minimal. porate shocks or springs into the system. Florida than it is in Minnesota, Seattle, They could have capsized, however, and Even if some kind of shock or spring is Maine, Canada, or Alaska, we’ve always most likely would have if they had been present, it usually does not offer as much enjoyed installing floats on our configured in a “nosewheel” instead of shock-absorbing capability as airplanes. a “tailwheel” configuration. conventional landplane gear. Hard landings must be avoided with amphibious Many people mistakenly think that 3) High Maintenance designs. Wheels and tires on amphibi- “amphibious” capability (i.e. retractable Soaking brakes and wheel bearings in ous designs are also typically smaller wheels for land operations) offers the water does not improve their reliability. than those commonly used on “best of both worlds”. We’ve noticed that Retractable wheels typically need “gear landplanes. If this is the case, the smaller pilots who install retractable wheels in doors” that open and close over the wheel wheels and tires offer less shock absorb- their floats for that reason are usually wells. Moving parts need regular lubri- ing, and are also more susceptible to disappointed with the results. Instead, we cation and maintenance, and are at risk problems with wheel bearings, brakes, recommend that people who want to of malfunctioning. It is not uncommon tire wear, etc. enjoy the fantastic world of float flying for weeds or other flotsam to jam mov- should give up land-based operations, ing parts. In summary, we feel that a pilot who and become “real” float pilots (straight installs retractable wheels on a water- floats). This can be done permanently, 4) Difficulty Handling on Land borne aircraft, in an effort to gain or on a seasonal basis, with changeover Installing retractable wheels on a water- “amphibious” capability, must accept to landplane configuration taking less borne aircraft does NOT turn the air- that doing so increases the risk of an ac- than a day. plane into a well-behaved landplane. cident occurring. While he may gain the Any tendency to depend on the brakes ability to land and takeoff from runways Here are a number of issues that need to will likely lead to an accident eventu- with his seaplane, doing so will be more be addressed by a pilot wanting to in- ally, because brakes that are regularly difficult and risky than it is with a con- stall retractable wheels in a water-borne immersed in water will probably fail ventional landplane. airplane (float-equipped or flying-hull some day. When that happens, not only design): will the airplane be difficult to stop, it Yes - Aerocomp, Inc. offers “retractable will also be difficult to steer, and as a wheel” packages for our smaller float 1) Increased Difficulty and Expense result may leave the runway and end up packages. But we do so reluctantly, and Obtaining Insurance as a pile of scraps on the side. The brakes we only sell them to select individuals The insurance companies have noticed on amphibious designs are often mar- whom we are convinced fully understand that seaplanes with retractable wheels ginal, at best. and accept these compromises. Instead, statistically show an increased number we recommend that pilots consider of accidents and fatalities. As a result, 5) Poor Crosswind Capability seasonal changeovers, if needed, from insurance on amphibious aircraft tends Retractable “amphibious” landing gear straight floats to wheels. It’s a simple to be more expensive (if it’s available at often will not be able to withstand as process, and can easily be accomplished all). much side loading as conventional land in less than a day. ©2000 AEROCOMP, INC. http://AEROCOMPinc.com SPRING/SUMMER 2000 See Aerocomp’s Amazing Airplanes in Action — New Video Footage Now Available —

otor/Wing Sports TV (of Macon, GA) The first show (#11 in the series) The second show (#12 in the series) R invested several days last fall consists of a tour of the Skybuild features some great air-to-air video filming at Aerocomp, Inc.’s Merritt Builders Center facilities, and interviews footage of the Comp Air 6, Comp Air 7, Island, Florida facilities. Host Dan with Comp Air builders and with Comp Air 8, and Comp Air 10 flying over Leslie and his crew of professional film- Skybuild’s president, Mr. Steve Darrow. Florida’s popular Cocoa Beach (a few makers put together a couple 1/2-hour The show focuses on Skybuild’s unique miles south of Kennedy Space Center and television shows featuring both educational program for Comp Air kit Cape Canaveral). Numerous takeoffs and Aerocomp, Inc. and the Skybuild Build- builders, shows aircraft under various landings, high speed passes, slow flight, ers Assistance Center. Aerocomp, Inc. stages of construction, and describes how climbs, descents, and cruise flight are manufactures the Comp Air family of Skybuild can enable a builder to shown. The 1/2 hour show provides a kit-built airplanes and Skybuild is a complete the major structural fiberglass lot of details about these airplanes, builder assistance center dedicated to portion of his project in only 12 to 20 including interior close-ups, startup and helping Comp Air owners complete their days. Skybuild’s program helps speed taxiing scenes, ground handling, airplanes in a safe and timely manner. along the initial assembly of the wings, interviews with company personnel and fuselage, landing gear, empennage, and builder/pilot interviews. Excerpts from The 1/2 hour TV segments are part of control surfaces, and helps to ensure that these professionally produced TV shows Rotor/Wing Sports TV’s aviation series, primary structural components are have now been included in Aerocomp’s broadcast weekly in the US on the correctly assembled. $25 literature and video “Information Outdoor Channel. Package” (order below). “The only way to learn more about these airplanes is to visit the factory and fly one.” Demo flights and factory tours are available most weekdays (during normal business hours) at Aerocomp, Inc.’s Merritt Island, Florida airport facilities. Visitors are welcome.

Order Your Aerocomp, Inc. Video and Literature Package Today ... only $25 (U.S. orders)

Clip and Mail to: $25 Aerocomp, Inc. - 2335 Newfound Harbor Dr. - Merritt Island, FL 32952 USA Telephone or Fax: 1-321-453-6641 | http://AEROCOMPinc.com

o YES, please send me the Aerocomp, Inc. Video and Literature Package. I’ve enclosed $25 US to help cover costs (foreign orders please add $15 overseas shipping). -- VISA, Mastercard, US Check, or US Money Order -- (Please Circle One)

VISA or Mastercard Account Number Expiry Date

NAME: ADDRESS: CITY and STATE/PROVINCE: ZIP or POSTAL CODE: COUNTRY: