One of our erstwhile members has been a bad influence on me. I started looking for another Husky...next thing i know, he's got me hooked on the thought of one on amphibs....(yeah, G44, I'm talking about YOU).


So, some questions. I've had a floatplane rating for years, have taught some in Super cubs, flew 185 on amphibs, Husky on amphibs.


Just have never *owned* one....

So...
-how hard/how long does it take to switch from floats to wheels? Part of the time I want to be on wheels (think Utah, NV, ID).
-How much equipment does it take?
-how outrageous is insurance?


thanks....

A couple of variables: PeeKay installed their hydraulics entirely in the float, pump, all hydraulics, etc. so only connection between airplane is usual bolts, etc and some wires. Also, that 15 to 18 pounds of pump, etc stays with floats when plane goes on wheels.

Wiplinger floats requires the 18 pound hydraulic pack be installed in the airframe. This moves CGR aft which is not a bad thing on amphibs, but it can live back there on wheels too....

On a Top Cub, we rigged the hydraulic pack with quick disconnects, so we could remove the hydraulics when plane went to wheels. A little more monkey motion, but not bad, and getting rid of that 18 pounds back aft was nice.

As far as gear change, it shouldn’t take more than six hours, or a bit more the first few times. I always figured four hours for a straight float change, so a couple more hours should do it. Again, the first few in one shop may take a bit longer.

The Husky is an awesome seaplane, hands down.

MTV

Glad I could help Southern Boy! Now, get that Husky on floats and move up north where you can really enjoy it!

Let me tell you about ski flying.....


Kurt

"make the bad man stop!"


My retirement account doesn't like you.......


But it sure is fun!

For my 182 on Aerocets, my A&P and I allow a full day in the fall to go to wheels, and a full day plus some finish up the next morning in the spring to go back on floats. That is if you have everything you need and have it organized.

The reduction in insurance cost helps pay the A&P's time.

Pierre

OK, my last statement may be confusing. The reduction in insurance cost was from being on amphib floats full time to going on wheels part of the year. A wheel 182 is cheap to insure while an amphib 182 is high, so I got an "averaged" annual rate. I don't have to report when I swap and they don't seem to care.

Pierre