Hello all.
new to the group, but have been reading all the posts over the past several months with great interest.
I am a low time 172 float pilot and was wondering why not many posts on what kind of performance the group is experiencing off the water.
I know it is all about wat, but that can be factored in.
What do you fly, and what size lake are you comfortable getting out of.
I typically fly at about 600ft elevation anywhere from 15 to 30 degrees.
4000 feet at gross 2300lbs, seems to be comfortable in the 172/180hp/Horton stol and tuned exhaust.
Any comments?

thanks

I'm not a float pilot...just a mechanic....but welcome to the group!!!
John

I'm not a float pilot or mechanic but welcome. Email me at [email protected] for my free e-book, "Safe Maneuvering Flight Techniques."

I'm not a float pilot, a mechanic, or an author, but welcome to the group anyways

I'm just a pilot and a mechanic. . Welcome to the group

I'm just a landplane pilot. Welcome.

Hueson wrote:Hello all.
new to the group, but have been reading all the posts over the past several months with great interest.
I am a low time 172 float pilot and was wondering why not many posts on what kind of performance the group is experiencing off the water.
I know it is all about wat, but that can be factored in.
What do you fly, and what size lake are you comfortable getting out of.
I typically fly at about 600ft elevation anywhere from 15 to 30 degrees.
4000 feet at gross 2300lbs, seems to be comfortable in the 172/180hp/Horton stol and tuned exhaust.
Any comments?

thanks

OK, I'll bite.
I fly a SuperCub with a "massaged" engine by Bart @ AeroSport (175 hp) with slightly modded wings on EDO 2000's.
Don't know (or know how to measure) the distance, but with full fuel & permanent baggage I get off calm water in 9 seconds.
Nimpo Lake is 3660' & most everything is uphill from here.
Not sure exactly what you're asking, or just some comparisons?

I fly a 1968 Skyhawk with a 150hp Lycoming and a long flat prop on EDO 2000's. The Skyhawk does good when it is light, I have timed it off the water in 14 seconds. When it is real heavy, that is a different story. I am based on a river this year with plenty of room to climb out, this is much appreciated on hot days or when loaded up with gear. Welcome to the group! -Levi

I am not a float pilot, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night

I am a new float pilot. Just put my 180hp 170B on EDO 2000's in my limited experience it performs very well at gross 2106 lbs. I've been in and out of a few 1500'-1600' lakes shortest was 1200'. That at 400' to 800' elevation 50 degrees and light wind. I'll have to have someone time me.

Paul

I'm not a float pilot, but welcome to the group!

Howdy! I wish I was a float pilot....

I'm also a low time float pilot, and located not too far from you, if that's Pickering, ON.

Welcome to the group! MTV is the resident float expert, he could tell you best what to expect from your setup.

I have seen planes in the lake where I am
Just trying to put the biggest margin of safety if I ever decide to dock in there
Looking right now at a Maule c5 235 or a c180
Both should perform better than what I am used to

Flying & landing on floats may not matter much, but for TAKEOFF you'll want a high lift wing. (NOT a Maul).
You can't pull a high angle of attack on floats because the float tails drag & slow you down.

I am an author but I'm not a float pilot... welcome to the forum.

You will find many very knowledgeable people here that have experience in a lot of different situations and aircraft types.

(NOT a Maul). Hmmm.
Could you qualify with numbers please.
Which models of Maule have you flown that you have experienced this phenomena. ;

I'm just a Lurker and part time poster these days. So welcome to this great site! So great, I keep coming back to see what's new and what my friends are up to.

maules.com wrote:(NOT a Maul). Hmmm.
Could you qualify with numbers please.
Which models of Maule have you flown that you have experienced this phenomena. ;

Surely don't mean to insult anyone, have no numbers, just observations.
Never flew one, just rode in 'em. Fine airplanes for many reasons.
My point was (is) that you need a high AOA to get some planes off the ground. On wheels it works, on floats NOT.
I maybe shouldn't have added that comment, but the guy was considering a Maule for a floatplane.

Welcome. Glad you are flying floats. Best thing to have But, very little is published about them, especially performance. My STC published only V Speeds! My performance was estimated by me training in the aircraft. Floats are risky business and I believe every take-off is going to be different from the last.

Regarding AOA...

It's hard to "rotate" a floatplane compared to let's say a tricycle. Floats planning on the water are very stiff on all three axis. Even with the "step" .

Flaps do a great job of increasing relative AOA on takeoff run. Adding flaps after reaching takeoff speed, on the water, is good too (manual flaps or fast hydraulic flaps). Opinion.

Also, lifting one wing can unstick a floatplane. Angel of attack is increased thru two separated aileron inputs. While the pivot on the lateral axis ( which is inhibited by water pressure) is small.