The same landning filmed with two cameras; from cockpit (pilot view) and from the water surface. The wind is turbulent (gusty 5-15 kt) all the way down. (Check the speed indicator).

Very nice. A small thing that can get big: try keeping the nose precisely on a small target on the surface with rudder only, no aileron. You will find gusts to be less problem that way. If the nose is kept on target with rudder and adverse yaw does not enter the picture in any way (aileron,) the wing automatically stays level. Same with a crosswind. If the target is kept with rudder only and aileron only sets the wing to counter drift (no coordination,) gusts are less of a problem. Nice to be able to usually head directly into the wind.

Looks fun. I'd love to have a set of those Full Lotus on something really light.

Also, interesting approach. Lake looks pretty small. I only have a few hours float time, but for confined area landings I recall that rather than slow airspeed way down and mush down like you would on wheels, it was recommended to make a steep approach with more airspeed and touch down on the water as close to the approach end as possible, then drag on the water is plenty to slow you down once you fall off step.

Maybe the Full Lotus are different in that maybe they plane you more because of the flatter hull shape?

Contactflying: I´m not correcting the pin-pointed course mainly with the ailerons, just holding the wings levelled on long final.
But, yes, in the very last seconds I do change the course, a little to the left, with all rudders duty to the houseboat in front of the window.
Are You really sure that the corse could be hold only with the rudder in low speed, even in strong and gusty winds, at low altitude, in mountained areas like this, when You have to touch the landing zon without no marginal?


Zzz: Why should I on a pretty small lake "make a steep approach with more airspeed and touch down on the water as close to the approach end as possible"? Seems to be two opposite goals when making a safe landning in a pond, just 1.500 feet, with more than 100 feet terrain obstacles.

When you have the chance in light to moderate turbulence up high, pick a far target and just use rudders to keep the nose (between your legs) precisely on that target. You will be amazed that the wings stay level. Yawing just a bit is not nearly as disruptive as adverse yaw. In gusts there is no way to time the gust so as to make a coordinated turn into it. The aileron way out on the wing has enough drag and leverage to really pull a wing back. At slower airspeed, the aileron becomes less effective. The other controls as well, except that those in the prop blast still are more effective. The key on a gusty short final is to use enough rudder to have an effect, either with aileron (coordinated) or just rudder. Once you find yourself using lots of rudder, you will realize that aileron is not helpful, except with a wing well down. If fast enough with rudder, or dynamic proactive with rudder, the wing will not get well down as much.

stinsoner wrote:Zzz: Why should I on a pretty small lake "make a steep approach with more airspeed and touch down on the water as close to the approach end as possible"? Seems to be two opposite goals when making a safe landning in a pond, just 1.500 feet, with more than 100 feet terrain obstacles.

I suppose it's a balance of the landing area variables and trying for a smooth touchdown. Floatplanes have no suspension so i always cringe on a hard landing, thinking I've bent something. I guess I would want to get on the water as soon as possible with options for gentle decent rate. I always think of this fellow:

https://youtu.be/fC5yscm9dsI?t=211 (fast forward to 3:33)