Water landing
 

Going to take my J-3 cub for its first water voyage. Done lots of landings with this style of bird on land and a little nervous about the water. Is landing and taking off water much different?

RE: Water landing
 

The J3 Cub has alot better take off and landing manners on floats! You will love it! What cub do you have? I fly the 25 size, 40 size, 1/4 scale and the 1/3rd right now.

RE: Water landing
 

Make sure you fly the plane down to the water, don't just chop the throttle and drop onto the water surface. The forward motion combined with the angle of the floats on the water will make the plane ski over the water as it comes down. And don't let the nose drop until the plane comes off the step.

Have fun, and keep a boat handy.

Brad

RE: Water landing
 

I find that adding just a click or two of power just before it touches gives it just enough extra pull to overcome the extra drag it will encounter as it touches down.

And like Brad said - Keep a boat handy ;)

RE: Water landing
 

Thanks for the tips guys. I guess the only way to get over the nerves is just to do it.

RE: Water landing
 

There is a great seaplane forum on here. Take a look at it. Plus, there are several videos of float planes so you can get an idea how to take off and land. Add throttle progressively on take off and don't just add full up elevator, actually a little down will get the plane on step then add a little up and let the plane fly itself off the water. As Minnflyer said, a little power on landing helps tremendously. Set your landing attitude and let the plane slowly settle using a little less throttle than it would take to maintain level flight.

RE: Water landing
 

I'll check that forum out, thanks. sounds like a good take off tip. Hopefully It well be a bird and not a fish.

RE: Water landing
 

Now that we're on the subject... Technically, wouldn't it be called watering instead of landing?

RE: Water landing
 

Good luck!:D

RE: Water landing
 

Also make sure all your electronics are wrapped in plastic (reciever and battery - servos should be OK without it). While they won't be completely waterproof, if the plane does nose in, it might prevent them from being completely flooded.

Additional fuel proofing is usually a good idea. Water is going to spray all over the tail section and the wing saddle. If the water soaks in, it will soften and weaken the wood.

Brad

RE: Water landing
 

I was told to use heavy duty condoms. Any suggestions on what to use?

RE: Water landing
 

The condoms sound like a pretty good idea for the Rx, batteries, and other electronic components. Make sure they are not lubricated or come with any other chemicals that might compromise your equipment.

RE: Water landing
 

what is a heavy duty condom? It is made out of an inner-tube?

RE: Water landing
 

Strangebrew-

Happypappy gave you advice about take off. He was spot on and this is where you are more likely to have problems. If you try to take off too quickly, you are likely to stall and put it in the drink. Ask me how I know. Let the plane build up plenty of speed before gently pulling back on the stick. Give yourself plenty of room for lift off. You've got a lot more weight underneath than when on land.

Have fun!

RE: Water landing
 

A heavy duty condom is what men use. In a few years you might be able to upgrade.

RE: Water landing
 

Thanks for the advice partner. I'll make sure I go to the lake and not the pond.

RE: Water landing
 

I agree with jagnweiner in this regard! Also note not to use too much water rudder at high speeds as it will whip the bird around like a rag doll! :D
Flying off water Is soooo much fun. I hope you enjoy it. You never told us what bird you have? gas,Nitro, electric?

RE: Water landing
 

I have a four stroke with a 90" wing span. The motor is a OS fs 91s 2 four stroke engine with tune muffler. Thanks again for all your tips. Your planes look really nice. Looks like you have a whole family. Pretty cool.

RE: Water landing
 

man that cub collection is neat!!

RE: Water landing
 

Strangebrew-

Is that 90" span Cub the Great Planes .60 size? If so, that's the Cub I have flown on floats. It's a great flyer and really cool on floats. I used the Great Planes float kit which, as I mentioned, really adds a lot of weight.

And yes, with that size plane you do need a lake rather than a pond. My one incident came when I was taking off. As I implied, I pulled up too soon and started to stall. I should have just lowered the nose and went back down, but I was fast approaching a fishing boat that seemed a long ways away when I started to take off. I tried to power out and keep climbing, but went in from about 30 feet. That Cub is built like a brick outhouse. The only damage was that I tore the landing gear plate out.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

RE: Water landing
 

Thanks for the comps guys!

Strangebrew....That is a Good package to float fly with...You'll be hooked no doubt. One more thing to mention here for you since you have never flown this bird off water....Once you get it in the air it will have a different feel than your use to as it will have a heavy pendalum effect and will not roll the same nor will it turn the same...you may need to use some rudder in your turns if you don't already....give your self some extra height when doing rolls and inverted stunts just in case she gets alittle loose on ya. Hope this helps better prepare you.
Shayne