arobatic float planes
 

In general how arobatic are float planes?
the Mariner is it arobatic friendly?
Thanks for any info...

RE: arobatic float planes
 

Obviously a float plane is going to be heavier than the corresponding land plane. That being said, on a good aerobatic plane, a light set of foam floats with a light wire struts doesn't add all that much. The extra weight down low does affect some maneuvers. Looping maneuvers aren't affected much. Rolls tend to be slower and the barrel out some. Snaps are slower, as are spins.

I test flew a Mariner for a buddy and have a Sea Monster flying boat. They do all the regular acro well. My Monster does all the regular stuff, including outsides, inverted, spins and snaps.

I have an old, early 3D type plane, a Stuntwagon, with tri-floats that it still a great flier.

Botton line is they only have slightly less aerobatic capability that a land plane. If you tend to build heavy, they will come out heavier. If you keep them light, they are really excellent.

RE: arobatic float planes
 

float planes can be more aerobatic, I have a DazzlerI fly on GB floats and it's more unstable with the floats so therefore more aerobatic, it does much better flat spins. I had an old originalHots on GB floats for many years that was even more aerobatic. The trick is to start with an aerobatic freindly design, not a high wing like the mariner.

RE: arobatic float planes
 

AND, if you start with a trainer, floats make it MORE aerobatic inverted. I have put floats on Lazy Bees, Super Stik, Fun Fly Planes, a Telemaster, and SPAD coke-sign and drainpipe models and they all fly well with floats...REMEMBER: I always use lightweight styrofoam-core floats.
Built-up plywood floats look good but they are heavy. Blow-molded plastic floats are not high on my admired list (somewhere near BinLaden). I once won a funFly and my prize was a set of blow molded floats. I asked if second place was TWO pairs of blow-molded floats.......

RE: arobatic float planes
 

Hey Jim I'll take those floats off your hands if you don't want them...:D.... Any float fly's going out near you? Nothin happening over here... I have to go to FL next week and will HAVE TOO take a plane or two or three...

RE: arobatic float planes
 

I put a set of my 30 inch foam core floats on my Somethin' Extra and it performs just as well as on wheels. Actually when it's inverted, the floats add lift so I don't have to give it down elevator. I have more fun with it with floats than with wheels................Seaplane

RE: arobatic float planes
 

I have a H9 Ultra-Stick on ARC Model-Fly floats. Thunder Tiger 46 pro. APC 11x5.
Very nice!
I'm not a good pilot, and even I make it fly well.

RE: arobatic float planes
 

The Mariner is quite aerobatic for a float plane. But the Seamaster is even better IMHO

RE: arobatic float planes
 

About 10 yrs ago, one of my flying buddies gave me a set of 31'' EZ floats. You are right, it is a foam core float and very light. Weighs 20 oz. complete with music wire mounting. But the size was just marginal for my Citabria. ( Need 33-34")The company quit importing them and you could only by them by then if you bought them in large quantity.

All the foam core floats have to have some finish from what I know, e.g. f/g or thin balsa. Does that not add some weight? And of all the foam floats out there, which one(s) the lightest after covering and give good handling and control spray?

I almost got the Niagara floats but after looking at the recommended covering procedure made me wonder about the weight of the floats vs the Falcon, which is what I have now. They never got back to me with my questions and that is why I opted on the Falcon floats.

RE: arobatic float planes
 

I have both the Niagara and Falcon floats and the foam Niagara ones are lighter. 3/4 oz. glass cloth and water based poly-u isn't very heavy. You can also monokote them or tape them. Both are good on the water.

RE: arobatic float planes
 

by far the best aerobatic seaplane is the ARF Ace Seamaster - it does the easiest and best slow and point rolls of any seaplane - and most land planes.
this is despite the pylon mounted engine -a 70 4 stroke works out just about best.
We have had more than 30 of these at our lake and they all fly great - anything from a 50 2 stroke to a 72 4 stroke works well-but the 70/72 power is best for aero.
rolling circles,16 pt. rolls, top hats,etc.-all are easy to do - and it lands as easy-
the only slightly demanding operation is on take off- apply power gradually and be sure the wings are level before adding power as digging in a tip float will cause a "ground" loop--as is true of all tip floats

RE: arobatic float planes
 

Phil, I guess your post shows that there are different ways to be aerobatic. Yours would be slow and precise, mine would be wild and 3D.... I also like fast, this one will roll faster than you can count and does a mean snap and climbing flat spins...

RE: arobatic float planes
 

I have seen Evan's plane fly. With a little more nitro, he could have taken the X-prize. It's HOT.

More Conventionally, EZ kits a pattern float plane ARF. The name escapes me, but it is a relatively cotemporary looking pattern plane, but the vertical stab is upside-down, to hang into the water to act as a water rudder, And it has 2 floats that are shorter than he 75% rule, mounted into the wing with large fairings....like the landing gear strut fairings on a GeeBee. I have seen those fly, (I was even midaired by one-little damage) and they are fast and precise.

RE: arobatic float planes
 

You can't get more aerobatic than F3A... That's why we have F3A-Hydro! It's a lot of fun, I can tell you :) Great bunch of people!


P.S: if someone's wondering: yes, the 3rd picture from the left shows the Smaragd, Germanys Bernd Beschorner backup plane from the world F3A championships in Ireland.

RE: arobatic float planes
 

The EZ plane with the upside down fin & ruder is the EZ Splash. It is pricey.

Evan-what is that delta on floats? Are plans or dimensions available? Drop me an e-mail.

RE: arobatic float planes
 

The main planform is Jerry Smiths Outlaw. Changes include the floats(obiously), repositioning of the main vertical stab to act as a water rudder, engine and servo placement. Jerry sells plans and I don't have any dimensions or mods writtten down but I'm going to florida this weekend and need an excuse to bring an air plane, where is Shalimar?

RE: arobatic float planes
 

Just follow the general path that hurricane Ivan took.

Bob

RE: arobatic float planes
 

Shalimar is between Fort Walton Beach and Eglin AFB out in the panhandle. We are 40 miles or so east of Pensacola which is, by local calculation, a long way from "Florida." The peninsula, that is.

The tan area is the Eglin AFB reservation-780 sq. miles.

RE: arobatic float planes
 

They can do anything

RE: arobatic float planes
 

Yes, but they aren't making the Heckler any more. Probably sold out too quickly. I did buy a spare.

RE: arobatic float planes
 

Yes, they are sold out, but he asked how aerobatic they were:) I have a spare too

RE: arobatic float planes
 

Take your favorite airplane and put floats on it. Just be sure to keep the float installation light and properly rigged. See Chuck Cunningham's article on Randy Linderman's website.

If nothing else you will notice that after flying from the water for a while, your wheel landings miraculously get a whole lot better. BUT you will probably sell your house and invest in lakefront property.