Need your input!!
 

In preparation for a float fly in May '06, MY first, I need pointers, Tips, do's and dont's and what to expect. I rebuilt my trainer plane for floats, and put in a Thunder Tiger F 54S 4 stroke. I have flown it since the rebuild and it has tons of power, I also added flaps thinking I would need it for getting off the water. Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks:D

RE: Need your input!!
 

If it was me, I'd take the airplane out by myself or with a single helper and figure run it through a flight or two and get an idea of what to expect on water before rather than doing all that for the first time in front of a big audience. I've only flown a Mariner off water and it was a big handful on the first flight. It's still a handful, but I have a better idea of what to expect now.

RE: Need your input!!
 

The first rule of float flying is to be sure you have access to a boat. (I've been looking forward to posting this picture.) The boat does not have to be fancy.

THe plane may trim differently when you add floats but don't expect to have to learn to fly all over again.

Takeoff: Point into the wind. Hold full up when you initially give it power. As soon as the tips of the floats rise, neutralize the elevator and let the plane climb up on the step. When it is going fast enough for takeoff, ease back on the stick and she'll fly off. Come to think of it it's almost exactly like takeoff in a taildragger.

Landing, line up FROM THEdownwind DIRECTION. Try to plan to land a little bit past you so the breeze will blow the plane toward you. Hold a little power until you are SURE you are over the water. I've been farther out than I thought and strained it thru the bushes more than once. Catching a shadow in your peripheral vision when the plane is coming over the bushes on the far bank helps. When you are close to the water you can gauge your altitude by watching for the reflection in the water surface. When the floats touch the reflection you are down.

Taxiing is the hardest thing and the part of float flying that is most different from wheeled flying.
If the motor is running: The plane will be moving.
If the motor is NOT running: The plane will be moving-but you can't control it.

RE: Need your input!!
 

I don't want to get pickky Jim but when you say line up down wind I understand that you mean to be downwind from where you are but POINTED into the wind so you land into the wind as you took off. I hope others understand that too. Be sure to keep your float plane within ten degrees of directly into the wind on take-off and landing or a tip over is more possible.

RE: Need your input!!
 

Thanks for clarifying. Sometimes I work so hard at typing it overwhelms my other cognitive powers and I don't express myself as clearly as I should. Land and take off into the wind. Go downwind, turn around just before you hit the bank, point it upwind, and take off. Fly to a downwind point, turn back toward yourself, and land some safe distance from your feet.

I DO continue to be amazed at how many RCers have no concept of which way the wind is blowing. I used to fly with a guy who could figure out a way to land or take off crosswind even if it was calm. I have even carried a little bottle of bubble liquid to the field with me at times. "Watch the bubbles. When you're flying thru them, you're coming in from the right direction"

RE: Need your input!!
 

Would it be wise to use full flaps on takeoff, or should I try 1st with none? I know with full flaps in flight anything above idle she takes off like a helecopter!! Is this normal?

RE: Need your input!!
 

Man, that is a sweet boat. Couple of chunks of wood, a lawn chair and a trolling motor. I'll have to build one of those before my next trip to the pond:D

RE: Need your input!!
 

Useing flaps for take off can be difficult generally for take off your flaps should be set to about 1/2 of what they are for landing. With flaps deployed they dent do cause the plane to nose down whish you have to correct with up elavator On a trainer plane I would not use them for take off but use them for landings Also one thing about flying on the water you have to use your rudder Much more so than off land. Hope his is helpful

RE: Need your input!!
 

Full flaps are never for takeoff, too much drag. Try none first, see what kind of takeoff run you have, then try half and see if it shortens the takeoff enough to make them worthwhile. With a flat bottom wing, you're making enough lift that you really don't need them, but they're fun to play with, anyway.

Jim Casey----Where in Tn is Cookeville? Seems like I should know, but can't place it. Are you going to the fly-in in Sevierville in June (2nd weekend) ? It's at the airport, they'r using a taxiway for the runway, plus the grass next to the taxiway. Landing fee also gets flyers admission to the museum there. Never been to it, but have seen billboards, several warbirds there. I'll probably bring three or four planes, if I still have them then:)

RE: Need your input!!
 

Cookeville is halfway between Knoxville and Nashville, On I-40. Keep me posted on the Sevierville Fly-In. It'd be fun to go to Pigeon Forge-one hill over.

RE: Need your input!!
 

I took off with about 1/2 flaps yesturday off grass. It only requires about 3/4 throttle, and was smoother than full throttle without the use of flaps. I guess when it comes to the water takeoff I will just use full power and wait for the lift from the wing, and then use flaps for landing.

RE: Need your input!!
 

It's a general fly-in, any plane, any size, Saturday June 10th, at the Sevierville airport. Maybe the 11th also, not sure.

RE: Need your input!!
 

Hi Jim,

I showed the boat picture to my son. He was all for it. He had stored his Laser Sailboat (competitive class racing boat) at my place and I put a motor mount and a 2HP Yamaha outboard to retrieve our float planes at our club. It didn't take long for him to get that boat out of my yard when he found that out. He says that I can now build the boat from Jim's picture. Here is a photo for you

RE: Need your input!!
 

The best retrieval boat I have used was the one at Florida Float Flyers. It was about a 12' aluminum jon-boat. Stable enough to stand in, safely buoyant for two, and would float in 3 inches of water. Powered with a trolling motor. We also used a donated v-hull ski boat. The covered deck was practical after we covered it with non-slip indoor outdoor carpeting.