Seaplane question

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gsfan23

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gsfan23
Ok, so I'm not sure if this is the right venue for this specific of a question, but it's been on my mind for a bit as I'm looking into the rating.
Flying floatplanes: If all piston props need a runup, does the runup happen while attached to the dock if in the water? Common sense to me says it wouldn't be safe. If not moored to something and in close quarters on the water, how do you accomplish the runup without floating and drifting into the beach or hazardous objects in the water?
 
Dunno for sure, but my guess is the same way you do a runup on an icy ramp? Make sure there is nothing in front of you to run into.
 
Floatplanes still taxi out to takeoff and that's generally done as a slow taxi, speed and power depending on wind and current. Mag checks and prop cycling happen along the way when the engine is warmed enough to do it. Most of us don't have dock hands and untie the plane prior to getting in so getting in and starting up are imperative to get control of the plane. No brakes in a floatplane.
 
I do the run up while taxiing - you just do it quicker.
 
No. When I did my SES addon, we would idle taxi around until the oil temp was in the green, be sure the area ahead was clear, and then do the runup. Water rudders are very effective.

A runup should never be more than 30 seconds.

Until you get up on the step, the airplane just slowly plows through the water and with 1700-1800rpm, you really aren't going to go anywhere quickly.
 
At run-up engine speeds the plane requires full up elevator. The tails of the floats dig and the bows rise so the nose is high. That's a vulnerable position in crosswinds and with any chop and wind the floats are splashing water spray into the prop. Run-ups are minimal for most float ops. Add flowing waters with shallows and that's more true. Float pilots are trained to taxi with door ajar and seat belts off. In case you have to get out fast, and if you fly floats on flowing waters long enough you'll get some experience with that.
 
Awesome. Thanks for the input. I wasn't sure how fast the plane would accelerate at runup RPM. I'm really interested in getting my SES.
 
run-up power puts the plane into a plow, which means the plane is nose high and plowing water. The early take-off run sees the same stance but full power will pull you over the hump and on step. That's when the plane can really accelerate.
 
Stewartb said:
run-up power puts the plane into a plow, which means the plane is nose high and plowing water. The early take-off run sees the same stance but full power will pull you over the hump and on step. That's when the plane can really accelerate.
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Once it gets on step, it feels like the plane almost shoots forward.
 
Stewartb said:
Floatplanes still taxi out to takeoff and that's generally done as a slow taxi, speed and power depending on wind and current. Mag checks and prop cycling happen along the way when the engine is warmed enough to do it. Most of us don't have dock hands and untie the plane prior to getting in so getting in and starting up are imperative to get control of the plane. No brakes in a floatplane.
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That.

Or if you are a amphib you just do it before heading to the water ;)

Where are you doing your training?
 
I haven't decided yet, but I'm thinking either Alaska or Washington with Kenmore Air
 
gsfan23 said:
I haven't decided yet, but I'm thinking either Alaska or Washington with Kenmore Air
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Kenmore is great, they have this thing down to a science, first question is "when do you want to schedule your ride"

I did my initial SES with them in the real supercub, great times.

Seattle seaplane is also a good choice, did my initial CPL with them in their 172.

Personally I'd go to Kenmore, just the amount of seaplane knowledge on their dock on any day of the week is enough to boggle ones mind.
 
Not to tack on to this question, but I live in the Detroit area now. I've got my private SES and I'm thinking about bumping it up to commercial. I did it in an amphib Husky, so I'd like something different if I do the rating. Where would you all recommend? Anywhere in the country, I've got travel benefits to get it done.
 
When you're doing the run-up and in a plow taxi, it's hard on the prop (the water erodes the blades over time) as you're at a somewhat high RPM but slow speed, so another reason why the run-up time should be kept to a minimum...

The way I would start is push off dock/shore, hop in and start engine with water rudders down to taxi away from dock/shore so you don't start running into things. Then put your seat belt on as you're taxiing, then do a quick run-up...
 
For a "bush" course I'd go with one of CCs courses way before anything else, entertainment and educational value would be quite high.

Also he does all the same stuff in a more or less stock 172, which takes much more skill.

http://www.bushair.co.za/school.htm
 
My ultimate would be to find a Stinson 108 on floats somewhere to do some training it, not sure how realistic that is.
 
KSCessnaDriver said:
Not to tack on to this question, but I live in the Detroit area now. I've got my private SES and I'm thinking about bumping it up to commercial. I did it in an amphib Husky, so I'd like something different if I do the rating. Where would you all recommend? Anywhere in the country, I've got travel benefits to get it done.
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Tom Brady right here in Michigan.

www.traverseair.com
 
how is Browns? I am starting to work in Fl and I'm thinking about doing my seaplane for fun.
 
KSCessnaDriver said:
My ultimate would be to find a Stinson 108 on floats somewhere to do some training it, not sure how realistic that is.
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Not sure if it's done yet, but Seattle Seaplanes has one

http://www.seattleseaplanes.com/fleet-training.php

fleet_stinson_large.jpg


A true classic, the Stinson Voyager hails from 1947. It features a 150HP engine and sits on Edo 2425 floats. The Stinson can seat two: pilot + passenger.

Note: the Stinson is currently undergoing restoration.
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gsfan23 said:
Ok, so I'm not sure if this is the right venue for this specific of a question, but it's been on my mind for a bit as I'm looking into the rating.
Flying floatplanes: If all piston props need a runup, does the runup happen while attached to the dock if in the water? Common sense to me says it wouldn't be safe. If not moored to something and in close quarters on the water, how do you accomplish the runup without floating and drifting into the beach or hazardous objects in the water?
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You do the run up during taxi.
 
Friends that need advanced training for their professional flying careers have used Sheble's in Arizona.
 
Stewartb said:
Friends that need advanced training for their professional flying careers have used Sheble's in Arizona.
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Are they even still in business?

Every one of their 'on-staff' examiners lost their DPE status within the last few years. Looks like they have a new website that is pretty much just a shell - pages are blank.
 
I know nothing more than what I said. I don't keep up with such things. My float days are behind me, by choice.
 
KSCessnaDriver said:
I'm familiar with the "local" Michigan places, but I don't think I'd enjoy a PA-12. I barely fit in a Husky, so I was hoping for something a bit bigger, if you know what I mean.



I've seen that, guess I'll have to give them a call when I decide to do it.
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You sit in front, Tom sits in back. Plenty of room. And I'm 6'3" and wear a 46.
 
My old 160hp PA-12 on EDO 2000s was a blast to fly including with a 225# passenger in the back. In fact I think the passenger made it fly better.
 

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Big tires provide better utility for my needs. Floats in Alaska are great fun but didn't serve my destinations as well as tires. And my petite wife wasn't fond of jumping in rivers to help control the airplane, especially after a few times going in over her head. We're river folks. Alaskan rivers rise and fall quickly with changes in weather. A float plane requires constant attention. Tires? Tie it down and walk away.
 
EdFred said:
You sit in front, Tom sits in back. Plenty of room. And I'm 6'3" and wear a 46.
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Sounds like a Husky, which I had a hell of a time getting into. Maybe it was just the climb up on the amphibs on pavement that made it difficult.
 
KSCessnaDriver said:
Sounds like a Husky, which I had a hell of a time getting into. Maybe it was just the climb up on the amphibs on pavement that made it difficult.
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Might have been. I don't recall any issues. dock --> float --> plane
 
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