Float Plane Question

[WWhunter]

Yep, like jt said...lots of variables but if you have plenty of water ahead it really shouldn't be a problem. I have a little float time (couple hundred hours), float flying is probably a little more critical as far as landing speeds are concerned but if you are flying, put the nose down, establish glide/landing speed and you'll be fine. I have had an engine 'out' a couple times on landing and it was a non-event.
(This was due to a low idle speed set on the engine.) A float plane has NO brakes so many people up here will lower the idle a bit to slow the plane down a bit. With a normal/fast idle a float plane will move at a good pace on a calm day. You are 'flying' the plane from the minute you untie it until the time it is tied to the dock again. Like being in a sailboat under full sail. You are nothing but a big weather vane.....gets hairy if you have an engine out and there is a brisk breeze.
I will state that once you fly floats you will be hooked!!! It is the most fun type of flying I do. I know several guy up in MN that would rather have an engine out while on floats over being on wheels mostly due to the amount of water in northern MN. You can nearly always land into the wind when on floats. In your situation of taking off and having an issue, you should already be flying into the wind so you are already set up for landing.

[avidflyer]

Sorry to hijack the thread for a second, but Keith, are you going to the Long Lake ski flyin tomorrow? I'm hoping to if we don't have snow in the morning. Take care, Jim Chuk

[WWhunter]

Jim,
Hello sir!!! Sorry but I won't be making it to the fly-in since I am spending the winter with the spousal unit (wife) in Maryland. She is at Ft. Meade, MD just south of Baltimore. I should be back to Mn. around the first of April. Have two guys wanting to look at my Champ on floats I am selling. If you know anyone looking for an LSA compliant 7AC Champ with floats and wheels send them my way. It's got a Lyc. O-235 and on PK1500's.

Ok, back to the regularly scheduled topic.

[bbryan]

Thats just what I was hoping to hear and the reason I got the K3 in the first place. I'm 2 miles from the river and 4 from the airport so the river sounds inviting. The only issue I am having is lauching at the public boat ramp. It seems they all have the long posts that stick up on the docks making lauching with wings an issue. I haven't figured that one out yet.

[WWhunter]

One thing to also take into count on flying from a river though is ...how fast is the current? If it is a slow moving waterway you won't have much issue but if it has any speed to it you...well, it might be an exciting ride!!!