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Sea/Float Plane empty vs. gross weight considerations

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av8rps(at)tznet.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 1:27 pm Post subject: Sea/Float Plane empty vs. gross weight considerations

Chris,



It was nice meeting you at Oshkosh.  I enjoyed the short time we had to 

talk.  I like any Super Cub as they make nice seaplanes generally.



In reference to my comment about the airplane being able to carry it's own 

weight, I was just using that example to say airplanes with that capability 

will most likely make the best choices as seaplanes.  Particularly as an 

amphibious seaplane because the additional weight of the landing gear in the 

floats makes such a difference in performance and payload.



So to clarify my comment further, any airplane that can lift it's own EMPTY 

WEIGHT (measured while it is on wheels) will most likely make a good 

seaplane.  Of course this is assuming the designer has tested the gross 

weight limits, not just pulled a number out of a hat (which does happen, 

believe it or not).



So using my model IV Kitfox with a 912 as an example;  It weighs 627 pounds 

on wheels, and has a tested gross weight of 1200 pounds.  That means my 627 

pound airplane can lift 573 pounds of weight off the ground, or 91% of it's 

empty weight.



Using another example;  If a new Kitox Super Sport with a 912uls (100 hp) 

has an average 775 pound empty weight (again on wheels), and a tested 1550 

pound gross weight, it has a 775 pound useful load, or the capacity to carry 

aloft 100% of it's own empty weight.  Once again, the new Kitfox would make 

an excellent choice for a seaplane.



As a last example;  An early Avid Flyer that has a 396 pound empty weight, 

but a 911 pound tested gross weight, it has a 515 pound useful load, or is 

carrying 130% of its empty weight.  So early Avid Flyers make excellent 

seaplanes for sure (see attached brochure specs for an early Avid.  BTW - 

the airplane in the picture on floats weighed 360 pounds on wheels, and flew 

two adults off the water just great....on 40 hp!  I know this factually as I 

still have the airplane....)



Obviously one has to look hard at the mission you want your seaplane to do. 

But these numbers should help the group here to understand better what 

exactly I was trying to say with that statement I made to you.



Paul Seehafer

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Malcolmbru(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 6:22 pm Post subject: Sea/Float Plane empty vs. gross weight considerations

has anybody herd fromm the guy wanting to build his own 1,900 grose  flots?  mal



Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com.

  [quote][b]

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Chris In Marshfield

Joined: 26 May 2006
Posts: 87

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 6:56 am Post subject: Re: Sea/Float Plane empty vs. gross weight considerations

Hi Paul,



Thanks for taking the time to clarify your comments.  Much appreciated.  Very helpful information when choosing a design.



It was great meeting you as well.  Hopefully we'll have more time to chat one day.  Any other Wisconsin seaplane fly-ins that are worthy of attendance?  Perhaps I'll see you at one of them.



Best regards,

Chris

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_________________
Chris Owens
Waunakee, WI

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