Great Lakes 4x4. The largest offroad forum in the Midwest banner

Does anybody have a flying boat?

2K views 36 replies 19 participants last post by  RICK 
#1 · (Edited)
I've been looking into these things for a while. I first saw them in Florida 7 or 8 years ago, and I've noticed more in the air last summer then ever. I'd like to see one, and hear opinions on the likes/dislikes from aluminum vs rubber. They've came down enough in price that they are now in my range of purchasing one.

SeAir's model can convert from a boat to a trike, so I could fly around town and such. But I think it would be great to have the boat since I spend a lot of time on the water in the summer.
 
#10 ·
maybe I was wrong... but I want one now!! I'll die with you and Sol..

Getting the BFI would require, though, that you first get your ultralight pilots certificate, that you have a qualified aircraft (the FIB) that is registered with one of the organizations, and that you've been signed off by a BFI examiner. It's that last part that might be tough. Every month that goes by, there are fewer and fewer of them around, so you might have to travel to another state to find one. But even if you do go through all those hoops, you will only be able to fly a qualified FIB until 2010 before the exemption is revoked.
 
#14 ·
BTW, I'm not sure about flying boats (like the one pictured above), but water landings are about the most difficult in a conventional plane. Also, I don't think you can fly them around town. No person may operate an ultralight over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons. (AOPA online)
 
#15 ·
I did not think you needed any certification for ultralight.... could be wrong but that is definitely the way it used to be.

i think anyone should have some training regardless.
 
#23 ·
"On average, 60 deaths per year occur in the U.S. due to ultralight crashes,"

Not too bad of odds... compaired to 4,553 (2005) motorcycle deaths... lol... I know, there are more cycles on the road.. I like less than a 100 better!
 
#30 ·
sounds like you are pretty intersted in these things.
here's a link to some photos of my friends plane in KY.

http://spaces.live.com/PhotomailViewer.aspx?path=/photomail/{7b6d49af-83e8-4305-b1dc-949a4f491ebf}&image=F8898D4A491EC716!189&imagehi=F 8898D4A491EC716!185&CID=-537743330300213482&fname=PhotoMail%20Image%2082-187-2.jpg&

he's already got the land and an 80 acre pond, he's planning to build a small boat-plane airport.

in the photo's he's loading the plane up to take to the air show in florida the wings detach and are in the trailer already.
 
#34 · (Edited)

I've done water landings in a flying boat

What is the FAA's definition of a “congested area”?
“This question often comes up when trying to determine the minimum safe altitude for operating an aircraft. In [CFR] 91.119, a "congested area" is defined as a city, town, settlement, or open-air assembly of persons. According to a Letter of Interpretation from FAA legal counsel (http://www.aopa.org/epilot/redir.cfm?adid=8604 ), there is no standard definition for a congested area, but case law has indicated that a subdivision of homes and a small rural town constitute one. Because it has been interpreted loosely, consider an area congested if you are in doubt.”

Source: AOPA ePilot Flight Training Edition; Volume 6, Issue 13 -- March 31, 2006.
 
#37 · (Edited)
yes, it does indeed float.
Just like a pontoon boat. Those buldges along both sides are the fuel tanks. They are sealed, pressurized pontoons for flotation purposes. There is a load restriction for "extended water operations" which is significantly less than half the maximum gross operating weight.
Of course you have to make sure the drain plugs in the underside of the aircraft are installed prior to water landings.
Another restiction is waves less than 2 feet. It is intersting looking under water through the chin bubbles beneath your feet.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top