My first float plane
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Not sure what to expect but here it is. I'm sure looking forward to flying it. I'm shocked at the weight of it all. I used 32 inch Slocan floats and built my own mounts etc. The dural and wheels, collars etc are heavier :D
Any tips? See anything out of place? |
1 Attachment(s)
Here's another!
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yeah......the floats aren't painted purty like the plane!!!!
So we should see you at Shuswap in a couple of weeks, then?? (I gotta get me something on floats!) |
I'm hoping to make it up to the shuswap. I refuse to cut out and iron on anymore flames LOL
It's just not worth it! I could paint them though, never thought of that! Is there a quick drying paint suitable for that? Do I paint the bottoms to? |
Looks good, I would recommend a rudder on the floats, if the plane is heavy there might be a little more drag than normal on take off until the floats start to plane and a rudder helps tremendously. Also if your engine is mounted with an offset you may experience a large turning radius that can be offset with a float rudder rather than your airplane rudder, I found that this helps in a very smooth level lift off.
Angus |
Thanks for the input Angus. I have conversed with a few guys that have flown their Extra with no water rudders. The Extra is setup with no down thrust or right offset on the engine. Some have even said they have setup theirs with 0 degrees incidence to the float with no problem. I have opted to put in 1 degree positive though. I'll have to try it out and see but I have my fingers crossed that I won't need a water rudder, we'll see :lol:
Guess I should start thinking about it though, just in case! I have a cross brace in place across the front mount but I don't think one is needed across the back. Any input there? |
Well I flew my Extra on floats today. I tuned the engine up and it floated away on the grass with full power. I steered it back and did a figure 8 or two, handled very well on the short dry grass 8) I had quite the audience :D and would you believe they all wanted me to take off, so I did :shock: Couldn't believe it, just like it was on wheels. Landing was a bit short but very nice all things considered. I have a question though, I have my Extra dialed in real nice, for wheels. Flying it today with the floats and all the control surfaces seemed a lot more sensitive. So much that I have to add a lot of expo and or go back to dual rates. Is this normal? Sure flew good!
I think I am going to really enjoy this, wet or dry :P |
The cg may have moved back a bit...
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I set it up right to the same mark I had it with wheels. Maybe I just need to get more stick time. Looking forward to flying it off the water.
Thanks for the reply! Steve |
Try adding an ounce or so of weight to the front of the floats.
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