Help picking floats
 

Hi guys,
I am new to float flying. I've been flying on weels for 2 years now, and I recently picked up a VMar Beaver ARF as my first new float plane.

I have installed a 51 SuperTigre, the plane weighing in around 7-8 pounds. Wingspan is 71 inches. The overall length of the plane is 45 inches long. I have installed a set of 33 inch GeeBees, but the plane sits very low in the water, and when applying power, water seems to come over the front of the floats and the plane does a nosedive in the water before I can pick up speed. :oops:

Can somone help me with this problem? Thanks.

Those Gee Bee floats aren't the greatest.. But we'll work with what we got.. Make sure the step of the floats is at or just ahead (1/2-1 in) of the C/G.. The spred between the floats should be around 12-14 in.. And wing incedence should be about 2-3 deg + from the top of the float... The photo shows what I mean, the front leading edge needs to be more than the trailing ( photo: 8 1/2 in at LE and 8 in at TE )... If it is less then you may get a "digging in" type effect.. Hope this helps.. You might be better off with some different floats too, Hangar 9 makes some new .40 size ones for ( ARF wood and fiberglass ) $90

Hi,

I would recommend longer floats. Generally floats should be 75-80% of the fuse length. The GeeBee floats are just within the 75% range. I would suggest 36" floats, which are 80% of the fuse length. There are several kits available in the 36 inch range, ie Carl Goldberg, Great Planes (I believe there is an ARF version too), and Unionville all make floats. I have a set of the Unionville 36" floats and they are fantastic.

Also you can make your own set of floats out of foam and fibreglass. Here is a link to a site where there are how-to articles on making foam floats:http://rcalbum.machawk.net/. Click on the link at the top of the page titled "Construction". I would suggest making V-Hull floats as from some past experience I have found that they work best.

You probably already know this, but when flying off floats you must hold full up elevator until the plane picks up speed and starts planning on the "step". This may be why the floats are digging in.

I hope this helps
Mike