Floatplane

Was thinking more about ditching.Anyone had to ditch a jabiru?

Did it flip over on wheels touching the water?

I guess there just might be someone that has ditched a Jab considering their poor engine performance as of late :-) But honestly provided it's done right you should (like most fixed gear) be able to simply stall the thing onto the water, if your unlucky to screw that up, than yes, it just might flip over onto it's wings. It's something one can't practice, theory only :-) Guess the best way is to have floats when crossing then remove them once back home, much saver option or I guess take a jet :-). Clamar are offering quick conversions for jabs or any LSA plane?? check out their web site.

rgs

FP

Looking at the image of the Jabiru floating in the floods - it appears the left wing is barely in the water and the right one not at all. All the buoyancy needed to keep it afloat appears to be in the fuselage. I am assuming the cabin isn't water-tight (mine certainly isn't - but maybe the builder was more meticulous than I am :-) ) Given that the wings are also made up of lots of foam sandwich I would assume there is total buoyancy is waaaay in excess of that needed to keep it afloat if you ditched. Makes me feel a little more comfortable about flying over water.Now what about techniques for getting safely from air to water?

rgs

FP

Speaking of old seaplane bases and Victoria, what about Lake Boga?

FP

Here you go

Regards

FP

Funny thing, I've actually crossed Bass Strait at 'NIGHT" in a C210! what was I thinking, back then being 22, one doesn't consider the 'what ifs' If you ever want to chat about floats, yell out as I might have several suggestions ok.

regards

FP

You can buy flexible hard plastic conduit for automotive use and I would certainly double insulate using this stuff as the outer protection (did this on a racing car with the battery in the boot). Also a large capacity fuse or circuit breaker next to the isolator at the battery end of the jumper cable (if the cable is only for recharging the battery) will stop the battery from exploding if there is a short circuit. .....cheers

RD

FP

Och

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Certainly did float and washed up largely intact further downstream although I understand it was later written off by insurers. There was a bloke who landed in the Channel not too long ago and who stayed aboard his floating ultralight for several hours until rescued, so it is a worthwhile feature.

Hi there,

I fitted an external plug to my Rans, (mine is VH exp) used an automotive one for around $40 just incase I needed a jump start on the beach or wherever. I hear the Jab's could be difficult so fully recommend it. If you PM me, I can send some pic's but most auto-electric's places should know what you require. (about 3"x2"x2" thick - both ends come with it, so have the male end configured for the jumper leads and leave rolled up in baggage area or wherever)

Rgs

FP

Has anyone installed a external battery plug in order to jump start J250?I have just joined the site and have found a world of information. I am located in the state of Alabama in good old USA. Purchased a J250. I also fly and own a Breezy.

Hi there Terry!

That's a brave move in a Thruster so well done :-)

I've flown a drifter and I can't see how that would float, so I'm impressed others have crossed BS most definitely, where as myself, I'd need something with a glide ratio of 1000:1 or fly at a flight level or something that will float, yep I'm a chicken for sure :-)

Here's a great idea, hire a lift raft and strap to rear seat, "if needed" you simply inflate prior touchdown and bingo :-) all you'll need is a martini and a blonde

Rgs

FP

I was told by someone in the know that when they crossed the strait with a thruster they filled the wings with foam slabs 100mm thick. Could do it with an xair too I suppose. There has been many many thruster crossings. When my thruster was brought to tassie it was flown direct from yarrum to bridport at 9000 feet.

Post deleted

:-)

FP

Yes

Rgs FP

I understand that the wings of my Jab 450UL have a foam core. Does all that foam give it buoyancy should I have to ditch? From what I see in the hangar a Thruster or Xair would go straight to the bottom. I have seen references to floating Jabirus in the recent Australian floods, and I wondered if this was feature worthy of remark.

I agree with Ian, very sad indeed

Unfortunately one of the deceased is a very well known member of our Recreational Flying community here...our thoughts go out to his loved ones and friends

Count me in - done it tons of times, provided you prepare it's achievable and very satisfying indeed

FP

Now that the 'over water' reg is now in, how many lining up for a crack at crossing Bass Strait?Just curious at how much effort was but into obtain this and how many are actually gunna do it.

I know of at least one.

 

ozzie

Hi Baphomet

Firstly you'd have to decide what sort of float/seaplane you like? As I operate/owned both I'll personally give my views:

Seaplane -

Advantages - Great feeling of speed on the water itself, low and fast; easier to land than a floatplane by a smidgeon; most have false floors thus don't worry about leaks :-)

Disadvantages - Carrying a lot of weight when not heading to the water, thus a trip to the centre isn't practical; you can't simply drop your draws (whilst on the water) and take a dip, because even if you could clamber back into the cockpit you'd be dragging heaps of either salt/fresh water back in as well which isn't really recommended

Floatplanes -

Advantages - Can have either straight or amphibious configuration, gives 2 planes for the price of one (most fixed wings can be converted) as removing floats takes me only 2 1/2 hours thus that trip to the centre is now realistic plus selling is definitely easier too; want to have a swim? Easy and sun baking a bonus! Easier to get out off the water in some conditions; float maintenance is way earier tha having the a/c submerged in water too;I recently saw a floatplane crash in Florida due engine failure after take-off and if it wasn't for those floats the pilot would have died, it's like a bullbar I guess.;

Disadvantages - If you simply don't like them

Now before those monohull guys start repling - :yuk: , it's simply my opinion "but if you were to give me a Catalina style plane and someone else maintains it, my arm could be twisted :thumb_up:

Regards

FP

I'm in the market for a new aircraft, and I'm giving very serious consideration to an amphibian. I'd like to hear any feedback (positive or negative) on any of the new crop of machines, i.e. Super Petrel, SeaMax, Colyaer Freedom, Searey etc. PM me if you'd prefer not to have you comments go public.Cheers

 

Baphomet

Anywhere excepting the Swan River in Perth. All manner of boats fill Perth & Melville Water on the river and helicopter joy flights operate from the river's edge in the inner city but floatplanes aren't kosher (City administrators obviously have forgotten or just plain don't know the history of 2nd war flying boat operations from the jewel of the West). Go figure!! Cheers Riley

Regards

FP

Where you operate waterplanes

I won't start stating reg's from hundreds of council By-Laws, Marine/Port Authories along with CASA regulations, as it'll confuse the best of us, but if I was to say simply - "you can operate anywhere motor boats are allowed" should for now if anything get the taste buds going.

Of cause there are certain regulations one must follow, and there have been pilots in the past that abused or disregarded basic rules which resulted in either banning or amendments of certain regulations.

Flying is a great sport, boating is too and probably why we combine both

Hope this helps

Floatplane