float flying questions

[swoeric]

i have an 85 with 1500 gw


whats it like flying 3120s at 1500 or am i that much better off to chase down 1500s

[astjp2]

Re: float flying questions

People prefer the 1320's over edo 1400's due to the actual shape of the bottoms of the floats, the benefits of get off time on the 1320s outweighs the added flotation of the 1400 edo's. I have a friend that has Aqua's and wishes he had his 1320s back. I have hears similar comments about the Baumans too. Tim

[PA1195]

Re: float flying questions

Tim's right on the 1320's if you watch the GW.

The GW STC increase only converts to the "equivalent" of either a BC12D-4-85 at 1351 on floats, or Model 19 at 1500 on conventional gear. The original model TCDS specs and approved Items remain the same. Taylorcraft tested and approved only the EDO 1320 and 1400's on the BC12D-4-85, and never approved floats via the TCDS for the Model 19 and later versions. Other STC's did that approval.

Aqua 1500's are only approved for F-19, F-21, F-21A: http://aquafloat.com/products/aqua-model-1500/ You'd need a Field Approval for earlier Taylorcrafts. Pick a number, take a seat, and wait.

Baumann BF1500's were certified on Taylorcraft BC, BC12D, BC12D-85, BC12D-4-85, Model 19, F-19, F-21 (think I'm close). No approval needed. Tend to be expensive and rare as out of production for 10+ years.

Up to the mid 1400's the EDO 1320's will perform well, and as Tim notes, will outperform the EDO 1400's and Aqua 1500. The latter both have draggy flat versus the curved bottoms on the 1320's and BF1500. The 1320's weigh 165# so the useful load after conventional gear removal may approach that of heavier floats. The Baumann BF1500's perform somewhat better (more displacement than the 1320's) but still they have been sunk at their gross weight. For the $ the 1320's are the best deal if you mind the weight and cross winds.

The maximum permissible gross weight of a seaplane is governed by the buoyancy of the floats and other factors like performance and airframe strength. The buoyancy of a seaplane float is equal to the weight of fresh water displaced by the immersed part of the float. This is equal to the weight the float will support without sinking beyond a predetermined level (draught line).

The buoyancy is designated by its model number (sometimes close if marketing doesn't get involved). A single 1320 float has EDO's stated buoyancy of 1320 lbs, so a seaplane fitted with a pair of 1320 floats has a maximum buoyancy of 2640 lbs. Regulations require an 80% reserve float buoyancy as floats must have a buoyancy equal to 180% of the weight of the airplane.

To find the maximum gross weight of a seaplane fitted with 1320 model floats that has the 80% reserve, multiply the individual float buoyancy by 2 and divide by 1.8 (1320 x 2)/1.8 = 1466 lbs. Another method is to simply divide the single float weight by 0.9.

Gary

[swoeric]

Re: float flying questions

thanks a ton.. thats is the most useful information i have read yet about floats

[PA1195]

Re: float flying questions

A post note on Baumann floats. They were first advertised as 1420's pending STC approval. Then they became BF1500's and I heard they had shortened the length at the rear, but never confirmed that. I also don't know if the Taylorcraft STC allows a gross weight change. They are listed at 197# including fittings.

Gary

[Dick Smith]

Re: float flying questions

This link is from a Piper forum, but the info re: 1320's and 1400's and the differences between the two may be of interest to you.


http://www.supercub.org/forum/showth...floats-rigging Dick

[PA1195]

Re: float flying questions

The 1400 EDOs originally came without bottom boosters called scallops. After EDO realized they were dogs compared to the earlier 1320's they added that part. Helps lift the float and break suction at the step I believe. EDO 1650 and 2000's have them. Eddie Peck can make them as owner supervised parts.

The AOA Dick linked is interesting but that's Pipers. My former neighbor at the float pond had a set of the 1400's with scallops on a C-75 Taylorcraft, and with the right prop got his float rating ok. I never flew the plane but it's back in Fairbanks so we'll see it perform next summer. I'd not pass them up if available and for the right price with Taylorcraft rigging.

Gary