Performance on Floats

[flykenken]

Re: Performance on Floats

With a 71/41 prop and 1320 floats you are underpropped and when heavy you are underfloated as well. Everything has its plus and minuses. By being underpropped you aren't normally overworking the engine and you have some extra rpm when you need it. And with a shorter prop you pick up less water when heavy or in rough conditions. The shorter prop also lets you turn in a smaller radius in the air. With 1500s you now carry over 30 extra lbs which once you are airborne hurt your climb and cruise (not to mention over 5 percent of your useful load) so now you may have to do that extra circle to get over the ridge - or just follow the river valley which means more gas and even more weight and less useful load. For me I want less weight. The pluses of the 1500 floats is they will handle rough water better and alot of 1320s are old and tired and may need alot of work to keep floating so if you don't already have floats then 1500s might be the way to go. I'd also recommend a skylite on floats as you will be way more comfortable doing medium bank turns in slow flight at low level and steep turns when cruising.

[d.a.]

Re: Performance on Floats

NY86,
Thanks for the info. It would be great if they would sell an extra long prop for Continentals for added take off performance. Same principal as a Borer Prop.
D.A.

[NY86]

Re: Performance on Floats

Is it possible to get full length 76 inch props, legalities aside?

Yeah, but not to fit (mechanically) these engines...

McCauley makes 1B90CM props up to 78", but they won't approve them in that length for any known engine. the longest is a 76 on an A65.

[d.a.]

Re: Performance on Floats

An interesting side note to this thread has been individual’s assessments of the performance of the various floats that are available. I’ve always thought the EDO 1320s were the float of choice for T-Crafts and Cubs. Now I’m hearing they might be a little under floated for a T-Craft. The 1400s have more buoyancy but some don’t like the flat bottoms. The Aquas are heavy possibly, I think I saw somewhere that PeeKay makes a T-Craft float and everyone seems to like the Bauman 1500.

I would be curious to read everyone’s opinion on the available floats. In order of preference, which ones do you like, which ones do you not like as much and why. I’d also be curious how many floats are useable on a T-Craft. I think I also saw a reference to Bauman 1420s?

[d.a.]

Re: Performance on Floats

Is it possible to get full length 76 inch props, legalities aside?

[NY86]

Re: Performance on Floats

Th Is a 76AK-2-40 actually 76 inches long?

This designation means they started with the 76AK forging, which is 76" long, cut 2" off to make a 74" prop, and pitched it to 40".

[Chris in Idaho]

Re: Performance on Floats

Yes, sounds like you've taught him well. What prop are you running?

[MNJoe]

Re: Performance on Floats

Mine is a modified BC-12D The intereseting part is my 18 year old son's landing on the water are better then mine!! Guess I taught him well.

Joe

[Chris in Idaho]

Re: Performance on Floats

I have a 46 BC12D with a C-90-12F and Sensenich 76AK-2-40 prop...about 8-10 seconds to takeoff solo....2-200# people and the nose tank full about 14-16 seconds...I have Baumann 1500 floats and my plane is around 840 E.W. on floats. I also have a 46 BC12D with a C-85....16 seconds solo, 24 seconds with 2-200# guys....the C-90 with the 76AK-2-40 is a lot better performer....same floats...C-85 version is 20lbs heavier though.

http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/f...t=100_1151.flv

That's a pretty impressive video! Thanks for the numbers, the 90 horse seems like quite a performer. Is a 76AK-2-40 actually 76 inches long? What did you have to do to get the C90 approved on the BC12D?

MNJoe, is your 100hp Tcraft a F-19 or a modified B?

Thanks again
Chris

[Dano"T"]

Re: Performance on Floats

I have a 46 BC12D with a C-90-12F and Sensenich 76AK-2-40 prop...about 8-10 seconds to takeoff solo....2-200# people and the nose tank full about 14-16 seconds...I have Baumann 1500 floats and my plane is around 840 E.W. on floats. I also have a 46 BC12D with a C-85....16 seconds solo, 24 seconds with 2-200# guys....the C-90 with the 76AK-2-40 is a lot better performer....same floats...C-85 version is 20lbs heavier though.

http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/f...t=100_1151.flv

[MNJoe]

Re: Performance on Floats

Chris,

I'm sure Dano will post his performance also. I have a 100hp with the Baumann floats one 185lb guy and 15 gallons of gas I can get off the water in 11-12 seconds the airplane has an electrical system. Two guys and 20 gallons of gas about 20-24 seconds. I had an 85hp T-craft with Edo 1320 and wouldn't even be on step by the time this t-craft is flying.

Joe

[AKbrew]

Re: Performance on Floats

Hi Chris,

I'm fairly new to the float game...but I completely agree with all of the previous comments. With one person the T-Craft is a great performer on water. With a passenger you have to pick your spots and pay attention! It still does fine for me...just not AWESOME as it does with a solo pilot. This is my first summer on floats and I'm having a blast. As noted previously, pay attention to airspeed and coordination, and check your weight and balance. Do what you have been trained to do and you will have a whole lot of fun!

Jim

[Chris in Idaho]

Re: Performance on Floats

Thanks guys.

[flykenken]

Re: Performance on Floats

Well Chris if you are asking what a tcraft on floats is like with 2 people think of how your tcraft performs on wheels with 2 people, then add 100 lbs and alot of drag to that and you have your answer. As for comparing a lite Tcraft to a lite Supercub or PA12...well that is the same as saying a greyhound is faster than a husky in a race... which dog is gonna pull your sled? A Kitfox on floats will takeoff way quicker than a tcraft, cruise 10 mph faster and seats 2 small people in extreme discomfort and not good in turbulence. A ridgerunner (small cub single seat) will get off the water even quicker but cruises at 65mph - with a slight tailwind. A taylorcraft on floats has to be flown. It ain't jam the throttle pull the stick. So you pick your days, you pick your lakes and you pick your spot to land on those lakes. There are lots of days that the lake you want to go to isn't a one person option let alone 2 - so find a lake that is an option or mow the lawn. The question you have to ask yourself is what is your mission and what can you afford. Absolutely hands down the Supercub is the best 2 seat float plane but it with the high lift wing you are always struggling to keep wings level on hot days. For me Tcraft is the best way to go and I like it.

[Jim Hartley]

Re: Performance on Floats

No electric, Chris. 801 pounds empty weight on wheels and 885 pounds empty weight on floats. On floats the empty weight C.G. range is (15.8) to (17.6) at 1351 pounds gross weight. My aircraft has an empty weight C.G. of 17.1 inches aft of datum...very close to the aft limit.

With two guys at 170 pounds each( yeah...Right) and 50 pounds of baggage and 11 gallons of fuel(Close) I am at gross weight. When I fly at gross I make shallow turns and use full power in steep turns and the ball is centered.

Many people in this country use their aircraft like a truck. They load them up with out doing any weight and balance computations and every year several meet their demise because of loading their airplane to over gross,flying uncoordinated,stalling and spinning in. Unfortunately most flight training is done with the aircraft lightly loaded and flight characteristics are quite different from those of an aircraft loaded to gross weight...or greater.

Jim