Braddock, VC Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 This is really a question for David; I've recently been looking for flying sites, and in the course of my searching have found a potential water plane site for the "odd occasion" out of the tourist season.It's a small lake on some waste ground that is about 100 metres by 30 metres though there are reed beds at one end restricting the length to about 65 metres.I've an ARC Cardinal with a saito 82 in it, before I push the boat out and get floats is there enough space to take off in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 Hi John I'm going to ask Graham to reply here as he flies off the wet stuff..David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Braddock, VC Posted December 15, 2007 Author Share Posted December 15, 2007 Thanks DA, sorry I mixed your names up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Young Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Hi I'm part way through building a Catalina PBY-5 (the water only version), and would be interested in hearing of any suitable "wet bits" in the Midlands area - anyone out there fly waterplanes in the Midlands? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flytilbroke Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Given enough power and a head wind along the length I think there is enough. The head wind will give a "chop" on the surface of the water and greatly helps the plane unstick. On calm water, planes can be a bit reluctant to lift and then it could be pretty marginal. The Cardinal along with many if not most others, benefits from an engine in the upper power range when used with floats. Landing now, is shorter on water after touch down, although on as short a stretch as this the ability to touch near the "begining" of the landing zone will be very useful. Approach Splash-down slowly as the kangaroo hop can go a long way. Let us know how you get on please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Ashby 123 Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 Hi John, I'll check the size of our water venue and let you know. The Cessna needs a bit more space than most so it's worth checking. Hold tight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Mackie Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 Hi Graham, ive been thinking of trying to fly from water, and would like to know where i can buy a pair of floats to support between 5 & 6 lb, ready built or in kit form. any suggestions? Mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 Hi Mick, I'll reply for Graham as he's away. Best thing is to ring around a few shops to see if anyone has something in stock. Graham likes the VMAR floats (which would suit your requirement) so a Macgregor/JR stockist should be able to order them if they're not on the shelves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Mackie Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 Thanks for the advice David i'll do that. Mick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Whiting Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 John, I have been float plane flying for a number of years, I personally think you pond it a little small,you might just manage length ways, but 65m is soon gobbled up with a float plane . Any hint of cross wind just don't bother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Chaddock Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 JohnHow deep is your lake? It will not matter for the plane itself but have you thought of recovery if you crash it on the water? As Eric says wind will blow a floating model to shore fast enough but what if it is broken? Even at landing speeds water is remarkably hard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Braddock, VC Posted August 29, 2008 Author Share Posted August 29, 2008 Thanks for your help chaps, the site is not a goer, it's a sssi.I have a 10' boat and outboard for recovery so that'snot a major issue.I live in Kent and being close to the sea would have thought that water, in large enough doses, wasn't a problem. It would seem that most lakes are dug to provide fishing which can provide a good living and people just don't want another, transient, user.The search goes on...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flytilbroke Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 Come down in size and you could manage it. Some of the leccy types can be mounted succesfully on floats. At one of our Loch Earn splashin`s one chap was flying A "Panic" biplane fitted with floats, on what was just a large puddle behind a gravelly sandbank. Much less space than the bit you were proposing.Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Wood Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 A friend of mine went to Windermere yesterday and hopes to return in September. I would like to join him as I have an apprentice electric, that only requires about 5 ft to unstick on tarmac. and lands at a very low speed. Any idea about floats as it is only about 2lb in weight. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Bagley Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Hello all, Sorry I've not been around for a while, but a few of lifes' little complications occurred, old age can be hard sometimes!!! This thread caught my eye as during the nineteen eighties, I purchased a flying boat kit. I can't recall the name, but it was a sleek looking single engine scale job made by Pilot kits. It went together perfectly and resplendant in pure white, with all the red scale trim, it really looked the part. Near to where I then lived in Oxfordshire was a reclaimed quarry tuned into a lake which our local club had gained access to. I took the model to the lake and over the nex three weeks or so, I managed to give my clubmates much amusement with my antics with this confounded machine! It just point point bankedly refused to fly. I originally installed an O.S 40 as per instructions,beautiful motor that ran like a dream. No lift. "more ower" said the local"expert", so an OS60 was installed, this did give it more speed, bigger bow waves, quicker to the point where the speed boat chaps did incredibly sharp turns to avoid various objects on the surface, but still no air under the hull. Again, "more power" came from the expert, so, you guessed, an OS90 was duly installed. A few hundred pounds the poorer, I arrived again, by now it had becme time for all other modelling activito cease to enable the crowd of so called "mates" to assemble for another round of jeers and belly laughs, all in good fun ofcourse! A quick few checks and we were off again, wow, youshould have seen the speed on the water of the thing, and the flying spray behind it! It suddenly lifted to a few inches above the water, refusing to climb any further. In the adrenalin rush that accompnied this achieved flying state, I forgot to observe the members netting boundary fence. The model became a shredded bag of grot, the club members and I retired to the Pub,and I have never ever attemted a flying boat again!!! All the best to you all, Jack. Edited By Timbo - Moderator on 30/03/2009 22:48:52 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flytilbroke Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Peter, If you want to buy rather than make your own then some of the main dealers have I think, "Multiplex" planes for which they also have floats for purchase To build your own I would normally point in the direction of Alisdair Sutherlands' guide on the Garnock Valley MAC website, however I have been unnable to access this recently. I have his guide on a PDF file and this could be used as a guide to what is required. Foam, or lightweight Balsa floats would work ok for a light small plane. If you would like this PDF file, PM me with your E-mail address Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowerman Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 ARC Range of kits (now thunderpower) have a float kit in their range. I have seen the Ready and the carausel on floats and both were great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowerman Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 Correction - Not Thunderpower - Amerang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Wood Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 I could not find Amerang or Garnock Valley MAC website,, and the Multiplex ones are just under £50, a little too much Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowerman Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Amerang / Thunderpower. Same thing. (senior moment, comes with the bus pass) See ad in april RCM&E. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flytilbroke Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 I did say I have not been able to access the GVMAC website, I also said something else too Sorry Eric, some Flying-boats and floatplanes may need treated like like that, I have not found this to be the norm though. Most will get onto the "step" quite readily, although a little bit ripple or wave can often be helpful to get some of them to unstick. A wave effect can be made by a taxi run or two, then do the takeoff run across it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terence Lynock Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 I prefer to use the mother-in-law Eric..... regards, Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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