What is the penalty of amphibious floats over straight floats?

Amphibious floats contain heavy hydraulic retraction gear and brakes, typically reducing payload capacity by 300-500 lbs compared to straight (water-only) floats.

Technical FAQ

How does saltwater affect MTOW?

Saltwater is denser than freshwater. This provides greater buoyancy and surface tension, allowing slightly heavier loads to get on the step, but increases galvanic corrosion risk necessitating specialized coatings.

What is the weight penalty of amphibious floats?

Amphibious floats contain heavy hydraulic gear, actuators, and brakes. This typically reduces payload capacity by 300 to 500 lbs compared to straight (water-only) floats, significantly impacting commercial yield.

Why are steps required on floats?

The step breaks the hydrodynamic suction (Coanda effect) of the water against the aft section of the hull, allowing the aircraft to plane rather than remaining locked in a displacement mode.