Amphibians. Suitability for rough terrain landing?

[Fozzer]

Hello Chums... ...!

This is a Flight Sim question, but applies equally to "real" aircraft!

Amphibian aircraft were designed to function perfectly on water, but considering their fragile-looking undercarriage, are they really suitable for landing on rough/uneven ground with the undercarriage lowered, eg; grass, dirt, etc, or are they really only suitable for safe landing on "hard" runway surfaces?

Presumably they can be "driven" carefully from the water onto the land, given a suitable slope, but what about actually "landing" on what may be considered "rough terrain"... ...?

Cheers all... ...!

F....Piper PA22 Tripacer Amphibian... 8-)...!

[C]

I admit that I wouldn't like to try!

[Brett_Henderson]

I'd imagine that truly amphibious planes... like a Goose, Albatross or even a little Lake Renagade.. can handle other than paved runways. I'm not so sure about "normal" planes, retrofitted with floats and their spindly little wheels...

[FLYING_TRUCKER]

Goodmorning F...

The undercarriage on flying boats like the Catalina and some of the Grumman line of aircraft are much stronger than the undercarriage on a normal float equipped aircraft.

However having said that the military had/have several different types of undercarriages for their float aircraft, fighters and utility aircraft, designs or modifications for paved strips, aircraftcarriers and for off paved strips like grass, gravel etc.

[Fozzer]

Thanks for all the replies, Lads...!

The little Piper PA22 Tripacer Amphibian, which I am so fond of flying in the Sim, has such fragile-looking front wheels and main wheels that I have a great fear of collapsing them, and damaging the Floats when landing on rough terrain, even on flat grass!

A typical example illustrating the fragile undercarriage...>>>>



Cheers all... ...!

F....G-BPLF.... 8-)...!

[ozzy72]

F George Pickering (who was a Supermarine test pilot) used to land the Walrus on grass strips to show how solid it was (a brick out-house with wings)

[Fozzer]

F George Pickering (who was a Supermarine test pilot) used to land the Walrus on grass strips to show how solid it was (a brick out-house with wings)

Goodmorning again F...

Here is a little more information for you.

This is not custom floats or floats modified, these are last years prices roughly for off the shelf products.
I did not price skis for you but that could be easily done.

Type                                    Aircraft                   Price                Kit                  Installation Price
Amphibious                DeHaviland Twin Otter     $413,600.00     $99,400.00         $43,055.00
Seaplane                   DeHaviland Twin Otter      $237,600.00       $89.760.00                  same
Amphibious                DeHaviland Otter             $217,000.00    $47,800.00         $35,800.00
Seaplane                   DeHaviland Otter             $131,600.00        same                  same
Amphibious                DeHaviland Beaver          $144,800.00    $55,300.00         $10,400.00
Seaplane                   DeHaviland Beaver          $67,300.00      $48,500.00         $7,100.00
Amphibious                Cessna-185                    $69,400.00      $16,000.00         $8,200.00
Seaplane                   Cessna-185                    $32,900.00      $11,600.00         $5,400.00

Hope this gives you a rough idea of the cost of amphibious floats or basic seaplane floats for several types.  
Now insurance...Shop around.  

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

Ozzy...

I think our Doug is trying to encourage me to swap my trusty Motor-bike for a DeHaviland Beaver Floatplane.... ....!

(Cheaper to fit a Sidecar to my 'Bike?).... ...!

...what do you reckon?......!
LOL.... ...!

Many thanks Doug, for the info....
...It goes to show just how expensive a Float or Amphibian alternative to a standard aircraft can be!

F..... 8-)...!

[FLYING_TRUCKER]

Here is a little more information on seaplane floats and amphibious floats for you.  

These are last years off the shelf prices, no modifications or extras.  

Aircraft                               Float Type     Float $         Kit $                      Installation $

DHC Twin Otter                   Amphibious    413,600       99,440                  43,055
DHC Twin Otter                   Seaplane       237,600       89,760                  33,696

DHC Otter                          Amphibious    217,100       47,800                  12,604
DHC Otter                          Seaplane       131,600       35,800                    9,300

DHC Beaver                       Amphibious    144,800       55,300                   10,400
DHC Beaver                       Seaplane         67,300       48,500                     7,100

Cessna 185                        Amphibious      69,400       16,000                     8,200
Cessna 185                        Seaplane         32,900       11,600                     5,400

Piper PA-22?                      Amphibious      13,200         8,000                     3,900
Piper PA-22?                      Seaplane           6,600         same                     same

Hope this gives you an idea of the price of amphibious floats and basic floats for a variety of aircraft of different weights and size.  
Sorry I did not check out the price of wheel ski kits or basic skis, but again they vary just like float kits by aircraft size and weight.
There are a few manufacturers of floats/amphibious floats and skis and this is just one manufacturers price.

Floats are fantastic, like skis they open a new horizon for the general aviation bug smashing drivers, like sex and a good brandy once you have tried it you won't look back.    ;)  

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug            

[ozzy72]

If you bolt the sidecar onto the Blade I reckon you'll have one of the fastest 3-wheelers in Herefordshire if not England

[FLYING_TRUCKER]

Hi F  

I did over the graph to make it easier for everyone interested.  

You are right about the cost of amphibious floats or just seaplane floats.  I have seen new amphibious floats cost twice the price of the used aircraft.  :o

Shopping around for used or refurbished floats can be tricky as well, you really should have an experience floatplane aviator with you for advice and to check the floats over for previous damage.

Insurance is another item which should be shopped around for, it varies from company to company and can be based on pilot experience as well.

A new float plane pilot might be limited by the flying school where he can go with their floatplane as well, until he gains experience a new rated float plane pilot who is renting may find himself restricted to certain lakes and areas by the flying school.  
Going for your float plane rating make sure you check the rental agreement and find out about what the insurance covers for the renting flying school.  You will probably get your  eyes opened on this one.  

Hope I was of some help.  

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

[Hagar]

If you bolt the sidecar onto the Blade I reckon you'll have one of the fastest 3-wheelers in Herefordshire if not England

Ah, but can it float? http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/workshop/4217932.html

[Fozzer]

If you bolt the sidecar onto the Blade I reckon you'll have one of the fastest 3-wheelers in Herefordshire if not England

Ah, but can it float? http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/workshop/4217932.html

Now that's my sort of Motorbike-aviating!... [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]...!!

Cheers Doug... ... ...!

F.... 8-)...!

...just played the Video....Fantastic...!!