Float Plane

[John]

How do you stop the Float Plane, in the water? I tryed reverse thrust that seemed to do it, But when you let up on the key, it goes again.

[ashaman]

Try feathering. Failing that, if your plane has no feathering (like some single engines), once stopped shut off the engine.

[Fozzer]

Remember that conventional "brakes" don't work in water......!!
(Imagine you are trying to walk on ice)...!

Land at the slowest speed possible, and shut the engine down if you want to stop as quickly as possible....
Whilst the propeller is turning it will attempt to propel you forward... ...!

..and keep in mind, it takes a LONG, LONG TIME to stop in water... ...!

Maneuvering a float plane in water is an art in itself, and generally requires a few "change of type" lessons with an instructor to gain a "Float Plane" addition to your Licence..... 8-)...!

Paul...Getting his feet wet.... 8-)...!

Tip: Keep the front tip of the floats raise slightly when landing and taking off, to prevent them from dipping into the water and causing a "nose-over".....and sinking... ...!!

[Joe_D]

Correct me if I'm wrong but, isn't he correct procedure for landing a float plane to (slowly) fly the AC down to the water as opposed to letting the AC settle down as on land?

It this is correct, isn't landing a float plane as slow as possible a bit unrealistic?
Personally, I find the friction between the floats and water in FSX a bit too low and it allows the AC to continue to move forward for what seems like a unrealistic long time.

IMO, FS9 had too much float friction and FSX has too little.

[wji]

Here's a 36-second Youtube video demonstrating the way I stop the FSX, Beaver-on-floats.

[Joe_D]

Here's a 36-second Youtube video demonstrating the way I stop the FSX, Beaver-on-floats.

I must admit that I have stopped the Beaver in the same manor when it just would not stop otherwise.  ;D

[ashaman]

FS9 with the modded sim1.dll for lesser friction is a lot better than default, but some floatplanes (like the very same default C208) keep creeping on at idle on water, so I know how it is even not having FS10 installed. Fortunately some of those planes (like the before mentioned default) allow for reverse and even feather, so the problem can be patched, to a degree.

My suggestion is to do the same. If the need is to stay in water with the prop rotating, better ensure that the blades are feathered, or else shut off the engine.

The only way to brake in water is the prop reverse. No reverse, no brake. End of story. :-/

[beanoboy]

When I need to stop all I need to do is reverse thrust and then do a few sharp turns and it slows down and then justs stands still and that works for me

[jlvandem]

While on the topic of float planes...
Is the Goose supposed to fall to one side or the other when it slows down? I always kind of assumed the aircraft was heavy enough that it had balance.

[Joe_D]

While on the topic of float planes...
Is the Goose supposed to fall to one side or the other when it slows down? I always kind of assumed the aircraft was heavy enough that it had balance.

Are you lowering the Goose wing tip floats when landing on water?

[jlvandem]

Whoa!? Lower them? How do I do that?

[Joe_D]

Whoa!? Lower them? How do I do that?

There is a switch on the ovehead panel

Or you can assign keys to do it.

There are entries in the key assignments to lower and raise wing floats but there are no keys assigned by default.
I  have assigned "control+/" to lower them and "control +," to raise them as this is simular to what I use in FS9 and is free  to use in  FSX

[flymo]

fozzer's procedure is correct, or atleast its the way i always do it, u have to touch down at the slowest possible speed, so that you dnt end up skimming across the water for ages. then apply your reverse thrust w/e and shut down the engine

[Fozzer]

I love the old Float Planes... ...!

They always take a lot of forethought when taking off and landing in water...!

It can be quite dangerous if care is not taken to examine the surface for hidden logs, shallow water, the direction of the wind and any waves, the length of the available water, etc, before taking off and landing... ...!

..and of course if you are not flying an "amphibian" (fitted withe wheels!), what is going to happen if your engine decides to fail whilst your are flying overland... ....
....arse!....badly damaged and punctured floats.... ...!
...LOL... ...!

Otherwise, they are excellent craft for flying in the "outback" containing lots of lakes and water-ways...camping* and fishing... 8-)...!

Paul... 8-)...!

* not to be confused by dubious activities carried out by Sailors on board ship...(in the Navy!)...  :o...  :-*....... ...!

LOL... ...!

[Hagar]

I'm sure I read somewhere that the FSX water is less like marmalade than that in FS2002/4. This makes it easier to take off but might explain why it's more difficult to stop. I don't know which is the more realistic but you can't have it both ways.*

Most float planes have very low landing speeds so the secret is to pick a nice long stretch of water & touch down as slowly as possible.**

*PS. I'm sure our Foz will make something out of that.

**PPS. Directly into wind if possible.