How to launch a float plane in the prairies

[Deanjo]

Wasn't sure where to put this but here in Saskatoon we use Chevy's to launch float planes.

 

 

[OldBlue61]

That's pretty damn cool!

[Silverado4x4]

Ok, now I wanna see him land it back on the trailer.

[06pirate]

Lots of place do that. Here's one from the truck's viewpoint:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88o4UhSeCx0

 

And a Cub does it:

 

 

 

Many years ago here in Washington State, some guys were doing this and forgot one of the tie-down ropes to the trailer and wadded it up.

[Rock1500]

The real question is how it got there in the first place.

 

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

[06pirate]

The real question is how it got there in the first place.

 

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

I spent many years working on floatplanes and seaplanes and flying boats and other general aviation junk. I never used the trailer trick, our shop was at the south end of Lake Washinton. The plane flies in on wheels, you hoist it up, pull the wheels off, and stick the floats on. A first-time installation can take a day or so depending on airplane and float types. Once it has been setup, you can usually do the swap in a few hours. Then, hoist it onto the trailer, and Bob's Yer Uncle. If you have water access, forklift or other lifting vehicle into the water. Amphib floats (the ones with retractable wheels) make it a lot easier, but they weigh a lot more, and don't perform quite as well. Floats-to-wheels, you really need water to land on safely. In an emergency, you can set a floatplane down on land and get away with it if you are smooth and have a good surface, but it isn't recommended for repitition, it's a little hard on the floats.

[2018GMC]

That's awesome. Thanks for posting he videos. Are 100mph speed limiters removed from tow trucks? Or it doesn't require going over 100mph to launch?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[barry G]

That's awesome. Thanks for posting he videos. Are 100mph speed limiters removed from tow trucks? Or it doesn't require going over 100mph to launch?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

given the sound of the boxer, I bet 80 does it.

 

that was one hard engine in the video.

[MikeNH]

That's awesome. Thanks for posting he videos. Are 100mph speed limiters removed from tow trucks? Or it doesn't require going over 100mph to launch?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

 

Not needed. I bet liftoff occurs at around 50-60 MPH, if not less.

[Colossus]

That is correct, most of those small planes only need 60-65 MPH max for enough lift to be generated. vs 140-150+ for the large airliners.