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CFI A&P said:
Is this your first exposure to a seaplane, or are you experienced? Either way I'd be curious to hear your feedback on that airframe.
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First exposure to seaplane.

Aircraft was louder than I anticipated. Cruise power was typically 5000 RPM. Very basic cockpit, but forward visibility was great (no propeller, canopy up front). Definitely wouldn't fly it more than ~50NM. Burns maybe 4 GPH on a 20 gallon tank.

Landing is interesting. Water landing you use flaps and land with a lot of power, and landing on land is no flap landing.

Got used to the sight picture very quickly for water but I'll be honest it's a little nerve wracking the first time simply because how low you are vs traditional float planes you're still what a couple feet above? Handles well on the water in my opinion. When you come to a complete stop the aircraft "sinks" and that scared me juuuust a tad bit the first time lol (not to mention water splashing the window). We did a couple of take offs including a turning take off to build speed. Comes off the water around ~40-45 knots? Very smooth. Stops in maybe ~1000 feet? Honestly not sure and not a good judge of distance as it was my first time.

The stall characteristics they advertise are true. There's the wing cuff, VGs everywhere, and stall strips. With full aft stick aircraft essentially was nose level but losing altitude. We tried opposite aileron and rudder inputs as well to demonstrate the spin resistance and didn't get very far. We also demonstrated what I would call a max turn aka got yourself in a canyon and need to do a 180. Maybe takes up 150-200 feet? AoA is heavily emphasized as opposed to the attitude indicator for basically all maneuvers. Easy to read, and has an indicator that shows L/D max which is what you aim to hold for landings.
 
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deadpixel said:
First exposure to seaplane.

Aircraft was louder than I anticipated. Cruise power was typically 5000 RPM. Very basic cockpit, but forward visibility was great (no propeller, canopy up front). Definitely wouldn't fly it more than ~50NM. Burns maybe 4 GPH on a 20 gallon tank.

Landing is interesting. Water landing you use flaps and land with a lot of power, and landing on land is no flap landing.

Got used to the sight picture very quickly for water but I'll be honest it's a little nerve wracking the first time simply because how low you are vs traditional float planes you're still what a couple feet above? Handles well on the water in my opinion. When you come to a complete stop the aircraft "sinks" and that scared me juuuust a tad bit the first time lol (not to mention water splashing the window). We did a couple of take offs including a turning take off to build speed. Comes off the water around ~40-45 knots? Very smooth. Stops in maybe ~1000 feet? Honestly not sure and not a good judge of distance as it was my first time.

The stall characteristics they advertise are true. There's the wing cuff, VGs everywhere, and stall strips. With full aft stick aircraft essentially was nose level but losing altitude. We tried opposite aileron and rudder inputs as well to demonstrate the spin resistance and didn't get very far. We also demonstrated what I would call a max turn aka got yourself in a canyon and need to do a 180. Maybe takes up 150-200 feet? AoA is heavily emphasized as opposed to the attitude indicator for basically all maneuvers. Easy to read, and has an indicator that shows L/D max which is what you aim to hold for landings.
Click to expand...
Can you put 20 gallons in it with 2 people?
 
CFI A&P said:
Is this your first exposure to a seaplane, or are you experienced? Either way I'd be curious to hear your feedback on that airframe.
Click to expand...
I've heard they're difficult to fly if you're loaded up with amphetamines. Then again, that pilot died as he lived, by keeping the pitch down.
 
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