Seaplane Rating begins!

[Chris In Milwaukee]

As I'm absolutely planning for a life on the water in my plane (when it isn't frozen solid, of course). My wife bought me an early birthday present today of my first seaplane lesson! 1.3 hours in a Citabria 150 on straight floats. What an amazing experience!

https://vimeo.com/232282151

[sbmurphey]

Absolutely awesome!

[Olm]

Hi Chris,
Nice experience. Are you going to build bearhawk SP?

[Chris In Milwaukee]

Hi Chris,
Nice experience. Are you going to build bearhawk SP?

I plan to build it with the accommodations for floats, including seaplane doors and ventral fin. I probably won't put it on floats right away since amphibs are pretty spendy. I live on dry land, but my cabin is on the water, so can't (conveniently) use straight floats.

The Bearhawk Book describes the changes that need to be made to the structure in the middle of the plane for floats (tubing size in a couple of places. I think the QB kits have these in them already, but @markgoldberg can tell us for sure.

[Mark Goldberg]

Chris, my recollection is that you are correct. But I am not 100% sure. I have my seaplane training scheduled for the end of Oct at Jack Brown's seaplane base in Florida. Right before the Deland airshow. Mark

[Chris In Milwaukee]

Looking forward to hearing of your adventure!

[Olm]

To speak about Patrol, as I could understand there are two different type of seaplaneas: it can be with changed tubing size and with two doors(on both sides). The two doors is sold as QB kits, and there is no information in the book.

[Bdflies]

Got my SES in '94. Had a Kitfox on amphibs for several years. Absolutely the most fun I ever had in an airplane! Float flying is a whole different world.
Have fun Chris! You too Mark!


Bill

[Chris In Milwaukee]

To speak about Patrol, as I could understand there are two different type of seaplaneas: it can be with changed tubing size and with two doors(on both sides). The two doors is sold as QB kits, and there is no information in the book.

I don't remember if I have read about anyone putting the Patrol on floats yet. Perhaps those that are doing it will let us know. While I have Patrol plans, I haven't yet spent a lot of time reviewing them and the Bearhawk Patrol Book. The Patrol's fuselage is a lot simpler in the area behind the vertical post at the rear spar carry through. The cargo doors on the 4-place make that area on the right side more of a challenge to stabilize, I imagine, which is probably why those tubes were made thicker for seaplanes: to prevent buckling. I imagine if you sent an email to Bob, he could tell you for certain if any changes should be made to the Patrol.