Flying Event Float Flying

One of the real thrills in R/C flying is to see a model equipped with floats lightly touch down, skim across the water and lift back off without a bounce.Although there are some differences specific to float flying, for the most part it is not that much different from flying off of land. Listed below is what I see, after twenty years of active float flying, as eight key elements to successful float flying:

1. The length of your floats should be 75-80% of your fuselage length (As measured from the prop disk to the rudder hinge)

2. The step of the float should be located 1/2 to 1 inch behind the CG

3. 10% of the total length of the float should be ahead of the prop disk

4. Wing incidence should be 1-3 degrees positive when the top of the float is level

5. Any model which has enough power for "brisk" performance off of a grass runway can handle the addition of floats

6. Do install a water rudder

7. Avoid cross wind take-offs

8. Take-off speed can be deceptive on water. Take a longer than usual take-off run.

Heart of America Float Fly