FLOATS, HULLS AND SKIS

AC43.13 Chapter 9
Systems Maintenance Chapter 3
FLOATS
HULL
 FLOATS
• Light, strong and water-tight
• Do not add much drag
• Designed aerodynamically to fly

• Retractable wheels sometimes added

(amphibious)
 HULLS
• Landing loads are distributed over the entire hull
area
• More difficult to construct must be water tight
and resistant to corrosion
• Contains accommodation for crew, passengers
combining float and fuselage
 FLOATS
Main components • Chine:
• Deck: – outboard edges of the
– top surface of the float float
• Keel: • Bulkheads
– bottom most surface of • Step
the float • Rudder - water
– center line • Spreader bars
longitudinally
• Bracing wires
• Cleats
 FLOAT CONSTRUCTION
• Attachment fittings for under carriage attachment

• All compartments are water tight – sealed with a

sloshing compound

• Access plates, for inspection and repair

 FLOATS
• Corrosion protection:
– anodizing, primer and painted

• Corrosion is very common in salt water

operation.
– desalinate daily!!
 FLOAT INSPECTION ITEMS
• Floats – loose rivets, leaks, corrosion, dents

• Rudders – springs, cables – frayed, corroded

• Test floats for leaks- support ends and middle,

fill with water, mark leaks
• After repair fill again 24hrs-AC 43-13 pg 9-7
 AMPHIBIOUS FLOATS
• Landing gear must be retracted before landing
on the water landing… or else
 FLOAT DISPLACEMENT
• Cessna 180: EDO 2870 floats

• Each float is rated according to the weight

it can support
– based on weight of the actual volume of fresh
water they displace
AC 43.13 page 9-6
Systems page 3-5

SKIS
 SKIS
• Used for operation on ice or snow

• Made of wood, aluminum, or composite material

• Bottoms have low density plastic on bottom

(wear)
 SKIS
• Types:
– Wheel replacement
– Wheel ski
– Retractable wheel ski
 SKIS
Types:
• Wheel replacement type:
– remove wheel and install ski
– shock cord and check cables trim the ski for flight and
prevent it from pivoting through too great of an angle
 SKIS
Types:
• Wheel ski:
– mounted on aircraft with tire
– tire extends below ski slightly to permit landing on
hard runways
– small wheel on heel of ski prevents dragging on
runway
 SKIS
Types:
• Retractable wheel ski:
– mounted on a common axle with wheel
– will extend below wheel for snow operation
– retracted above wheel for runway operation
– hydraulically operated (Cessna 180) (Fluidyne)
Airglas Skis
Fluidyne Skis
 Shock cord

Rear check Front check

cable cable
Tail ski
Hydraulic
lines feeding
brakes and
skis
Hydraulic
actuator inside
ski, under panel
Wheel will climb on to
ski when skis are in
use
Ski extend and retract
handle
Ski Position
Indicator
DC – 3 ON SKIS
DC – 3 ON SKIS