|
|
||
| CHAPTER 3. Components and Systems
Landing Gear for Water and Snow Besides landing gear for land, there are landing gear systems for water (Weight-Shift Control Sea) and snow (skiequipped). If ski-equipped, skis are added to the bottom of the wheels or replace the wheels. If sea-equipped, a complete system provides aircraft fl otation and steering using rudders similar to a boat. The water rudders are foot controlled, similar to WSCL steering on the ground. Two types of seaequipped systems are the fl ying boat and pontoon. The fl ying boat is a solid or infl atable boat that the WSC aircraft fi ts into, and its fuselage is secured to as well. [Figure 3-39] This is generally used for rougher seas in the ocean and, with the extra drag of the boat itself, this typically uses a larger wing and is therefore a slower fl ying WSC aircraft. The boat design is known to be more stable in rough seas and assists in keeping less water from splashing up so pilot and passenger stay dryer.  The pontoon system is used for calmer water, has less drag while fl ying, and therefore can accommodate faster, smaller wings. [Figure 3-40] Both the fl ying boat and the pontoon system need more horsepower than land operations for two reasons: fi rst, to provide enough thrust to accelerate to takeoff speed with the extra drag of the boat or pontoons on the water, and second, to provide enough extra thrust to overcome the additional drag of the boat or pontoons in the air for fl ight.  |
| ŠAvStop Online Magazine Contact Us Return To Books |
