Van's Air Force
The definitive Van's Aircraft support community! Buying, building or flying an RV? Join our exclusive family of mentors and enthusiasts!
Floats
- Thread starter Ron B.
- Start date
I think I heard Rian say at the Tech Session that one of his personal motivations for a high wing was to put it on floats…so yes, it is in the future plans.
Thanks Paul
circling2Land
I'm New Here
hopefully amphibian, and a Van's kit.
I think that would be a long way down the road
Norman CYYJ
Well Known Member
Amphibians are very expensive, high maintenance and the insurance is thru the roof. Probably cheaper to own two planes, especially if operating around salt water.
And they take a chunk from the useful load
circling2Land
I'm New Here
Agree with your statements. However, that being said, straight floats are good for the coastal states, MN & Canada. Their utility depends on both user owned (water front property) and non-user owned infrastructure (water adjacent FBOs). Amphibs open the whole of the country without additional demands.
Sacrificing useful load for amphibs is a good trade. Wheels keep the landing & support options wide open.
Let's not forget about snow skis, either.
Sacrificing useful load for amphibs is a good trade. Wheels keep the landing & support options wide open.
Let's not forget about snow skis, either.
I’ve always had amphibious floats. For my flying it’s the only way to go. I’m not a backcountry flyer, I like to go from my grass strip out to lakes. Use to have a cottage on a lake and flying my plane there was about the only reason for having a cottage ( family would disagree but kids grew up and were not visiting). If I decide to build a 15, I’m keeping my 14. I’m thinking about parting with my amphibious AirCam , but I want to test fly the 15 before doing so.
Anyone know when Van’s will be doing demos?
Anyone know when Van’s will be doing demos?
I agree! Currently have a RANS S7 on Full lotus Amphibs and a Murphy Rebel that I have straight floats for but not installed since I do not live on a lake. Unless you have lake property, finding a place to keep it on straight floats limits me, so it's on bushwheels. I do have a set of 1800 amphibs, but they're not built yet. Project for the future. Living in MN the floatplane flying offers nearly endless possibilities, especially here in the northern part of the state. Float flying is the most fun I have ever had in my nearly 40 years of flying.
Only downside to a floatplane, the insurance is astronomically expensive, especially on amphibs.
Are your 1800 Murphy? Just built a set and installed them on a Rebel for a friend.
Yes, they are the Murphy 1800 amphibs, still in the crate. Wanna build mine?
No thank you. Plans leave a lot to be desired. They were a pain as it was difficult to get clarity.Yes, they are the Murphy 1800 amphibs, still in the crate. Wanna build mine?
Wayne O'shea, a Murphy guru, sells a CD with pictures for the constructing them. I bought the CD but a medical issue has my building anything on hold.
Yes, we had the CD, and it was tremendously helpful but not enough for us. Wayne was also very helpful but not always available ( he’s retired and enjoying life, I don’t blame him).
