Seaplane
A seaplane is an aircraft designed to take off and land on water.
Types of Seaplanes
There are two types of seaplane: the float plane and the flying boat. Only the "floats" of a float plane normally come into contact with water. The fuselage remains above water. In a flying boat, the main source of buoyancy is the fuselage, which acts as a hull in the water. Some small, land aircraft can be modified to become float planes. An amphibious aircraft can take off and land on both conventional runways and on water, whereas a true seaplane can only take off and land on water. There are amphibious flying boats and amphibious float planes, as well as some hybrid designs. For example, a seaplane with retractable floats. however, most modern aircraft that are seaplanes that are made, are amphibious and of traditional design.
Seaplanes can only take off and land on water with little or no wave action and like other aircraft, have trouble in extreme weather. The size of wave's a given design can land depends on how big the aircraft is, and the specifics of its shape. Flying boat seaplanes can handle rougher water, and are generally more stable then the float planes on the water.
Early development was carried out at Hammondsport, New York by Glenn Curtiss who had joined with Alexander Graham Bell and others in the Aerial Experiment Association.
One of the largest users of seaplanes are rescue organizations such as coast guards because the same aircraft can be used for spotting and rescuing survivors. Seaplanes are much more fuel-efficient than helicopters and unlike helicopters, can land when they run out of fuel, weather permitting.
Seaplanes are often used in remote areas such as Alaska and the Canadian outback, especially in areas with a large number of lakes convenient for takeoff and landing.
During World War I and II, many navies used seaplanes for reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare. Most battleships carried one or two seaplanes to spot targets over the horizon for the big guns. However, seaplanes are mostly considered obsolete for military purposes.
There numerous modern civilian aircraft that have a floatplane variant usually for light duty transportation to lakes and other remote areas. Flying boats have remained in service for fire-fighting dutes. Often times a amphibious aircraft, that can land on land as well a water has suplanted a pure waterplane.
History of Seaplanes
See also: