OK, Someone had to ask it: Anyone thought about FLOATS on an RV-10?

I've seen photos of the RV-6. There are also plenty of examples of low-wing planes with floats (one of the Cherokee PA28's was designated with floats).

When I was choosing a kit I almost went with the Murphy Moose because I thought the floats would be very handy (we live on a lake). Of course, my first mission priority was SPEED and Loading. I wanted 200MPH plus at least 1200lbs useful load. So the Moose was obviously out - as was any other float plane.

Now I'm building a -10. And that thought keeps nagging me . . .what if?

Any thoughts?

I doubt you'd get 200mph in a -10 with floats...

PJ
RV-10 #40032

Big bucks

jrdalton said:

Now I'm building a -10. And that thought (floats) keeps nagging me . . .what if? Any thoughts?

Click to expand...

I agree with PJ, forget 200 mph, not even the 300 HP seawind can muster those speeds.

If you are thinking straight floats and not amphib's I am sure some Aerosets would be nice.

http://www.aerocet.com/mambo/

You'll need some hard points to mount and lots of tube. Big bucks but if that turns you on, go for it.

A C-180 lists 141 kts no floats, 123 kt, about 18 kts. The Aerosets are suppose to be cleaner and give up less speed, but count on 10-12 kts (more)? If Van lists 260HP cruise @ 55%/75% pwr as 180/201 mph. So you would cruise 168/188 mph.

The added weight would be about 450 lbs. Again the C-180 wheel v. floats has a empty of 1700 lbs v. 2100 lbs (400 lbs). They raise the float version gross only 150 lbs to 2,950 lbs.

Cost? I see $33,500 / $70,000 for straights/amphib's with hardware. You will have to make your own struts and wires, plus the hard points. A friend has a amphib C-180. It flipped and sunk once. He was flying and dropped down to do a splash and go with me in the right seat. If you are a "Landlubber" like me, your mind panics when landing on water for the first time. You know its OK but in the back of your mind it screams NOT GOOD. You don't usually see jet skies and sail boats landing on runway 16R. The float pilots tell me a low wing can be a pain near the docks.

JR, now that would be really cool. I bet it could probably be done.

What lake are you on? I just got back from Rangeley, Maine (M57) and did some recurrent training in the 172 and 180 they have there.





I would like to see someone do the -10 on floats!

Maybe you should!?!? I would LOVE to fly it!!!

CJ

It's a nice, fast, cross-country traveler, why turn it into something it's not. You may as well put tundra tires on it and fly off of gravel bars.

Czech Aircraft Works makes some generic floats. I don't know if they have anything big enough for the -10.

See here.