Amplified Float Plane Procedures

PIPER PA-18 Float Plane

You may study these procedures below, with accompanying notes and videos, or download the procedures in PDF format for offline studying.

While Walking To the Dock, Preflighting, Before and While Leaving Dock or Beach

  • Wear only non-polarized sunglasses.
  • Where’s the Wind?
  • The Current?
  • Obstacles?
  • What is coming?

PREFLIGHT BRIEFING

  • Confirm life vests have been checked
  • “Do you understand how the seat belt and shoulder harness (if installed for passenger) works?”
  • “Do you know how to open the door?” If not, demonstrate.
  • “Do you know how to inflate your life vests?”
  • “In case of emergency do not inflate your vest until you are outside of the aircraft.”
  • “If needed, we have an oar” (advise location).
  • “There is rope in the float locker.”

ALL ITEMS IN BLUE ARE MEMORY ITEMS THAT YOU MUST “SAY OUT LOUD“. THESE ARE CONSIDERED TRIGGER PHRASES.

THE FOUR TRUTHS OF FLOAT FLYING ARE COLORED GREEN

BEFORE STARTING

  • W – Water Rudder Down
  • F – Fuel Fullest Tank
  • M – Mags
  • M – Mixture
  • M – Master 

STARTING

  • Starter – Engage
    • Cold – 2 Pumps WHILE CRANKING (or more if cold)
    • Hot – WAIT 6 to 10 Revs
      -Do not exceed 800
  • Power – Idle 500 – 600 rpm
  • Carb Heat – ON
  • STICK BACK

*SEAT BELTS AND HEADSETS ON AFTER
CLEAR OF BEACH, DOCK AND OBSTACLES.*

RUN UP

  • Carb Heat – Cold/Off
  • Throttle – 1700 RPM
  • Magnetos – 100 RPM Max drop each, 50 RPM Max. Difference
  • Carb Heat – Hot/On
  • Throttle – Idle
  • Altimeter – Set (500’ at Trail Lake)

NOTE: DURING IDLE TAXI AND RUNUP, STICK BACK AT ALL TIMES TO PREVENT PROPELLER DAMAGE.

First Rise, Second Rise, Neutralize

Watch this 30 second video for a quick visual of the “First Rise, Second Rise, Neutralize” procedure for float plane take-offs that you will learn about in the below “Step Taxi” and “Before Takeoff & Takeoff” procedures. 

STEP TAXI

  • FFUEL FULLEST TANK
  • FFLAPS  none
  • CCARB HEAT COLD/OFF
  • AAREA CLEAR …….Up to this point, no rush.
  • R – WATER RUDDER UP ….. From this point there must be a continuous flow
  • SSTICK BACK until established on the step.

THEN…

  • FULL THROTTLE smoothly
  • FIRST RISE
  • SECOND RISE
  • NEUTRALIZE – Relax back pressure slowly – Feel for drag reduction from back of floats.
  • DO NOT PUSH.
  • POWER – Minimum power required. Approx. 1800-1900 rpm
  • TUNE FOR THE STEP – Optimal planing angle.

STEP TURN

  • LOOK – In the direction of the turn
  • STICK – Slightly into the direction of the turn
  • POWER – Bump up 100 – 150 rpm, simultaneously with the turn
  • TURN –  Coordinated and smooth

NOTES FOR STEP TAXI

  • Stick back for Porpoise
  • Blow the nose down with Power – Add power if you’re falling off the step
  • Lead turns with Power, about 100-150 rpm
  • Step taxi only on Glassy or normal water

BEFORE TAKEOFF & TAKEOFF

Marry The Shoreline!

  • Pick an Abort Point
  • FFUEL FULLEST TANK
  • FFLAPS   One notch for normal and glassy water, 2 notches for rough water
  • CCARB HEAT    COLD/OFF
  • AAREA CLEAR Up to this point, no rush
  • RWATER RUDDER UP From this point, must be a continuous flow
  • SSTICK BACK through the take-off sequence
  • FULL THROTTLE smoothly
  • FIRST RISE
  • SECOND RISE
  • NEUTRALIZE – Let go of the stick, the airplane will find the step. DO NOT PUSH.
  • TUNE FOR THE STEP – Find the attitude that creates the least amount of drag for liftoff.
  • POSITIVE RATE, FLAPS UP
  • 25           2500 rpm
  • 75           mph (Vy)
  • TRIM

CRUISE

  • PITCH – Level
  • POWER – 2400
  • TRIM – Set

BEFORE LANDING

As you are APPROACHING the destination lake
  • CARB HEAT – ON/HOT
  • POWER – 2100 rpm or as required
  • AIRSPEED BELOW 80
  • FLAPS – 1 Notch, Trim for 70 mph
  • FUEL – Fullest Tank
  • RUDDER – Check (Water) Rudder Up DO NOT Land with Water Rudder Down
  • BEFORE LANDING CHECK COMPLETE
  • NOW WE’LL INSPECT THE LAKE – Continuously Inspect for Obstructions and Wind
    • Verbally point out Touchdown Point or Last Visual Reference Point, if Glassy Water, and Go Around Point

FINAL - NORMAL AND ROUGH WATER

Marry The Shoreline!

Plan every landing Power Off, but plan to add and use Power to maintain landing attitude for every landing.

  • 70 mph on final with full flaps
  • When you begin pitch change, continue until you are in the landing attitude
  • Once in landing attitude, hold steady
  • Make necessary adjustments with power for a soft touchdown
    DON’T DROP THE AIRPLANE

FINAL - GLASSY WATER

Get Very Married To The Shoreline!

YOU CAN’T SEE GLASSY WATER.

DON’T MAKE DESCENDING TURNS OVER GLASSY WATER.

  • CHOP – Sometime prior to Last Visual Reference, Power to Idle.
  • PITCH – Set landing attitude and descent rate at Last Visual Reference, approx 20’ above water
  • POWER – approx. 1700 – 1800 rpm until touchdown (will vary with aircraft weight)
  • PATIENCE – HOLD STEADY LANDING ATTITUDE UNTIL TOUCHDOWN

GO AROUND

  • PITCH UP – POWER UP – Simultaneously
  • CLEAN UP – POSITIVE RATE – FLAPS – CARB HEAT COLD/OFF – 25 (2500 rpm) – 75 (mph)

AFTER LANDING – Normal, Rough, and Glassy

  • TOUCHDOWN – For glassy water: POSITIVE TOUCHDOWN.

KEEP THE TOES UP.

  • SHUTDOWN – throttle immediately to idle
  • LET IT SLIDE – maintain landing attitude
  • AS THE NOSE COMES UP
    • STICK BACK
    • WATER RUDDER DOWN
    • FLAPS UP (Retract)

LAND AND MAINTAIN THE STEP – Normal and Glassy Water

  • TOUCHDOWN – If Glassy Water, POSITIVE TOUCHDOWN
    SHUTDOWN
  • LET IT SLIDE – MAINTAIN ATTITUDE
  • POWER UP
  • STABILIZE
  • FLAPS UP (Retract)

TAKE-OFF FROM STEP TAXI

  • CARB HEAT Off/Cold
  • FLAPS 1 Notch
  • FULL POWER
  • TUNE FOR THE STEP
  • POSITIVE RATE, FLAPS UP
  • 75 (mph)
  • 25 (2500 rpm)
  • TRIM

SHUTDOWN

  • MIXTURE – Idle Cut Off
  • MASTER – Off
  • RADIO MASTER – Off
  • MAGNETOS – Off

EMERGENCIES

ENGINE FAILURE

  • FUEL SWITCH
  • MIXTURE – RICH
  • CARB HEAT – ON
  • MAGS – CHECK
  • PRIMER – CHECKED LOCKED

AT THE SAME TIME ADJUST PITCH FOR BEST GLIDE, 70 MPH

Note: If you are in a climb pitch the nose down immediately.     
Airspeed loss exceeds 3-4 MPH/Sec. if you do not immediately pitch nose down.

FIRE IN FLIGHT

ELECTRICAL FIRE

  • MASTER SWITCH – OFF
  • VENTILATE THE CABIN

If smoke clears – Land as soon as practicable or continue to destination.
If smoke or flames continue, Land Immediately

ENGINE FIRE

  • FUEL – OFF
  • MIXTURE – IDLE CUTOFF
  • HEATER – OFF
  • SLIP AWAY FROM FLAMES
  • LAND IMMEDIATELY (even on grass or land)
  • EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY
Non-Normal Situations

NOTE: USE CARB HEAT ANYTIME INDICATION OF CARB ICING OR VISIBLE MOISTURE

ROUGH ENGINE

  • CARB HEAT – ON/HOT
  • FUEL SELECTOR – SWITCH TO TANK WITH FUEL
  • MIXTURE – ADJUST IF NECESSARY
  • PRIMER – CHECK IN AND LOCKED
  • MAGNETO’S – CHECK