NOTE: Blind rivets should not be used on floats or amphibian hulls below the water line. Inspection of floats and hulls involves examination for damage due to corrosion, collision with other objects, hard landings, and other conditions that may lead to failure. If the necessary information is not found in the SRM, attempt to find a similar repair or assembly installed by the manufacturer of the aircraft.įloatsTo maintain the float in an airworthy condition, periodic and frequent inspections should be made because of the rapidity of corrosion on metal parts, particularly when the aircraft is operated in salt water. Any additional knowledge needed to make a repair is also detailed. Normally, a similar repair is illustrated, and the types of material, rivets, and rivet spacing and the methods and procedures to be used are listed. When repairing a damaged component or part, consult the applicable section of the manufacturer’s SRM for the aircraft. The indicator was photo bombed by the paddle on the opposite float I took this picture to show the mechanical landing gear position indicator.This section describes typical repairs of the major structural parts of an airplane.

Of course, landing on water with the gear up is the norm and a good thing. Unlike land lubber aircraft, intentionally landing a float plane without landing gear on land (sod) isn’t an uncommon practice. One possible reason being a float plane not equipped with landing gear might land on the grass if taking the plane in for service at a shop on a land locked airport. The keel of the floats is plenty strong to handle the landing as long as the surface won’t scrape the keel down to a nub. Landing on grass with wheels retracted on amphibious floats is also an option if the gear won’t extend and there’s no suitable body of water around. Just side stepping the runway in favor of the grass is usually sufficient to protect the keel. Landing on water with the gear down is a very bad thing.

It’s far worse than landing a land plane on land with the gear up.

Edo floats maintenance manual