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| Float-Wing | ||||||||||
| What
does the Equator distinguish from other seaplanes? History of the float-wing. |
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| The
float-wing acts on the water like a large sponson, stabilizes the
amphibian laterally, eliminates wing-tip floats and can be used as a
gangplank. It is a wet wing; the large fuel capacity makes the Equator a
long-range aircraft to remote sites without refuelling facilities. The
wing incorporates the strong main landing gear. The amphibian is
insusceptible against strong cross-winds and high waves when taxiing a
360°. Accidental capsizing is impossible. The hydrodynamic V-hull with
step, water-rudder and reverse propeller give the amphibian good
characteristics during all maneuvers on water.
Since the light water-loading unit, reacting all over the V-hull and bottom of the inside section of the wing, the amphibian quickly lifts up out of the water, onto the step and accelerates. An aircushion forms under the wing at speed and gives the amphibian a stable self-centering characteristics. During the first second on step the active 3rd aileron on the pylon gives the amphibian the necessary laterally stability. The powerplant location, the float-wing and the fiber composite together make the Equator amphibian an elegant, high-performance beauty in the world of the seaplanes and makes all of our and our customers dreams come true. What does the Equator distinguish from other seaplanes? Experienced
seaplane-pilot knows that all sizes and types of high-wing seaplanes
with an elevated location of the center of gravity tend to capsize in
strong cross-winds and are exposed to nose-over during watering. These
seaplanes are primarily airplanes and only secondarily flying
boats.
The
worldwide only safe system is to date the Equator’s
float-wing. Constructed in water-tight, unsinkable, corrosion resistant
fiber composite. Each version of the Equator accepts
higher waves and stronger winds than a comparable sized seaplane can
withstand. It manoeuvres on water better than a boat. Its float-wing
acts as large sponson, gangplank and as strong (robust) surfboard. It
can ride and dance on the waves with and through the strong wind and can
go through breakers. The Equator doesn’t provide enough
working surface to the cross-wind, the location of the centre of gravity
is low, the buoyancy of the floating wing as well as the water drag
against the plain wing surface are too strong. The waves simply flow
over the float-wing and drain again. With engine off the wind drifts the
Equator only a
short distance until it gets oriented towards the wind by its windflag
stability (see figure 3)
Under
calm conditions, the wing of the Equator can serve
as a gangplang to walk on for fishing e.g.
The
powerplant location of the Equator is well known from many
other airplanes. The modern aerodynamics of the Equator
has already been used for decades in the glider design as well as is the
fiber-composite construction as a material of the future, meanwhile
applied to other motorized airplanes. But
the genious float-wing system is not known to many pilots in-spite of
its advantages. Ralph S. Barnaby, aviation pioneer and holder of the US Soaring Certificate # 1, had tested the 14-seat amphibian military gliders LRQ und LRA with float-wing design successfully on land and on water during world war II.
Molt B. Taylor, another genious US aviation pioneer, crucially contributed with his 2-seat amphibian Coot with float-wing design that this construction principle became popular in a certain group of seaplane pilots.
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