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Seaplane Skiplane Flying Menu > Performance >Takeoff >Landing
Landplane pilots are trained to stay on the
lookout for good places to land in an emergency, and to be able
to plan a glide to a safe touchdown should the engine(s) fail.
An airplane equipped with floats will usually have a steeper
power-off glide than the same airplane with wheels. This means
a higher rate of descent and a diminished glide range in the
event of an engine failure,so the pilot should keep this in
mind when spotting potential landing areas during cruising flight.
Seaplanes often permit more options in the
event of an unplanned landing, since land can be used as well
as water. While a water landing may seem like the only choice
for a non-amphibious seaplane, a smooth landing on grass, dirt,
or even a hard-surface runway usually causes very little damage
to the floats or hull, and may frequently be the safer alternative.
Figure 5-2. The side area of the floats
can decrease directional stability.
Figure 5-3. Vertical surfaces added
to the tail help restore directional stability.
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