Any class of plane that can land, float, and take off on water are called seaplanes. Some people also like to call them flying boats. Seaplanes must have sufficient buoyancy to float on water.
As well as they should be able to support their weight while moving along the water surface and also at the speed for flying. They must be strong enough to land and take off with a sense of stability and hold onto pilot space. Similarly, its structure should be strong enough to withstand the landing shock and have smaller water resistance so it can have small takeoff runs.
In most seaplanes, the main body, and fuselage are combined to make a boatlike body. With their unique functionality and structure seaplanes are bound to have unusual problems as well. They must be given special attention and dealt with differently from regular aircraft maintenance activities.
Well-maintained seaplanes with optimized float kits can perform best in these irregular flight and float conditions. This blog entails some of the unique seaplane maintenance problems that you should look for as an owner or a pilot.
1. Freezing Water
There are substantial differences in the properties of ice and water. So, when the temperature drops below freezing point, and ice forms, the pilot has to be very careful. Ice can damage the float compartments and water rudders. When water freezes it expands. So when the water inside the float freezes, the pressure can result in a seam burst.
Avoiding this problem is easier than repairing and replacing seams after they burst. One common practice that actually works is to store the float upside down to allow thorough drainage.
2. Corrosion From Salt Water
Seawater is salty and seaplanes often experience a lot of contact with salty seawater, which corrodes the metal surface of the aircraft. Trying to prevent the salt connection to the metal surface will dismantle the seaplane concept. So, the easiest way to avoid and minimize corrosion is to seal the metal against exposure.
Although it is impossible to avoid and eradicate every electrolyte that can damage the aircraft, there are several oils, greases, and other dielectrics that can minimize corrosion impact.
3. Water On Propellers
Water is very dangerous for propellers, it can damage the blades throughout their length. This damage is easy to detect because the leading edge will start fraying from the edge of the blades.
To fix blades that have undergone water damage, repair technicians need to completely cover the leading edge and remove the spray while reprofiling the edge of the blade.
4. Pre-flight Inspection
Examining the seaplane before the flight is far more important than the pre-flight inspection of a landplane. The process is complicated because the plane is on water and it is difficult to access all the parts of the plane. Pilots have to reposition the plane during inspection to gain access to all parts of the aircraft.
5. Water Seepage
The water pressure and physical stress of taking off and landing the seaplane can open up a gap between the floats. Water can seep into the plane's components through these gaps and even move inside when the aircraft is sitting idly in the water.
Use the bilge pump to pump out the accumulated water from each compartment. Although it is normal to pump the water out from each component, water more than a quarter of the compartment indicates a maintenance problem. This should be dealt with using an expert float kit and seaplane mechanics.
6. Float
Water forces can lead to cumulative damage on the airplane float. This can be seen through the distorting skin, dents, or loose rivets. If the floats are made of composite material or fiberglass, the floats stress will be visible through delamination, discoloration, and from crack surface abrasion.
About Us
Acorn Welding is an aviation welding company in Edmonton, offering aircraft welding, parts, and many other services. Each team member has over 20 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing and welding. We have four full-time quality personnel on staff that monitor all our products and repairs with a Transport Canada approved quality control program. We also offer a range of products for aircraft, such as exhaust systems, mounts, float kits, and more. For more information, contact us today or visit our website.
