Flight Instructor for Airplane Category › II. Technical Subject Areas › Task L. Water and Seaplane Characteristics, Seaplane Bases, Maritime Rules, and Aids to Marine Navigation (ASES, AMES)

AI.II.L.K1e

Knowledge

Characteristics of a water surface as affected by features, such as:

Floating and partially submerged debris

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Get a short, cited explanation of this element written from the FAA handbooks: the core idea, the numbers that matter, common test traps, and a quick self-check.

From the FAA library

Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook p. 2-2
SEAPLANE CHARACTERISTICS
Many floats also have spray rails along the inboard forward portions of the chines. Since water spray is surprisingly destructive to propellers, especially at high r.p.m., these metal flanges are designed to reduce the amount of spray hitting the propeller ... Floats are rated according to the amount of weight they can support, which is based on the weight of the actual volume of fresh water they displace. Fresh water is the standard because sea water is about 3 percent denser…
Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook p. G-2
SEAPLANE, SKIPLANE, and FLOAT/SKI EQUIPPED HELICOPTER OPERATIONS HANDBOOK › SEAPLANE LANDING
Those swell systems of less height than the primary swell. SISTER KEELSONS—Structural members in the front portion of floats lying parallel to the keel and midway between the keel and chines, adding structural rigidity and adding to directional stability ... keel behind the step which helps prevent the seaplane from tipping back onto the rear portion of the float. by underwater disturbances such as volcanoes or earthquakes. The waves have a uniform and orderly appearance characterized by smooth, rounded, regularly…
Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook p. 4-8
TAXIING AND SAILING › SAILING
seaplane sails backward in the direction the tail is pointed. This is due to the keel effect of the floats, which tends to push the seaplane in the direction the sterns of the floats are pointing. In this situation, lift ... water rudders, since their action is counter to what is desired. When sailing like this, the sterns of the floats have become the front, as far as the water is concerned, but the rear portions of the floats are smaller…
Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook p. 4-16
SKIPPING › ROUGH WATER TAKEOFFS
Using the proper procedure during rough water operation lessens the abuse of the floats, as well as the entire seaplane. During rough water takeoffs, open the throttle to takeoff power just as the floats begin rising on a wave. This ... prevents the float bows from digging into the water and helps keep the spray away from the propeller. Apply a little more back elevator pressure than on a smooth water takeoff. This raises the nose to a higher angle…