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.K2

Knowledge

Float and hull construction, and its effect on seaplane performance.

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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. 1-1
SEAPLANE REGULATIONS
separate written test is required for pilots who are adding seaplane to an existing pilot certificate. Adding a seaplane rating does not modify the overall limitations and privileges of the pilot certificate. For example, private pilots with a seaplane rating ... authorized to engage in seaplane operations that would require a commercial certificate. Likewise, a pilot with a single-engine seaplane class rating may not fly multiengine seaplanes without further training. However, no regulatory distinction is made between flying boats…
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
condition of the surface resulting from both wind waves and swells. PLANING POSITION—The attitude of the seaplane when the entire weight of the aircraft is supported by hydrodynamic and aerodynamic lift, as it is during high-speed taxi ... step.” RATIO—The ratio between the height of a swell to the length between two successive crests (swell length). SEAPLANE — An airplane designed to operate from water. Seaplanes are further divided into flying boats and floatplanes. PLOWING POSITION—A nose…
Aeronautical Information Manual p. 7-6-8
Chapter 7. Safety of Flight › Section 6. Potential Flight Hazards › 7-6-9. Seaplane Safety
Except for the far north, the available bodies of water are no longer the exclusive domain of the airman. Seaplane pilots must be vigilant for hazards such as electric power lines, power, sail and rowboats, rafts, mooring lines, water skiers ... swimmers, etc. b. Seaplane pilots must have a thorough understanding of the right-of-way rules as they apply to aircraft versus other vessels. Seaplane pilots are expected to know and adhere to both the U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG…