PA.I.I.K1
KnowledgeThe characteristics of a water surface as affected by features, such as:
From the FAA library
- DETERMINING SEA CONDITIONS
wind and water determine the surface conditions, while tides and currents affect the movement of the water itself. Features along the shore and under the water’s surface contribute their effects as well. With a little study, the interplay between ... these factors becomes clearer. A few simple terms describe the anatomy and characteristics of waves. The top of a wave is the crest, and the low valley between waves is a trough. The height of waves is measured from…
- LANDING › GLASSY WATER LANDING
GLASSY WATER LANDING Flat, calm, glassy water certainly looks inviting and may give the pilot a false sense of safety. By its nature, glassy water indicates no wind, so there are no concerns about which direction to land, no crosswind ... consider, no weathervaning, and obviously no rough water. Unfortunately, both the visual and the physical characteristics of glassy water hold potential hazards for complacent pilots. Consequently, this surface condition is frequently more dangerous than it appears for a landing seaplane…
- CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER
CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER A competent seaplane pilot is knowledgeable in the characteristics of water and how they affect the seaplane. As a fluid, water seeks its own level, and forms a flat, glassy surface if undisturbed. Winds, currents, or objects ... traveling along its surface create waves and movements that change the surface characteristics. Just as airplanes encounter resistance in the form of drag as they move through the air, seaplane hulls and floats respond to drag forces as they move…
- RULES OF THE SEA › INLAND AND INTERNATIONAL WATERS
Coast Guard (USCG) regulations, the definition of a vessel includes virtually anything capable of being used for transportation on water, including seaplanes on the water. Therefore, any time a seaplane is operating on the water, whether under power ... Printing Office. These rules apply to all public or private vessels navigating upon the high seas and certain inland waters. INLAND AND INTERNATIONAL WATERS Inland waters are divided visually from international waters by buoys in areas with frequent ocean traffic…
- SKIPPING › GLASSY WATER TAKEOFFS
GLASSY WATER TAKEOFFS Glassy water makes takeoff more difficult in two ways. The smoothness of the surface has the effect of increasing drag, making acceleration and lift-off more difficult. This can feel as if there is suction between ... water and the floats. A little surface roughness actually helps break the contact between the floats and the water by introducing turbulence and air bubbles between water and the float bottoms. The intermittent contact between floats and water…
- LANDING › ROUGH WATER LANDING
pilot can be certain that the landing configuration and 150 f.p.m. descent will be established well above the water’s surface, starting the final glide nearer the surface shortens the descent time and overall landing length. This technique usually produces ... long, shallow glide consumes considerable landing distance. Be certain there is sufficient room for the glide, touchdown, and water run. ROUGH WATER LANDING Rough is a very subjective and relative term. Water conditions that cause no difficulty for small boats…