Float STC

[D.cider]

I thought I had read earlier this year that the Peterson's were going to pursue a engine mount stc for floats and that flight testing was to occur this summer. Any information regarding this would be greatly apprciated.

dk

[Todd Peterson]

Hopefully the work we are doing for the use of floats will be completed later this year. To get the canard compatible with the seaplane engine mount required the redesign of three canard components. When these components are added to our approved parts list the project will be completed.

While this a straight forward project working with the FAA is very time consuming. For example. I sent a letter to the ICT FAA Aircraft Certification Office for the use of the IO-550 engine in the King Katmai. In the following two and a half months I received the engine from TCM, McCauley designed and sent me a propeller for this application, I did the first time engine installation, had an FAA DAR come in for the inspection and issuance of an experimental airworthiness certificate, flew off the flight restriction time and then flew the airplane to Utah and back . In the above time frame the FAA ACO could not find the time to take five minutes and write me a letter saying the application had an error and I needed to resubmit it. I only found out about that after my return from Utah and only because I had requested some information relative to this project. This is obviously one of the reasons we see so few new improvements in aviation. It is also a good comparison of the efficiencies of the private sector vs the government.

[D.cider]

Thanks for the quick response.

Barring the inevitable FAR delays it sounds like you are fully pursueing the engine mount/float stc. I follow this forum fairly regularly and have'nt seen anything about how the canard equipped 182 on floats performed. If it has been flight tested/flown please send me a link.

My question is has it been flight tested and if so does the canard improve the ability to get on step?

I am convinced the canard equipped/ 260SE is the best fit for my situation (safer/better performance) however, I am in the enviable/unenviable position of having specific instructions from my wife not to purchase anything that will/could not eventually be on floats.

Thanks again.

dk

[Todd Peterson]

I must first say I have no experience with floats so my opinion reflects what float plane pilots say after they have been up in a 260SE.

Everyone, including C185 owners with floats, say the 260SE will be a "winner" on floats. The current effort to get our canard compatible with floats came after Jim (Seaplanes West) and Jeff (Park Rapids Aviation) came down for a ride in a 260SE. Jim also stated he thought the 260SE would be perfect for floats. The flat flight attitude at slow speeds, shorter take off and landing distances, slower stall speed, maneuverability and stall resistance seem to be the real benefits. Based on Jim's opinion I decided to proceed with the certification.

[nworth]

Todd,

According to the Seaplanes West website, on 182's they offer straight floats from Aerocet, EDO and Wipaire and amphibs from Aerocet and Wipaire.

Does that mean we 260se owners will have the same choices once the FAA blesses your work?

- nw

[D.cider]

Todd,

Has their been any advances in the float STC project?

Do I understand this right? The current canard equipped aircraft you are producing are not and could not be approved for floats because the "float canard" has different parts?

Could one get on the production schedule now for the float mod or are you taking a wait and see as far as orders because of the uncertainty of working with the FAA?

Thanks

dk

[Todd Peterson]

We are currently working on both the TCM IO-550 and the float mod with the FAA. Using the sea plane engine mount required the redesign of three canard components. When these have been added to our STC the canard will be compatible with this mount. As one of the components is the canard spar it is not as simple as if it were a "minor" component. I am hoping we have everything approved by our FAA DER and submitted to the FAA later this year.

As the first open production slot is March, 2009 I don't see taking orders for the float version being a problem.

Todd

[nworth]

I plan on getting my float plane rating this summer.

What's the update on the float STC for the 260se?