AA.III.C.S10FAA-S-ACS-11A · Nov 2023Skills
Establish and maintain an appropriate planing attitude, directional control, and correc...
Establish and maintain an appropriate planing attitude, directional control, and correct for porpoising, skipping, and increase in water drag.
Bottom line
To reduce float drag and break the grip of the water, the pilot applies enough aileron pressure to lift one float just out of the water and allows the seaplane to continue to accelerate on the step of the other float until lift-off. When using this technique, be careful not to lift the wing so much that the opposite wing contacts the water.
FAA references
- SEA ch. 4 (p. 4-15) — FAA-H-8083-23
- PHAK ch. 5 (p. 5-12) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
- AIM 7-6-14 (Flying in Flat Light, Brown Out Conditions, and White Out Conditions) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
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