CA.IV.H.R2eFAA-S-ACS-7B · Nov 2023Risk management
e. Water surface/condition
Effects of: e. Water surface/condition
Bottom line
Crosswind landings on rough water or in strong winds can leave the seaplane vulnerable to capsizing. Avoid downwind landings on rough water or in strong winds; an upwind landing means a lower touchdown speed, a shorter water run, and much less pounding of the floats and airframe. For a rough water landing, make the touchdown at a somewhat flatter pitch attitude than usual so the floats slice through the tops of the waves rather than slamming hard against them.
FAA references
- SEA ch. 6 (pp. 6-7–6-8) — FAA-H-8083-23
- PHAK ch. 12 (p. 12-8) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
- RMH ch. 3 (p. 3-7) — FAA-H-8083-2A
- 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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