Floatplane taxi modes, getting on the step & porpoising

Three modes, plus one advanced mode used only when needed.

Idling:

• Elevator held fully back: propeller avoids spray thrown up by floats.
• Attitude about as at rest on water.
• Do most early practice here.

Sailing:

• Engine running or stopped. If running, steer with air rudder and aileron drag.
• Use: manoeuvre into cramped space or out of awkward wind.

On the step:

• Turns gentle, a few degrees at a time: centrifugal force at that speed can capsize the aircraft.

Nose-up:

• Column held back, nose held high.
• Use only in rough water, or to turn downwind in a high wind.
• Short periods only: engine overheats.
• Except for run-up, only for highly qualified seaplane pilots.

Getting on the step:

1. Hold control column fully back, apply power: nose rises through nose-up mode.
2. Ease column forward to roll onto the step.
3. Once planing at full power, control attitude with back pressure.

• Too much back pressure: digs heels of floats in, drags.
• Too little: forward float bottoms stay in water, drags.
• Raise water rudders before the run.

Porpoising (floatplane on the step): nose oscillates up and down. Stop immediately: grows fast, can make aircraft uncontrollable.

Trap: adding power or pushing column forward to "fly through" porpoising makes it worse; fix is less power, idle taxi.

Practice