Cherokee 140 on Floats

[Blakey]

Please tell me you're not going to try to fly it off that trailer with the rails on it!

The trailer needs to be free of anything that could snag a float on lift off!

[nofixedaddress]

No no no, the plane is going to be trailered to the lake near by and from there. Nothing stupid, lots of lake to work with.

[niss]

I hope you are going down to Kempenfelt rather than little. Even little looks a little little! too many trees and hills IMO.

[Rudder Bug]

But should a Cherokee 140 be a decent floatplane, we would see more around. Lots of Pipers have high lift wings, the flat-bottom ones - Clark Y - (Aztec, Cub) but a Cherokee??? Mmmmmmmmm

[bmc]

I think it may be less about it's ability as a float plane and more of a pain to dock.

[Blakey]

I think it may be less about it's ability as a float plane and more of a pain to dock.

Agreed. I'm betting he gets real good at flying from the right seat!

[bmc]

I think it may be less about it's ability as a float plane and more of a pain to dock.

Agreed. I'm betting he gets real good at flying from the right seat!

I forgot about that. Only one door and on the right side. A sliding canopy might be better.

[nofixedaddress]

I have visions while docking of a passenger getting out of the right seat to let the pilot dock, the pax stands on the wing, maneuvers around the door while the pilot gets out, pilot stumbles over the passenger, passenger falls backword over the leading edge, hits the dock rolls into the water and gets pinned between the float and the dock. Plane starts to weathercock, pilot struggels to help the pax and keep himself and the plane on the dock.....

I'll be on the right side when doing the flying with the owner or by myself anyway... so hopefully I don't have to much to worry about. I'm sure it will get interesting to say the least.

[niss]

When?

[Rudder Bug]

Nofix,

Will you take some snapshots? We can't wait to know about it (and see)!

[Matthew]

Do me a favor, wait for a cranking west wind before you haul it out of Little Lake

....And this heat's no good for performance either.

If your in doubt, talk to a few folks up at Orillia. I believe they had a few hanging around there and might be able to put you in touch with another owner.

Cheers, Matt.

[Lost Lake]

The 140 needs a high lift wing because it is a dog on wheels. Whoever thinks it will take off on floats probably bought a Lada years ago too. Hey why not put thielbert diesels on it, I hear their going cheap these days.

[nofixedaddress]

Well, it was a success, 4am Police Escort to the water. Off the water in the am, plane was very comparable to a 172, besides the obvious associated with a low wing. I was surprised with its performance, there was no question about its ability on floats. I enjoyed flying it.

That plane and rough water won't mix at all, but that goes with anything on 2000's. Performance was there, I had half tanks and just myself so its not like it was loaded. Pilot, Passenger and full fuel, will be a lot different but I can't see any problem, there was enough power. Docking was just as expected....difficult, but manageable with a plan, mind you I haven't had to dock alone yet.

Anyways, I'll try to post some pictures later, I have them on my computer now, but they are to large of files to upload to the site.

Cheers

[Rudder Bug]

Nofix,

Thanks bunches for sharing that experience, can't wait to see your pics! So it appears that using a beech would be the most practical. Are you gonne try it with a full load (two on board with good fuel and 2 back packs & fishing gear, no beer? )

[nofixedaddress]

Here are some pictures......Nohing to exciting, can only do so much with the camera when I'm flying.

I plan on showing the owner close to the limits of the plane and I can't imagine we will get much more than full fuel pilot and passenger. I'll let you know.

[nofixedaddress]

Picture

[Rudder Bug]

Cool, how much flaps did you use for take-off?

[nofixedaddress]

Started with none....got to the step, pulled 1st notch, 60 knots pulled second notch and she jumped off no problem. Ground Effect, climbed out got rid of flap.

75-80 final, landing not less than 65. Indicated about 90kts cruise at 2300 rpm. Landing full flap she liked that, got rid of the flap as soon as I touched the water and went idle.

[niss]

Neat pic! I had my doubts but am certainly glad no one is dredging the floor of little lake for cherokee parts!

Hmmm maybe when it comes time to get my float rating.......

[Matthew]

Well done sir. I bet it's easier to fuel than a Cessna anyway eh'

What really impresses me is that, the trailer he used held together from Springwater to Little Lake

It looks a little light for the job, and actually looks a little bent now in places.

[Rudder Bug]

A wing extension STC would be nice to see

[Blakey]

A wing extension STC would be nice to see

You want to be able to clear more of the dock?

[Rudder Bug]

Hahaha no Blakey! But when it comes to such a plane I always have a beech in mind

[Blakey]

I recall seeing a picture of a Zeinair taxiing on floats with a guy sitting on each wing trolling! No need to fly in the boat!

[oldtimer]

Back in 1968/69, Calm Air had a Cherokee 6 on floats. Bought it from a company in B.C. We flew it on wheels in winter and it was a good performer. I dropped it thru the ice at South Indian Lake in the late spring and that damaged the nose gear. The aircraft was pulled up on an island till breakup and we flew the floats in and did the change over there. Weird looking airplane and it sat on the floats funny. Checked the rigging over but the floats were installed correctly. Attempted to fly out of Eldon Lake with just under a full legal load and the damn thing would not fly. Best we could do was with half load. Needed 67 MPH (or knots, forget which) to fly but could only manage 62. Jumped up on the step quickly and accelerated well but just could not get enough airspeed to make it fly. A few high time floatplane pilots all had a go at it and the results were the same. Just could not get up enough speed to lift off. Took it off floats and it would pack a substantial load so there was nothing wrong with the airplane or engine. Looking through the old log books, the operator in B.C was carrying the same loads we were on floats and a substantially larger load on wheels. Just a real mutt on floats. Incidentally, basic and major flight instruments like airspeed and altimeter were on the right side so the airplane was flown from the right seat.