I remember hearing about a regulation in Canada about a 5% increase in gross weight while operating on floats, I am looking into the regulations but cannot find it. Does anyone have reference to it? Or is it just BS?

Thanks

Never heard of a increase in gross wieght when you switch to floats. There's a decrease because of the added float wieght. But maybe theres something I haven't heard of. Curious what others have to say. Happy flying.

Maybe it's in the same section that allows you to go overgross with fuel when operating North of 60.....

...kidding....

But seriously, I have been asked that so many times, I have begun to wonder who is spreading it?

The gross weight on floats is on the type certificate for the aircraft or in the appropriate STC documentation for the float installation. There is no "extra" allowed and to knowingly fly overweight is stupid.......and yes despite what the fisherman and hunters always say.... twofours do count as payload

It is inversely proportional to the pressure of the Helium in the bulkheads and how much ballast water is carried for trim in the various compartments when not used for keeping the beers cold

Some planes do get a gross increase with the addition of floats, it's part of the stc for the floats. The bushhawk gross on aerocet 3500's goes from 3500 to 3800lbs. I believe the stc for aqua 2400 floats on a Maule m7 gives a gross weight increase of 250 lbs. However, in both cases the addition of the floats increases the empty weight by about the same as the increase in the gross weight.

Some aircraft actually have a reduced gross weight on floats. A stock 206 gross weight on wheels is 3600, on floats its 3500 per the type certificate.

This is a copy of what I found on Murphy's website,

"According to regulations, certified aircraft are allowed
an additional 5% of the stated gross weight when
operating on floats."

I know Cessna usually reduce the gross weight when on floats.

Thanks All.

Beaver 5050 on wheels/skis 5090 on floats

I have never heard of any 5% rule. I know our otter's gross increases by 365lbs when on floats. This is due to the amount of weith the landing gear can take. On amphibs our MTOW is lower on wheels then when operating off the water. Same thing goes with the caravan.

If you lower the gross weight of your airplane [any airplane] by 5% .I think TC would probably have no problem with giving you a 5% dispensation letter.Just my own thoughts on this subject

tiny wrote:Some aircraft actually have a reduced gross weight on floats. A stock 206 gross weight on wheels is 3600, on floats its 3500 per the type certificate.

Then you can get an STC from Kenmore Air (Edo floats) to go back to 3600. I cannot recall if it was just for edo floats or can be used on other floats as well. No structure changes just paperwork.

the twin otter 100 series goes to 11600 from 11579 on wheels nevver got the explination for that though it did make fudging the paper work easier

Lost Lake wrote:Beaver 5050 on wheels/skis 5090 on floats

not right....

wheels/skis 5100lbs
Floats (4580) 5090lbs

written in the POH...

It will however haul over 6000 on 4580's and more on the larger floats.... You just need about 4 and a half miles of Lac St. Joseph and a real nice boss......

5370 on 4930's with the MK 2000 wing and mod's.