New guy ...170 float performance

[martint]

Hi,
I'm new to the forum and have looked at multiple threads and documentation. I presently own a Cessna140 1946 and fly it from wheels and skis.
Looking at something bigger and the 170 seemed like a natural fit.
I red about the 170, 170A and B differences.

I would be looking at a 170 on floats but was wondering about performance and gross weight.
The type certificate doesn't show GW increase for float operation. For the C140 they alow to go from wheel 1450lbs to 1535lbs on floats.

How about performance on floats using the std 145HP (C145 or O300)?? Does it make sense??
How much payload will I eat using floats instead of the wheels?
Thxs for your help!
Martin C-FJAR, C140 1946
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[mit]

I have been flying a 145 on floats for years, they do not make a good float plane. If I had the money I would get a 180 HP or a Cessna 180. But I don't have the money. So I keep what I have and work around it.

[blueldr]

An old time float pilot up in Fairbanks Alaska told me that they had never built a float plane that had too much power.

[hilltop170]

Or too much float.

[GAHorn]

Here's a pic of N.H. area rep. George Courtney's 170 on floats tied up at our shoreline/boathouse on Lake Travis. That's not George in the pic, it's the son of a friend, whom George is about to give a joy ride. (right after George drops his cell phone in to the water, which is about 40 feet deep at the spot. This was the week after heavy rains and is why the normally blue-water of Lake Travis looks muddy.):

FrankMinard.JPG

George's B-model is now back on wheels, but when he visited a few years ago he gave me a joy-ride in it. I thought we were doing great as we lifted off in what I thought was a surprisingly short takeoff run, but George later told me it took a lot more water-run than ordinary due to full fuel, cargo, etc..

[martint]

Thank you all for your comments, thxs also to John Atkins, your 170 Ontario, Canada representative that contacted me right away to give me so feedback.
So what I hear is that 145HP on floats is not ideal, but not impossible and preferable with 180HP.

Fair enough, ideally would like to go to floats, but just increasing what I do today with my C140 to a C170 would be a good upgrade.

Great site and people community, thxs!
Martin C-FJAR, C140 1946

[kbbell]

I've been flying a 1952 C170B 145hp/Edo 2000s for 15 years. Useful load is 585 Lbs, so it's a two-seater on floats.
The McCauley 80x40 prop makes it a fun, safe and useful floatplane. Check out - www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/198450L.html
the only thing as pretty on floats, is a Cessna 195. I highly recommend a C170B.

[jrenwick]

kbbell, it looks like you've got a STOL kit installed, maybe Horton/Stolcraft? That would make a difference getting you off the water sooner (I think) and certainly on climbout.

[kbbell]

The STOL kit certainly helps, however, it was the 80x40 changeover from the MDM7649 seaplane prop that cured the pucker issues.
Before the new prop I was greatly limited to which lakes I could utilize. It does drop the cruise to ~95 mph @ 2400 rpm.

[blueldr]

kbbell,
I took a look at your airplane on the big photo of it on the ramp, high and dry. It sure is a beauty. I've been flying since '42
and I believe my old '52 C-170B was one of the most enjoyable planes I ever flew. I also think that flying the old C-64 Noorduyn Norseman on floats in Alaska was the most fun flying I ever did. I sure would love to have a 170 on floats and live someplace where it could be utilized. There aren't many places to go on floats out here where I live now.

[kbbell]

That does happen to be my plane online, I found it when I searched my N#, I'm still using Ectochrome.
There was a Norseman sitting at Surfside Seaplane Base years ago, I'd sit in it and make engine noises.
600 hp on 7170s, painted cub yellow, that would be the ultimate floatplane.

[GAHorn]

Ultimate floatplane: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syCb1b24ZMU

[cessna170bdriver]

Ultimate floatplane: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syCb1b24ZMU

I saw one of these at Sun-N-Fun many moons ago. Impressive.

[GAHorn]

My very first multi-time was in a DC-3....N333D... and I recall being taught to flight-plan 200 gph. But that was back when it cost 45-cents/gallon. These days I think my buddy plans 160 gph on $6/gal 100LL.

[martint]

Useful load is 585 Lbs, so it's a two-seater on floats.
I highly recommend a C170B.

Thxs kbbell for the input. I'll have to loose weight with a 585 useful payload.....2 persons and gas must not leave much for cargo.
Martin