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NEW STREAM-LINED INTEGRATED MAIN WHEELS ~ ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED ~ LESS DRAG ~ BETTER PERFORMANCES
MAIN WHEEL WELLS BEHIND THE STEP ALLOW WHEELS TO RETRACT INSIDE FLOAT BODY ~ ALL-ALUMINUM FRONT GEAR
FREE-CASTERING RETRACTABLE NOSE WHEELS ~ FULL-BODY FULL-LOTUS SUSPENSION ~ SAME STURDY FULL-LOTUS HULL
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ON LAND (wheels down)...
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ON WATER (wheels up)!
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Note: All images of Amphibious floats shown above are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the latest float design and/or size of interest. Statements, figures, calculations, plans, pictures and representations on this site are indicative only.
Check out the first video here (more coming soon)...
Check out the first video here (more coming soon)...
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Finally, an amphibious system for your light aircraft worthy of the quality and resilience of Full-Lotus floats!
Today, based on technology borrowed from ZENAIR FLOATS, our new amphibious system for the Full-Lotus 1260 float size includes main wheels that are integrated inside the body of the float (see above pictures)!
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* Includes standard float with main-wheel, tire, brake, wheel-well, actuator, nose wheel & gear; does not include stiffener tubes, spreader bars, rigging, rudders, electric switch, wire, accessories...
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Background: Over the years, a number of different amphibious gear systems have been developed for Full Lotus Floats. Most designs proposed an external main-gear system which would flank the outside of the float's main body, and would pivot out of the way for water operations. Not only would this wheel system flex excessively, but it would leave the entire wheel and gear apparatus hanging in the wind through all phases of operations, causing significant drag and reducing aircraft performance. AFM's new integrated-wheel amphibious float system does away with external main wheels.
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Can I upgrade a set of Straight FL floats to the new system? We get regular calls from current owners of Full-Lotus straight floats asking if they can install the new amphibious gear system retroactively on their floats. Unfortunately, this is not possible. The new amphibious float designs must have a "hole" built into them for the main-wheel "box". This requires significant changes to the float shell structure as well as new rear bladders. An all-new set of floats should be purchased if you wish to install the newest Full-Lotus Amphibious float design on your aircraft.
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Why is AFM now only offering one size of Amphibious floats (the FL1260A)?
The larger amphibious floats developed by AFM in 2015-2016 are beautifully engineered and perform as intended; we have come to realize, however, that they are a good match for only very few standard aircraft. While Full-Lotus amphibious floats with integrated wheels are very sturdy and create less drag than alternative systems, they are not light (134 lbs without the rigging for a single FL1650A float). Then, because much of the float weight is ahead of the step (hull caps and nose wheels) the CG of most aircraft will also shift forward when these amphibious floats are installed. Since most floatplane pilots feel the need for more horsepower, they often install bigger (heavier) engines which only exacerbates the forward CG situation… Frustrated customers must then consider ballast in the tail; some have even requested larger wings to provide more lift.... Rather than go there, AFM decided to discontinue manufacturing its 1450A and 1650A amphibious float models in the spring of 2017 (Zenair aluminum floats are a more suitable alternative).
So why keep producing the 1260A?
Ultralight-style aircraft typically have a higher power-to-weight ratio than more conventional aircraft and most already have lots of wing area (lift). With a lower gross weight and slower landing speeds (lower forces), we were able to lighten the floats (with thinner materials & smaller wheels) to achieve a well adapted amphibious float installation for aircraft in this weight category.
Remember: Whenever installing optional equipment on an aircraft with a regulated maximum gross weight (i.e. 1,320 lbs for LSA or 1,232 lbs for AULA), make sure the options you install don’t push you “over the top”…
The larger amphibious floats developed by AFM in 2015-2016 are beautifully engineered and perform as intended; we have come to realize, however, that they are a good match for only very few standard aircraft. While Full-Lotus amphibious floats with integrated wheels are very sturdy and create less drag than alternative systems, they are not light (134 lbs without the rigging for a single FL1650A float). Then, because much of the float weight is ahead of the step (hull caps and nose wheels) the CG of most aircraft will also shift forward when these amphibious floats are installed. Since most floatplane pilots feel the need for more horsepower, they often install bigger (heavier) engines which only exacerbates the forward CG situation… Frustrated customers must then consider ballast in the tail; some have even requested larger wings to provide more lift.... Rather than go there, AFM decided to discontinue manufacturing its 1450A and 1650A amphibious float models in the spring of 2017 (Zenair aluminum floats are a more suitable alternative).
So why keep producing the 1260A?
Ultralight-style aircraft typically have a higher power-to-weight ratio than more conventional aircraft and most already have lots of wing area (lift). With a lower gross weight and slower landing speeds (lower forces), we were able to lighten the floats (with thinner materials & smaller wheels) to achieve a well adapted amphibious float installation for aircraft in this weight category.
Remember: Whenever installing optional equipment on an aircraft with a regulated maximum gross weight (i.e. 1,320 lbs for LSA or 1,232 lbs for AULA), make sure the options you install don’t push you “over the top”…
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For owners of Full-Lotus straight floats still interested in the older-style "add-on wheels" (can be added to any set of straight Full-Lotus floats), Ken Smith of Harbor Sport Aviation is your one-stop shopping place. Ken's systems can be adapted to all Full-Lotus floats sizes while the new AFM amphibious system pictured above is now only available for the FL1260 float size. Contact Ken Smith directly at 920-495-3910 (see banner below).