What are Amphibious Aircrafts or Flying Boats
The aircraft which has dual uses of landing on still waters and having long-range civilian and military applications, sometimes known as Flying Boat. An amphibious or amphibian aircraft is an aircraft that can take off and land on either land or water. All Amphibian aircraft are thus classified both as seaplanes
and make up the rarest subclass of seaplanes. Like all seaplanes, Amphibious aircraft are typically flying boats and floatplanes — but while their major physical attributes are those placing them within those broad classes, amphibians are also engineered with retractable wheels making them amphibious — at the expense of extra weight and complexity, plus diminished range and fuel economy factors comparative to planes specialized for land or water only.
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Design Technique of Amphibians Aircraft
Amphibian aircraft features a high-wing configuration combined with modern turboprop engines and digital avionics for maximum mission versatility. Fully powered flight controls enhance precise handling and low-speed maneuverability. The aircraft’s normal cruise speed is 180 knots (333 kilometres per hour), with a maximum ferry range of 1,260 nautical miles (2,333 kilometres); fuel consumption (ISA, 5000ft, Utility Role, LRC) is typically 1000 pounds (565 litres) per hour.Since the aircraft was designed for operation in salt-water environments, parts and components receive surface treatments and protective coatings during the manufacturing process before assembly. Sealants and corrosion-inhibiting compounds are used extensively to prevent contact between metal and corrosive agents. The aircraft also has good drainage and ventilation features, as well as numerous removable panels for inspection. Advantage to a twin engine amphibious helicopter is the ability to operate with relative safety in close proximity to the water.
Specifications of General Amphibian
Dimensions
Wingspan 93 ft. 11 in. 28.6 m Length (including radome) 67 ft 20.4 m Height 29 ft., 5.5 in. 8.98 m Wing area 1,080 sq. ft. 100 sq.m Interior Cabin Length 30 ft., 10 in. 9.4 m Cabin Width (max.) 7 ft., 10 in. 2.4 m Cabin Height (max.) 6 ft., 3 in. 1.9 m Doors (w x h) Forward 42 in. x 54 in. 1.06 m x 1.37 m Enlarged Cargo Door 58 in. x 44 in. 1.47 m x 1.12 m Emergency Exit 20 in. x 36 in. 0.5 m x 0.9 m Aircraft Weights Operating Weight Empty 30,000 lbs 13,608 kg Maximum fuel 10,250 lbs 4,650 kg Maximum useful load 6,400 lbs 2,903 kg Maximum Takeoff Weight 41,000 lbs. 18,597 kg Maximum Takeoff Weight Firefighting role 43,850 lbs. 19,890 kg Maximum Takeoff Wt. (water) 37,850 lbs. 17,170 kg Maximum Landing Wt. 37,000 lbs. 16,783 kg Aircraft Performance Normal cruise speed 180 Ktas 333 km/h Long range cruise speed 140 Ktas 259 km/h Stall speed 68 Ktas. 126 km/h Rate of climb 1,600 fpm 8.1 m/s Average fuel burn Takeoff dist. (ISA, land, MTOW) 2,570 ft. 783 m Takeoff dist. (ISA, water, MTOW) 2,670 ft. 814 m Landing dist. (ISA, land, MLW) 2,210 ft. 674 m Landing dist. (ISA, water, MLW) 2,180 ft. 665 m Minimum water depth required 6 ft. 1.8 m Water bombing capacity 1,621 USG 6,137 l
Detailed History of flying Airboats :
India to buy Amphibians from Japan
On 29 May, 2013, Ranjan Mathai, Union Foreign Secretary said that Japan has come forth to sell its domestically designed and manufactured amphibian aircraft to India. He informed media persons that it was one of the main salient features of the joint statement issued by the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his host Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. They decided to establish a Joint Working Group to explore the modality for the cooperation on the US-2 amphibian aircraft. The US-2 which was developed by ShinMaywa Industries has a range of 4,700 kilometres and can land in seas with waves of up to three metres. Here's how it works.Full study of US-2 Amphibian Aircraft
The ShinMaywa (formerly Shin Meiwa) US-2 is a Japanese large STOL amphibious aircraft designed for air-sea rescue (SAR) work. The aircraft is currently operated by the 31st Fleet Air Wing (71st Air Force, 71st Flight Squadron) at Iwakuni air base and Atsugi air base. The US-2 is scheduled to replace the older ShinMaywa US-1.Some specifications of US-2 are as follows :
Length : 33.46m (109 ft 9 in) Height : 9.8m Wingspan : 33.15 m (108 ft 9 in) Crew : 11 Capacity : 20 passengers + 12 strechers Wing area : 135.8m² (1,462 sq ft) Empty weight : 25,630 kg (56,504 lb) Loaded weight : 43,000 kg (94,797 lb) (water take-off) Max. takeoff wt : 47,700 kg (105,160 lb) (land take-off) Propellers : Dowty R414 6 bladed propeller, 1 per engine Maximum speed : 560 km/h (302 knots, 348 mph) Cruise speed : 480 km/h (259 knots, 298 mph) Range : 4,700 km[4] (2,538 nmi, 2,919 mi)
FULL STUDY of US-2 Flying Boat:
