What Is the Process for Airplanes to Land on Water?

Joe Shelton:

When it comes to physically landing, seaplanes and floatplanes perform similarly to land-based airplanes, touching down on water just as they would on land.

The landing begins with the correct approach speed, followed by a gentle flare just before the aircraft makes contact with the water. As the aircraft touches the surface, it begins to slow down rapidly due to the drag of the water, gently settling in. No brakes are required, which is fortunate since they don’t have any functional brakes for water landings.

Once on the water, they become as maneuverable as a boat. In other words, not very much. Essentially, they are steered much like a boat would be in the water.

Most, if not all, seaplanes and floatplanes are equipped with 'water rudders' that allow them to steer through the water, just as a boat does. However, when approaching a pier or shore, you'll typically see the engine switched off, with the pilot either on the float or leaning out of the aircraft, using an oar to row the plane to land (it almost sounds like something out of a Peter, Paul, and Mary song).

If you’re wondering why these aircraft don’t sink, it’s because they are specifically built to float.

Floatplanes are generally regular airplanes modified with floats, typically two, one under each wing. Seaplanes, on the other hand, are purpose-built for water-based operations.

A large number of floatplanes and seaplanes are what is known as amphibious, meaning they can take off and land on both water and land. They usually feature retractable or extendable wheels (landing gear).

While extending an aircraft’s landing gear is crucial when landing on land, it’s just as important, if not more so, to ensure the landing gear is retracted when making a water landing.

Here’s the reason why:

The aircraft shown in the video is a 'floatplane' equipped with aftermarket floats.

This is a seaplane with a fuselage designed to float on the water like a boat. It also has floats, but they are an integral part of the aircraft's design.

This is a Piper Apache mounted on floats. It’s the same aircraft in which I earned my Commercial Multiengine Seaplane certification.

This post originally appeared on Quora. Click here to view.