Seaplane Resurgence?

On Sep 30, 1:01 pm, "Mike Kanze" wrote:
but will they now make a comeback in the US?

Short answer: No, IMHO.


Thanks for your list. It forms a logical point for discusion.



Longer answer: Attempts at large-scale revival of seaplanes in the U.S. will likely meet the same ends as attempts to revive LTA.
a.. Too few suitable seadrome possibilities near most U. S. coastal population centers. And no possibilities at all in the continental heartland, other than the Great Lakes cities like Detroit or Chicago.

I would raise two counter arguments to this:
a/ The Sea planes could be made 'amphibious' in that case they can
operate on airports, perhaps only those with 11000ft runways, and they
could then use seaplane ports in locations where a 11000ft runway
would be prohibitive due to cost or geography.

b/ Oversize seaplanes could opperate in a niche all by themselves
competing for coastal cargo.



b.. Constant pre-landing obstruction clearance would be a major headache for near-urban seadromes - would not take a very large piece of harbor flotsam to hole a hull at takeoff or alighting speed.

True it would be a problem but possibly not insurmountable. Someone
or something such as a robot with appropriate sensors would need to
patrol the area for debris and a dredge or ship scoup such things up.

The seaplane would need to be designed to be repairable in such an
incident eg an removable modular or tiled energy absorbent
bottom hull.


c.. Need for major infrastructure improvements (large hangars, ramps, etc.) along increasingly expensive / scarce near-urban .shoreline.

Quite serious: floating concrete structures?

d.. Even a modest sea state can hinder or prohibit operations in more open waters.
e.. Higher cost of maintenance, especially for corrosion control, versus landplanes.


The development of large scale composite polymer/GFRP/CFRP hulls
adresses much of this.