So I am seriously thinking of going to the dark side with regard to an aircraft on floats. Getting closer to pulling the trigger on an Aircam kit. http://www.aircam.com
I have been going back and forth between this idea and a gyro on floats for a while.
Some recent professional changes have nudged me further along the Aircam path. I just signed on as medical director (part-time for now) with a stem cell clinic in Freeport, Bahamas. Check out Okyanos.com
So my idea of having an aircraft on floats just to play over water and the islands has evolved to a point to where it would probably be more ideal to have an aircraft with twin Rotates that can land, takeoff and fly on one, so that it can also serve as transportation when weather allows to fly from the Florida East coast to Freeport, as well as an aircraft that can fly low and slow over water, and has a reasonable payload. Will probably be able to get some costs reimbursed through work as well.
Another big part of my leaning more towards this idea is that Phil Risley, who is our next-door-neighbor hangar mate actually asked if he can get involved to help build it in his workshop which is now empty as he just completed his RANS. Phil is a Rotax mechanic (retired) and has built 6 or 7 aircraft over the years, including floatplanes. His wife is also on board - she builds with him and flies a 150. I told him that my inclination would have been to buy a built airplane because I will not have the time to devote to an intensive build schedule. This does not seem to deter them, knowing they may land up doing much of the work.
So what do folks think?

why not put floats on annoying orange?

The gyro will handle crappier weather more comfortably imo?

BTW, how many times has your 914 stopped?

What is the cruise speed of the fw compared to annoying orange? (or an MTO with floats)....

speaking for myself, I believe gyros are perfect for floats, the plane would be ok too I guess, but you have to remember all the stall BS, whereas the gyro, you don't worry about that stuff near as much. Don't pull the trigger too quick, I think that you, as a gyro dude, would get bored with the limitations of a FW pretty quick.... and would eventually end up with a gyro on floats....

If I were you, I would buy some floats and graft them onto annoying orange and give that a go.... if you are not happy with the result.... then buy the plane that you already have the floats for

Don't do it, is my honest opinion

Actually if I go the gyro route - I was thinking more along the lines of a Titanium on floats. But have not heard much excitement from the TAG folks.
Biggest issue is power. Most seem to think even a 914 is not adequate for two up in a floats gyro.
An option is to go with the Ronnie Smith 912 upgrade to 135HP. http://flysmla.com
Desmon seems to think the planned 915 has too much stuff on it.
No question, from a cost perspective floats on annoying orange and an engine upgrade is the most economical, about $18,000 total.
Build time obviously a major advantage, and no additional flying certifications needed.
Decisions, decisions...............

With annoying orange on floats, you could fly down the coast to nearly west palm, then you would be exposed to about 60 miles of water crossing to the first land.... that should be about 45-50 minutes in annoying orange on a no wind day.... if it still cruises at about 75mph on floats.

Remember, if a fw has to land on water, it will be at speed.... a gyro doesn't have to be at that speed and it doesn't matter if you go slower.... also, if there was an issue with an aircraft having to be 'picked up' for whatever reason, it is far easier to pick up a gyro with a chopper than a tiny little fw....

I would just say, thoroughly investigate floats on AO before pulling the trigger on a fw, even if there is an 'impending price rise' Buy some floats before the price rise.... get the rest of the plane if no success with annoying orange....

Well maintained rotax 4 bangers like yours don't stop for no reason, one reliable engine is good enough imo, there can be an overall fuel problem that can stop both on a twin, so having 2 engines doesn't always mean you will never have a forced landing, and I would rather have any forced landing in a gyro than a fw...

Don't make a hasty decision that you may well regret

Lesa Aircam twin engine 3 place monster - built one in two months twenty two days from the box to air worthiness certificate

will climb at full gross on one engine and take off quicker than a gyro

It wont just use a runway it can take off across the runway

The owner would go NOE up the canyons over the hills had to replace the wing tip nav lights on a monthly basis.

The Aircam is a pretty impressive airplane though. Climb abilities, low stalls speed, huge tail to handle just about any crosswind landing, very short takeoff and landing comparing favorably with the gyro etc, etc. Has a huge payload area behind the second seat, to drop some scuba gear into etc, etc. Pricey but sweet.

Air cam was designed for the amazon one hell of a machine.

I reckon put AO on floats permanently and buy a Titanium as a land cross country gyro

On a gyro, 20 hp is not a great deal... if it is 115 now, it wont be outstandingly different with 135..... 200 yes, I would rather see you with reliable 115 ok, not the most powerful thing ever, but reliable.... than see you get the upgrade to 135 and have the poor rotax more on the edge..... I am sure your 914 at 2000' above sea level will be fine, depending on passenger weight.... but even so.... climb to 6000' before you leave land, so it is all down hill by the time you reach land at 1500' when you arrive....

I would get the floats, fit them, then test it, then if you think the engine upgrade will help, try it.... but speculating and blowing cash all in one go isn't my idea of a good plan

I am glad it is you making the decision

Yeah, originally designed and built for National Geographic.
Another thing, I've been looking at used ones for a while, and they really hold their value.

Muz, I have a 912 on AO

No worries, then maybe the upgrade to 135hp would be the way to go. that's a 33% increase in power....

Like I said before, I would just rather be caught in 'unfriendly weather' that might unexpectedly turn up, in a gyro than a fw

Sure makes a Titanium 914 on floats look interesting (we need a drooling icon)

I flew one at the Arlington WA airshow back in 1998. It was a fun plane to fly. I have always thought that if money becomes disposable I would build one on amphibious floats with twin 914's and whirlwind constant speed props. Fun, fun fun.

.

I took a look at the dark side and I like it

.

It's an airplane boys!

.

YES !!!! .... an airplane is really crossing to the dark side

Loftus started it ... he opened the door just a crack and a huge black hole is sucking people in

.

This shows two up on floats. You can do this.
Note the brand of floats.

http://youtu.be/40n6nFw0wa4

Well I have decided to hold off on this for now; but only for one reason, time. I just don't have the time to get involved in a big build, do my rating etc, etc.
If I had the time, I would do it in a heartbeat. It's a sweet flying machine. Maybe next year.

Whew.... thought you had gone

Meanwhile, you could have annoying orange on floats in half a day

MWell Jeff I have flown both the Aircam and victors gyro on floats the Aircam requires a twin rating and I flew one in Baltimore. It was fun but could not handle the wind like the gyro can. I have been doing some research on a titanium. On floats and it should handle very well. One very good option might be your MTO with ronies 140hp injected upgrade turbo and pistons. Then change the head to the titanium head and blades. They will give much better life and make it more a two place machine. This would be from the wider cord blade system. And of course the engine upgrade.