CTLS Float Plane

[waterworld]

I am thinking about purchase of CTLS equipped with amphibian floats.  Anyone out there had experience flying one and can share their experience with the performance?  Owners happy with purchase?   Gross weight/balance issues much different vs on wheels?  Any used float equipped CTLS for sale?

[FlyingMonkey]

There's a user on here named "Floats" who has one, I believe, though his is a CTSW.  He could probably give you the info you want.

[Tom Baker]

I had a ride in one once. With floats you gain 110 pounds of gross weight, but the float installation is over 200 pounds. That equates to a loss of useful load of around 100 pounds. IIRC cruise speed was around 100-105 kts, but they were running the engine harder than most on wheels do. I think their fuel burn was 6 gallon plus per hour. The folks at Airtime Aviation should be able to answer all your questions.

[waterworld]

For those in the know - is there any difference between the 2008 CTLS and the 2009 CTLS?  Any design chances or flaws that were corrected/modified  between those years?  Thanks for any reply. 

[Tom Baker]

Not all 2008's are the same. There were 2 different aileron control systems. You will want the later control system. Mid 2008 and 2009 should be basically the same. There might have been a change in the seat design, I don't remember when that happened. There were some other changes that came in 2010.

[teemu]

On 2/27/2018 at 3:09 PM, waterworld said:

I am thinking about purchase of CTLS equipped with amphibian floats.  Anyone out there had experience flying one and can share their experience with the performance?  Owners happy with purchase?   Gross weight/balance issues much different vs on wheels?  Any used float equipped CTLS for sale?

Did you buy CTLS with floats? any good or bad experiences? Im thinking of buying CTLS with straight floats. I want a fast floatplane , cruising at least100 knots on floats. is CTLS ok on floats?

[GrassStripFlyBoy]

If you've not talked with Airtime Aviation, give Tom Gutmann a ring, they pioneered the integration of Clamar floats onto the CT.  https://flyct.com/floatplane/

When I was at Airtime we talked a bit about the floats, I have no interest in that it was just a curiosity.   Besides the slower cruise and hit to useful load, the flight performance sounded to still be a decent experience, the straight floats you mention would help useful load compared to amphibs.  There are a few videos on youtube that shows plane in action if you've not seen these:  https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ctls+float+plane

 

[Roger Lee]

Poorer performance and the carbon fiber doesn't do well in all the water. ( i.e. the underfin and stab). The one I remember had major delamination of the carbon fiber on the under fin. Props tend to erode on the leading edge. CT's just weren't really designed with float flying in mind.

[floats]

On Ctsw performance is excellent on Czech amphibious floats. I had problem with stabiliser delamination due to poor material used at that time.

[GlennM]

Airtime says you can't pit their kit on a CTSW because there is not enough stabilator power. The CTLS, with the 10" longer fuselage, has enough.  

 

@floats  what is your experience with a CTSW on floats?  Any issues with pitching up during landing?

[floats]

In 2006 Flight design was promoting Ctsw on amphibious aluminum floats. They said that the attachment points were reinforced at the factory. Their specialist who is also a pilot came from Ukraine to Canada to install and check the floats in both configuration. I never had any problems with manoeuvrability and no problem with side slip. From pictures that I have seen some fiber floats look quite different from the aluminum one

[GlennM]

That is good to know.  I always wanted a float plane and was ready to spend the money on the airtime floats, but they would not install them on a CTSW.  Maybe, I can get Flight Design to approve an installation. Especially, if they have done them before. Might keep the modification document price reasonable.

 

If my rough figuring is correct, amphibious floats make the CTSW pretty much a single seat with any appreciable fuel load?  I don't live on a lake, anymore, so I can't do straight floats.  Can you land in the grass and not damage a straight float?

[floats]

You are right,on amphibious floats with full fuel you you are limited in passenger size.  But considering the range of the CT I never had problem with half fuel and a passenger.Not sure about your question on landing in the grass on straight floats.  At the airport where I am,after summer, float planes land on the grass and are stored for the winter. They take of on a trailer pulled by a pick up. As for my amphibious floats, when the Ukraine specialist sent by flight design had installed them, he would go with the plane in very rug grass surfaces without problem.  I however avoided to do it myself.  I have the installation drawings and the flying manual for the floats should you be interested

[GlennM]

Thanks. I might take you up on that.  I will look into getting my seaplane rating, first, of course. 

[JGray]

I'd consider selling my 2012 CTLS with Clamar Amphibs. Mine was a float plane from day one, N649CT. Currently on wheels. It's the CTLS Lite so it just has the Dynon 100 7" EFIS, an upgraded Garmin 795 GPS, and backup steam guages. 250 hours, beautiful plane. Would consider a partial trade for a SW. It does have Autopilot, if I remember correctly it's the TruTrak. 

[Yves]

Hi,

I may be a bit late but is it still for sale?

[Jacques]

Yves

 

sent you a PM  

[JGray]

1 hour ago, Yves said:

Hi,

I may be a bit late but is it still for sale? I'm not sure who's you were talking about, but I would still consider selling my 2012 that I posted about above. 

 

[Madhatter]

Just for info my underfin is made of very thin fiberglass. Probably doesn't hold up well with water impact. 

[floats]

9 hours ago, Jacques said:

Yves

 

sent you a PM 

 

Edited February 7 by floats
Wrong info