User manual

Section Appendix A.4 Part B
16 CLIMB PERFORMANCE
As the floats are selected up by the PNF the climb out will be similar to a land take off
On float retraction, if one float does not retract the yaw is considerable, probably worse
than following engine failure. Options available to counter this include putting both floats
back down then hand cranking the floats up or, reducing power on the engine opposite to
the stuck float. Keep airspeed 95 knots.
17 LANDING
Choice of Landing Area
The landing phase is probably the most critical in water flying. In PBY, all water landings
are optional. There is virtually always an alternative available at an airfield. If pilots feel
unhappy about the conditions they should not complete the water landing.
The landing area should be carefully and completely assessed The following list covers
most issues. Do not forget that the best way to assess taxi routes from the landing area to
the beach, ramp, dock or mooring is also from the air.
Consider:
Wind
Current
Area
Conditions:
Touchdown
Approach
Technique
Taxi Path
Mooring
Take Off
Direction, strength, Local variations, protected areas
Direction and strength.
Size of available landing area and alternates available. Note major
surface and underwater obstructions
Wave height is difficult to pick. Check boat movements (Double your
guess from 500 ft will be roughly correct) Note sun position, haze,
dust etc
Choose touchdown point and landing direction
Plan circuit for safe under or overshoot and go-around
e.g. Power on, glide, glassy water etc
Minimum turns from completion of landing run to shore Note
obstructions on the taxi route inbound and out.
Safe and suitable.
Note taxi path and take off distance required
A preliminary inspection should be undertaken at 1000 ft AWL and a circuit planned for
inspection of the area from all directions. An approach is then flown with a "dummy" run
along the landing area at 500 ft AWL. If unsure of the conditions or safety of the area
repeat the dummy run several times.
Estimating distance available is not easy but during the inspection flight the following
figures can be used but this is really dependent on ground speed:
At 90 knots ground speed:
25 sec
30 sec
35 sec
40 sec
1150 m (3800ft)
1400 m (4500ft)
1600 m (5300ft)
1850 m (6100ft)
Rev No: 02 Stichting Catalina PH-PBY
Page: 8 01 April, 2006