Cessna 208 Amphib operations

[Kezler]

Hi all,

Starting a 135 operation and thinking about a Caravan on amphibs. I've never flown one but did run a Beaver and lots of Twin Otters up in Canada. Since this will be pax op, I like the amount of seats and the obvious benefits of single engine. Any thoughts? If you've got any "real world" numbers that haven't been massaged by Cessna I'd love to hear them.

Cheers,

Kezler

[calmaashs]

If your used to dehavaland planes then this should demonstrate the difference between what your used to and the van!!

YouTube - Otter vs. Caravan

Pax love them but dont expect the fill all the seats and go far (the 2 extra seat baggage area conversion is usless unless you plan to fly lots of children around). You seriously need about 1km to get airbourne to 50 feet and thats on flat water so its not well suited for every float operation.also the plane is made of thiner metal than the beaver\otter so corrosion will be more noticable.

Other than that the plane its self is pretty reliable and the gear system will be your biggest headache.

here are some realworld number for you from our factory new van on wip amphibs with all the add-ons including floats, full deiceing, single pt refueling, blade latches, full ifr ,extented rear baggage compartment, 12 pax seat conversion and coffe cup holders!
:
we planned 300lb an hour fuel burn giving a tas of 135kts

empty weight + 90kg pilot = 5974lb leaving 2386lbs for fuel AND payload if your operating from water.

if your planning to land on a runway then the payload becomes landing weight limited at 7800lb (equals 1626lb payload with a 200lb fixed reserve) But this limit is mostly ignored by most operators i know.

the moral of the story is if you want to keep a useful plane dont go overboard with the extras, keep it light!

good luck!

[Kezler]

Thanks for that, still going ahead

Cheers!

[rigpiggy]

Need more info first. what kind of altitudes/temps, stage length, lake/river/ocean. docking areas. ad nauseum infinitum. The otter is a superior float aircraft, tougher, shorter takeoff, lower stall. figure a 3500# payload on amphibs. 9 pax+bags @ 225 per figure 1400# fuel with full load. so 2+30 and reserves. if you have a really long stage length then the van will be faster, but fuel/overhaul/maintenance must also be considered

[Kezler]

Stage length 60 miles to longest about 120 miles. I'd like to see the numbers of the turbine otter next to the number s for the van, the only problem that I see with the otter is the length of the wing, I think it might hit the piling on the dock that we're planning on using!

Thanks K

[rigpiggy]

try the texasturbine conversions site. I like the pratt, others don't either way kicks the crap out of the Van

[chimbu warrior]

Have never flown either, but a friend who flew and maintained a Caravan on amphibs convinced his employer to ditch it and buy an Otter because the extra speed on the water (longer takeoff, higher speeds, more exposure to ripples) was literally shaking the Caravan to bits. Lots of cracking and loose rivets.

Caravan is great on wheels, but really takes a punishing on the water.

[MungoP]

Personally I wouldn't care too much about the rivets if I could just fly the thing... They pass directly over my house on Long Island and each time I see them I feel a renewed interest in aviation... Have to admit to envying those guys...