What is the offset in a seaplane's hull?












3












$begingroup$


I noticed there is a little offset in a seaplane's hull (highlighted in the following picture). I suppose this is useful as it exists in all the seaplanes I know. It seems it does not help hydrodynamics neither aerodynamics. I could not find any clue by myself as I don't know this feature's name.



My question, what is its name and purpose?



Catalina (original image from https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/PBY_Catalina.jpg)

(wikimedia.org)










share|improve this question











$endgroup$

















    3












    $begingroup$


    I noticed there is a little offset in a seaplane's hull (highlighted in the following picture). I suppose this is useful as it exists in all the seaplanes I know. It seems it does not help hydrodynamics neither aerodynamics. I could not find any clue by myself as I don't know this feature's name.



    My question, what is its name and purpose?



    Catalina (original image from https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/PBY_Catalina.jpg)

    (wikimedia.org)










    share|improve this question











    $endgroup$















      3












      3








      3





      $begingroup$


      I noticed there is a little offset in a seaplane's hull (highlighted in the following picture). I suppose this is useful as it exists in all the seaplanes I know. It seems it does not help hydrodynamics neither aerodynamics. I could not find any clue by myself as I don't know this feature's name.



      My question, what is its name and purpose?



      Catalina (original image from https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/PBY_Catalina.jpg)

      (wikimedia.org)










      share|improve this question











      $endgroup$




      I noticed there is a little offset in a seaplane's hull (highlighted in the following picture). I suppose this is useful as it exists in all the seaplanes I know. It seems it does not help hydrodynamics neither aerodynamics. I could not find any clue by myself as I don't know this feature's name.



      My question, what is its name and purpose?



      Catalina (original image from https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/PBY_Catalina.jpg)

      (wikimedia.org)







      aircraft-design feature-identification fuselage seaplane






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      share|improve this question








      edited 5 hours ago









      ymb1

      69.6k7221369




      69.6k7221369










      asked 5 hours ago









      Manu HManu H

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      5,5101058136






















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          $begingroup$

          That's called the step. Without it, you'd have to fight against the buoyancy of the rear end of the hull when you rotate for takeoff.




          However, a seaplane float or hull must be designed to permit the seaplane to be rotated or pitched up to increase the wing's angle of attack and gain the most lift for takeoffs and landings. Thus, the underside of the float or hull has a sudden break in its longitudinal lines at the approximate point around which the seaplane rotates into the lift off attitude. This break, called a "step," also provides a means of interrupting the capillary or adhesive properties of the water.



          The water can then flow freely behind the step, resulting in minimum surface friction so the seaplane can lift out of the water. The steps are located slightly behind the airplane's centre of gravity, approximately at the point where the main wheels of a landplane are located. If the steps were located to far aft or forward of this point, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to rotate the airplane into a pitch-up attitude prior to planing (rising partly out of the water while moving at high speed) or lift off. Although steps are necessary, the sharp break along the float's or hull's underside causes structural stress concentration, and in flight produces considerable drag because of the eddying turbulence it creates in the airflow.







          share|improve this answer









          $endgroup$





















            0












            $begingroup$

            enter image description here



            It's called a hull step. Below is with and without:





            enter image description here



            It reduces water drag. As the plane gains speed and the aft body is lifted, only the forward hull will be in contact with the water.





            Source: Laté 631 Replica - Chapter 3 - Hydrodynamics






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              $begingroup$

              That's called the step. Without it, you'd have to fight against the buoyancy of the rear end of the hull when you rotate for takeoff.




              However, a seaplane float or hull must be designed to permit the seaplane to be rotated or pitched up to increase the wing's angle of attack and gain the most lift for takeoffs and landings. Thus, the underside of the float or hull has a sudden break in its longitudinal lines at the approximate point around which the seaplane rotates into the lift off attitude. This break, called a "step," also provides a means of interrupting the capillary or adhesive properties of the water.



              The water can then flow freely behind the step, resulting in minimum surface friction so the seaplane can lift out of the water. The steps are located slightly behind the airplane's centre of gravity, approximately at the point where the main wheels of a landplane are located. If the steps were located to far aft or forward of this point, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to rotate the airplane into a pitch-up attitude prior to planing (rising partly out of the water while moving at high speed) or lift off. Although steps are necessary, the sharp break along the float's or hull's underside causes structural stress concentration, and in flight produces considerable drag because of the eddying turbulence it creates in the airflow.







              share|improve this answer









              $endgroup$


















                4












                $begingroup$

                That's called the step. Without it, you'd have to fight against the buoyancy of the rear end of the hull when you rotate for takeoff.




                However, a seaplane float or hull must be designed to permit the seaplane to be rotated or pitched up to increase the wing's angle of attack and gain the most lift for takeoffs and landings. Thus, the underside of the float or hull has a sudden break in its longitudinal lines at the approximate point around which the seaplane rotates into the lift off attitude. This break, called a "step," also provides a means of interrupting the capillary or adhesive properties of the water.



                The water can then flow freely behind the step, resulting in minimum surface friction so the seaplane can lift out of the water. The steps are located slightly behind the airplane's centre of gravity, approximately at the point where the main wheels of a landplane are located. If the steps were located to far aft or forward of this point, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to rotate the airplane into a pitch-up attitude prior to planing (rising partly out of the water while moving at high speed) or lift off. Although steps are necessary, the sharp break along the float's or hull's underside causes structural stress concentration, and in flight produces considerable drag because of the eddying turbulence it creates in the airflow.







                share|improve this answer









                $endgroup$
















                  4












                  4








                  4





                  $begingroup$

                  That's called the step. Without it, you'd have to fight against the buoyancy of the rear end of the hull when you rotate for takeoff.




                  However, a seaplane float or hull must be designed to permit the seaplane to be rotated or pitched up to increase the wing's angle of attack and gain the most lift for takeoffs and landings. Thus, the underside of the float or hull has a sudden break in its longitudinal lines at the approximate point around which the seaplane rotates into the lift off attitude. This break, called a "step," also provides a means of interrupting the capillary or adhesive properties of the water.



                  The water can then flow freely behind the step, resulting in minimum surface friction so the seaplane can lift out of the water. The steps are located slightly behind the airplane's centre of gravity, approximately at the point where the main wheels of a landplane are located. If the steps were located to far aft or forward of this point, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to rotate the airplane into a pitch-up attitude prior to planing (rising partly out of the water while moving at high speed) or lift off. Although steps are necessary, the sharp break along the float's or hull's underside causes structural stress concentration, and in flight produces considerable drag because of the eddying turbulence it creates in the airflow.







                  share|improve this answer









                  $endgroup$



                  That's called the step. Without it, you'd have to fight against the buoyancy of the rear end of the hull when you rotate for takeoff.




                  However, a seaplane float or hull must be designed to permit the seaplane to be rotated or pitched up to increase the wing's angle of attack and gain the most lift for takeoffs and landings. Thus, the underside of the float or hull has a sudden break in its longitudinal lines at the approximate point around which the seaplane rotates into the lift off attitude. This break, called a "step," also provides a means of interrupting the capillary or adhesive properties of the water.



                  The water can then flow freely behind the step, resulting in minimum surface friction so the seaplane can lift out of the water. The steps are located slightly behind the airplane's centre of gravity, approximately at the point where the main wheels of a landplane are located. If the steps were located to far aft or forward of this point, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to rotate the airplane into a pitch-up attitude prior to planing (rising partly out of the water while moving at high speed) or lift off. Although steps are necessary, the sharp break along the float's or hull's underside causes structural stress concentration, and in flight produces considerable drag because of the eddying turbulence it creates in the airflow.








                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered 5 hours ago









                  HobbesHobbes

                  3,9021016




                  3,9021016























                      0












                      $begingroup$

                      enter image description here



                      It's called a hull step. Below is with and without:





                      enter image description here



                      It reduces water drag. As the plane gains speed and the aft body is lifted, only the forward hull will be in contact with the water.





                      Source: Laté 631 Replica - Chapter 3 - Hydrodynamics






                      share|improve this answer









                      $endgroup$


















                        0












                        $begingroup$

                        enter image description here



                        It's called a hull step. Below is with and without:





                        enter image description here



                        It reduces water drag. As the plane gains speed and the aft body is lifted, only the forward hull will be in contact with the water.





                        Source: Laté 631 Replica - Chapter 3 - Hydrodynamics






                        share|improve this answer









                        $endgroup$
















                          0












                          0








                          0





                          $begingroup$

                          enter image description here



                          It's called a hull step. Below is with and without:





                          enter image description here



                          It reduces water drag. As the plane gains speed and the aft body is lifted, only the forward hull will be in contact with the water.





                          Source: Laté 631 Replica - Chapter 3 - Hydrodynamics






                          share|improve this answer









                          $endgroup$



                          enter image description here



                          It's called a hull step. Below is with and without:





                          enter image description here



                          It reduces water drag. As the plane gains speed and the aft body is lifted, only the forward hull will be in contact with the water.





                          Source: Laté 631 Replica - Chapter 3 - Hydrodynamics







                          share|improve this answer












                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer










                          answered 5 hours ago









                          ymb1ymb1

                          69.6k7221369




                          69.6k7221369






























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