Ok so being a little inspired by the
Polaris project, I've looked at my banged up EPS skyfun and said to myself, why shouldn't this jet takeoff and land on water, its a flying wing, it can support the extra weight of a pontoon, it shouldn't be too hard to seal, just have to address the following issues:
- Center pontoon similar to Polaris / ICON A5 would work, but the low wing could catch the water and flip it around during takeoff or descent, wing pontoons in addition to a skinny center pontoon would probably be a good idea.
- Exposed servos, receiver, wires/connectors need to be protected from water.
- Motor and prop should have some clearance from water.
- To taxi on water, some kind of (water) rudder is required.
Ok so to make this happen we need to fix the issues above.
Raising the motor/prop above stock position will change the flight/glide characteristic power on/power off. EDF propulsion would fix this, but is far less efficient compared to stock prop configuration. I decided to run with an upgraded configuration (2800kv motor) and run a 4.75x4.75 prop in stock location. Less static thrust for takeoff but still more than EDF and equivalent weight penalties of heavier battery and motor.
Theoretically, with the center and wing pontoons raising the bottom of the craft off the water, a 6" prop has about 1/2" in the water, a 5 inch prop should mostly clear it (save the rocking/swell action.) I'm thinking of doing initial tests with the pontoons velcro'd on
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