Gross weight increase for floats

[little rocket 16]

A friend just sent me this ,don't know where he found it or anything about it .This gross weight increase mentioned  below ,is it what most people on floats are accepting as the rule when it comes to the AVIDS?

It is widely accepted that when adding floats to an aircraft rule of thumb says "increase in gross weight = to weight of the Floats added" within reason--Amphibs not quite... Assuming Avid Straight floats weigh about 55lbs EACH an increase in gross weight of 90lbs is how the Factory advised Safely the increase to original gross weight. Just to cover their --s. The assumption is based on the fact that the floats, with their aerodynamic shape etc. when flying, add Lift to the airframe thus reducing the wing loading---i.e. the average float generates their own equivalent weight in lift in cruise... So if an Avid is placarded with a gross weight with floats then it is ONLY when floats are fitted... Remove the floats and the Gross weight should revert back to original Avid number... Which on an Avid C model, without any airframe modifications, is a MAXIMUM of 1050lbs. (Hauler Wing). Less for STOL wing, Less for Aerobatic Speedwings and even Less with the ordinary Speedwing. BUT being "experimental" the Builder is classed as the designer and can literally stipulate the gross weight he wants REGARDLESS of what the kit manufacturer recommends... a way of covering Their --s when flying "overgross" for insurance purposes... Hope this makes sense... Checkout a J3 Gross weight and then Gross weight with Certified floats--- Don't try justifying something to yourself that isn't there! Hope this understandable. Steve at Airdale

[akflyer 1427]

yes.