What is the offset in a seaplane's hull?












45












$begingroup$


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 appears to be neither a hydrodynamic nor aerodynamic feature. I could not find 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











$endgroup$

















    45












    $begingroup$


    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 appears to be neither a hydrodynamic nor aerodynamic feature. I could not find 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











    $endgroup$















      45












      45








      45


      1



      $begingroup$


      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 appears to be neither a hydrodynamic nor aerodynamic feature. I could not find 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 appears to be neither a hydrodynamic nor aerodynamic feature. I could not find 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






      share|improve this question















      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      edited 2 days ago









      Notts90

      2,13231640




      2,13231640










      asked Apr 6 at 12:09









      Manu HManu H

      5,6841060139




      5,6841060139






















          3 Answers
          3






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          56












          $begingroup$

          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[o] 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











          $endgroup$









          • 8




            $begingroup$
            Re the drag in flight, an obvious question would be whether anyone had a retractable fairing behind the step to solve that problem? I hit Google and found a few places speculating about that (including US patent US6042052A in 1998), but no evidence of designers actually using one.
            $endgroup$
            – Graham
            Apr 6 at 23:41






          • 2




            $begingroup$
            @Graham I think the demand for better sea planes died around the time the Sea Dart and the Caspian Sea Monster. (Both of which incidentally had a different solution to the lift off from water problem than the step.) So lots of cool ideas but nobody to pay for actually using them.
            $endgroup$
            – Ville Niemi
            2 days ago










          • $begingroup$
            @VilleNiemi Yes, that was my thinking too. It did seem like something they could have tried before then, but I guess no-one did.
            $endgroup$
            – Graham
            2 days ago










          • $begingroup$
            A retractable fairing would complicate the design: the fairing has to seal perfectly against the step when it's extended, otherwise you're creating a giant scoop. It has to be sturdy enough not to be ripped off by the water. etc.
            $endgroup$
            – Hobbes
            yesterday










          • $begingroup$
            No, the angled part allows for rotating. The step reduces water drag.
            $endgroup$
            – bogl
            yesterday



















          28












          $begingroup$

          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









          $endgroup$





















            8












            $begingroup$

            As everybody has said, it's called a 'step'.



            But it's nothing to do with buoyancy, it's to do with the opposite effect - water suction. Without the step you will never get the airplane off the water simply due to the suction of the water clinging onto the airplane.



            The step forces a break in the water-suction, in the case of the Catalina above probably halving it, which then allows the lift of the airplane to overpower the remaining water suction.






            share|improve this answer









            $endgroup$














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              3 Answers
              3






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              3 Answers
              3






              active

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              active

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              active

              oldest

              votes









              56












              $begingroup$

              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[o] 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











              $endgroup$









              • 8




                $begingroup$
                Re the drag in flight, an obvious question would be whether anyone had a retractable fairing behind the step to solve that problem? I hit Google and found a few places speculating about that (including US patent US6042052A in 1998), but no evidence of designers actually using one.
                $endgroup$
                – Graham
                Apr 6 at 23:41






              • 2




                $begingroup$
                @Graham I think the demand for better sea planes died around the time the Sea Dart and the Caspian Sea Monster. (Both of which incidentally had a different solution to the lift off from water problem than the step.) So lots of cool ideas but nobody to pay for actually using them.
                $endgroup$
                – Ville Niemi
                2 days ago










              • $begingroup$
                @VilleNiemi Yes, that was my thinking too. It did seem like something they could have tried before then, but I guess no-one did.
                $endgroup$
                – Graham
                2 days ago










              • $begingroup$
                A retractable fairing would complicate the design: the fairing has to seal perfectly against the step when it's extended, otherwise you're creating a giant scoop. It has to be sturdy enough not to be ripped off by the water. etc.
                $endgroup$
                – Hobbes
                yesterday










              • $begingroup$
                No, the angled part allows for rotating. The step reduces water drag.
                $endgroup$
                – bogl
                yesterday
















              56












              $begingroup$

              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[o] 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











              $endgroup$









              • 8




                $begingroup$
                Re the drag in flight, an obvious question would be whether anyone had a retractable fairing behind the step to solve that problem? I hit Google and found a few places speculating about that (including US patent US6042052A in 1998), but no evidence of designers actually using one.
                $endgroup$
                – Graham
                Apr 6 at 23:41






              • 2




                $begingroup$
                @Graham I think the demand for better sea planes died around the time the Sea Dart and the Caspian Sea Monster. (Both of which incidentally had a different solution to the lift off from water problem than the step.) So lots of cool ideas but nobody to pay for actually using them.
                $endgroup$
                – Ville Niemi
                2 days ago










              • $begingroup$
                @VilleNiemi Yes, that was my thinking too. It did seem like something they could have tried before then, but I guess no-one did.
                $endgroup$
                – Graham
                2 days ago










              • $begingroup$
                A retractable fairing would complicate the design: the fairing has to seal perfectly against the step when it's extended, otherwise you're creating a giant scoop. It has to be sturdy enough not to be ripped off by the water. etc.
                $endgroup$
                – Hobbes
                yesterday










              • $begingroup$
                No, the angled part allows for rotating. The step reduces water drag.
                $endgroup$
                – bogl
                yesterday














              56












              56








              56





              $begingroup$

              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[o] 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[o] 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








              edited yesterday









              Federico

              26.4k16106157




              26.4k16106157










              answered Apr 6 at 12:32









              HobbesHobbes

              4,4001117




              4,4001117








              • 8




                $begingroup$
                Re the drag in flight, an obvious question would be whether anyone had a retractable fairing behind the step to solve that problem? I hit Google and found a few places speculating about that (including US patent US6042052A in 1998), but no evidence of designers actually using one.
                $endgroup$
                – Graham
                Apr 6 at 23:41






              • 2




                $begingroup$
                @Graham I think the demand for better sea planes died around the time the Sea Dart and the Caspian Sea Monster. (Both of which incidentally had a different solution to the lift off from water problem than the step.) So lots of cool ideas but nobody to pay for actually using them.
                $endgroup$
                – Ville Niemi
                2 days ago










              • $begingroup$
                @VilleNiemi Yes, that was my thinking too. It did seem like something they could have tried before then, but I guess no-one did.
                $endgroup$
                – Graham
                2 days ago










              • $begingroup$
                A retractable fairing would complicate the design: the fairing has to seal perfectly against the step when it's extended, otherwise you're creating a giant scoop. It has to be sturdy enough not to be ripped off by the water. etc.
                $endgroup$
                – Hobbes
                yesterday










              • $begingroup$
                No, the angled part allows for rotating. The step reduces water drag.
                $endgroup$
                – bogl
                yesterday














              • 8




                $begingroup$
                Re the drag in flight, an obvious question would be whether anyone had a retractable fairing behind the step to solve that problem? I hit Google and found a few places speculating about that (including US patent US6042052A in 1998), but no evidence of designers actually using one.
                $endgroup$
                – Graham
                Apr 6 at 23:41






              • 2




                $begingroup$
                @Graham I think the demand for better sea planes died around the time the Sea Dart and the Caspian Sea Monster. (Both of which incidentally had a different solution to the lift off from water problem than the step.) So lots of cool ideas but nobody to pay for actually using them.
                $endgroup$
                – Ville Niemi
                2 days ago










              • $begingroup$
                @VilleNiemi Yes, that was my thinking too. It did seem like something they could have tried before then, but I guess no-one did.
                $endgroup$
                – Graham
                2 days ago










              • $begingroup$
                A retractable fairing would complicate the design: the fairing has to seal perfectly against the step when it's extended, otherwise you're creating a giant scoop. It has to be sturdy enough not to be ripped off by the water. etc.
                $endgroup$
                – Hobbes
                yesterday










              • $begingroup$
                No, the angled part allows for rotating. The step reduces water drag.
                $endgroup$
                – bogl
                yesterday








              8




              8




              $begingroup$
              Re the drag in flight, an obvious question would be whether anyone had a retractable fairing behind the step to solve that problem? I hit Google and found a few places speculating about that (including US patent US6042052A in 1998), but no evidence of designers actually using one.
              $endgroup$
              – Graham
              Apr 6 at 23:41




              $begingroup$
              Re the drag in flight, an obvious question would be whether anyone had a retractable fairing behind the step to solve that problem? I hit Google and found a few places speculating about that (including US patent US6042052A in 1998), but no evidence of designers actually using one.
              $endgroup$
              – Graham
              Apr 6 at 23:41




              2




              2




              $begingroup$
              @Graham I think the demand for better sea planes died around the time the Sea Dart and the Caspian Sea Monster. (Both of which incidentally had a different solution to the lift off from water problem than the step.) So lots of cool ideas but nobody to pay for actually using them.
              $endgroup$
              – Ville Niemi
              2 days ago




              $begingroup$
              @Graham I think the demand for better sea planes died around the time the Sea Dart and the Caspian Sea Monster. (Both of which incidentally had a different solution to the lift off from water problem than the step.) So lots of cool ideas but nobody to pay for actually using them.
              $endgroup$
              – Ville Niemi
              2 days ago












              $begingroup$
              @VilleNiemi Yes, that was my thinking too. It did seem like something they could have tried before then, but I guess no-one did.
              $endgroup$
              – Graham
              2 days ago




              $begingroup$
              @VilleNiemi Yes, that was my thinking too. It did seem like something they could have tried before then, but I guess no-one did.
              $endgroup$
              – Graham
              2 days ago












              $begingroup$
              A retractable fairing would complicate the design: the fairing has to seal perfectly against the step when it's extended, otherwise you're creating a giant scoop. It has to be sturdy enough not to be ripped off by the water. etc.
              $endgroup$
              – Hobbes
              yesterday




              $begingroup$
              A retractable fairing would complicate the design: the fairing has to seal perfectly against the step when it's extended, otherwise you're creating a giant scoop. It has to be sturdy enough not to be ripped off by the water. etc.
              $endgroup$
              – Hobbes
              yesterday












              $begingroup$
              No, the angled part allows for rotating. The step reduces water drag.
              $endgroup$
              – bogl
              yesterday




              $begingroup$
              No, the angled part allows for rotating. The step reduces water drag.
              $endgroup$
              – bogl
              yesterday











              28












              $begingroup$

              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









              $endgroup$


















                28












                $begingroup$

                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









                $endgroup$
















                  28












                  28








                  28





                  $begingroup$

                  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 Apr 6 at 12:32









                  ymb1ymb1

                  70.1k7225372




                  70.1k7225372























                      8












                      $begingroup$

                      As everybody has said, it's called a 'step'.



                      But it's nothing to do with buoyancy, it's to do with the opposite effect - water suction. Without the step you will never get the airplane off the water simply due to the suction of the water clinging onto the airplane.



                      The step forces a break in the water-suction, in the case of the Catalina above probably halving it, which then allows the lift of the airplane to overpower the remaining water suction.






                      share|improve this answer









                      $endgroup$


















                        8












                        $begingroup$

                        As everybody has said, it's called a 'step'.



                        But it's nothing to do with buoyancy, it's to do with the opposite effect - water suction. Without the step you will never get the airplane off the water simply due to the suction of the water clinging onto the airplane.



                        The step forces a break in the water-suction, in the case of the Catalina above probably halving it, which then allows the lift of the airplane to overpower the remaining water suction.






                        share|improve this answer









                        $endgroup$
















                          8












                          8








                          8





                          $begingroup$

                          As everybody has said, it's called a 'step'.



                          But it's nothing to do with buoyancy, it's to do with the opposite effect - water suction. Without the step you will never get the airplane off the water simply due to the suction of the water clinging onto the airplane.



                          The step forces a break in the water-suction, in the case of the Catalina above probably halving it, which then allows the lift of the airplane to overpower the remaining water suction.






                          share|improve this answer









                          $endgroup$



                          As everybody has said, it's called a 'step'.



                          But it's nothing to do with buoyancy, it's to do with the opposite effect - water suction. Without the step you will never get the airplane off the water simply due to the suction of the water clinging onto the airplane.



                          The step forces a break in the water-suction, in the case of the Catalina above probably halving it, which then allows the lift of the airplane to overpower the remaining water suction.







                          share|improve this answer












                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer










                          answered yesterday









                          RACRAC

                          2,55559




                          2,55559






























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