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Can you install AFM Floats (Zenair or Full-Lotus) on a Type-Certificated aircraft (i.e. Piper, Cessna, etc.)?
We are often asked this question since our floats (both straight and amphibious floats) will fit most two and four-seat light aircraft and they are so much more affordable than certified floats (Edo, Aerocet, Clamar, Wipaire, Bowmann, etc.)...
The answer is a "qualified" yes:
1) If your type-certificated aircraft (Piper, Cessna, Taylorcraft, Maule, Husky, etc.) has been re-registered into the self-maintenance/Experimental category, you may no longer require an STC or field approval to install Zenair floats on your aircraft (refer to the applicable regulations). Installation of the floats should be in accordance with AC 43-13, the FAA’s “Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices” handbook. Just choose the float-size you need based on the Gross Weight of your aircraft (see the charts at the Zenair Floats and/or the Full Lotus websites), order, assemble, install and enjoy!
2) To install non-certified equipment on a Type-Certificated aircraft, you need to obtain a one-time “field approval” in order to remain paperwork-legal. Zenair and/or Full-Lotus floats are not certified, therefore a Field Approval will be required to install/operate the floats on a certified aircraft. "Field approvals" are obtained from the Government (FAA or other CAA) with the assistance of a certified aircraft mechanic (A&P). Approval will be more or less easy depending on the individual(s) processing the paperwork with/for you. For more information on "field approvals", you can visit this website: http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/field_approvals/field_approv_proc/
Note: Aircraft Floats Manufacturing does not keep track of individual Field Approvals that have already been issued for our floats on Type Certificated aircraft. To find out if a U.S. Field Approval for Zenair or Full-Lotus floats has already been granted for your particular aircraft make/model, please consult the FAA data-base. For other countries, please check with your local CAA.
Pictured below: New non-certified Full-Lotus floats on a classic type-certificated Taylorcraft:
The answer is a "qualified" yes:
1) If your type-certificated aircraft (Piper, Cessna, Taylorcraft, Maule, Husky, etc.) has been re-registered into the self-maintenance/Experimental category, you may no longer require an STC or field approval to install Zenair floats on your aircraft (refer to the applicable regulations). Installation of the floats should be in accordance with AC 43-13, the FAA’s “Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices” handbook. Just choose the float-size you need based on the Gross Weight of your aircraft (see the charts at the Zenair Floats and/or the Full Lotus websites), order, assemble, install and enjoy!
2) To install non-certified equipment on a Type-Certificated aircraft, you need to obtain a one-time “field approval” in order to remain paperwork-legal. Zenair and/or Full-Lotus floats are not certified, therefore a Field Approval will be required to install/operate the floats on a certified aircraft. "Field approvals" are obtained from the Government (FAA or other CAA) with the assistance of a certified aircraft mechanic (A&P). Approval will be more or less easy depending on the individual(s) processing the paperwork with/for you. For more information on "field approvals", you can visit this website: http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/field_approvals/field_approv_proc/
Note: Aircraft Floats Manufacturing does not keep track of individual Field Approvals that have already been issued for our floats on Type Certificated aircraft. To find out if a U.S. Field Approval for Zenair or Full-Lotus floats has already been granted for your particular aircraft make/model, please consult the FAA data-base. For other countries, please check with your local CAA.
Pictured below: New non-certified Full-Lotus floats on a classic type-certificated Taylorcraft:
