True. There are two general use cases where I think flying boats would be viable tho:
Rescuing downed pilots: this is already covered by helos and tilt-rotors, so only in cases where the airspace is contested or in a wider theater (e.g., World War II) does that make sense.
Firefighting: while you are right that larger planes out of regular runaways are better, that can become a problem in remote areas or in cases where the fire is growing faster than the planes can rotate in. This was the case in Malibu and Palisades where the Canadair CL-415 Super Scoopers were able to do 10 runs by the time the bigger planes did even just one.
Carriers are scary fast, especially for how large they are.
Their unclassified flank speed is in excess of 30 kt.
The general blueprint for their use for SAR is:
Launch search aircraft, locate ships or swimmers in distress, have the search aircraft orbit and relay location, either dispatch the carrier, RHIBs (45-50kt), or a destroyer (35kt+).
If you're close enough to a carrier that they can hear your UHF radio, they can be at your location in at most 1 hour. Most marine radios only have about 20 miles of range if broadcasting/receiving through a mast.
That's what HC-130s and helicopters are for. The US has plenty of things that can keep a helicopter on deck (or in a hanger), they simply do not need the seaplane.
"Rendering assistance to distressed mariners is a mission that the entire carrier strike group takes very seriously, and it is just the right thing to do," said Rear Adm. Marc Miguez, commander, IKECSG, Carrier Strike Group 2.
the US has lots of bases all around the world, and very long-range patrol aircraft. But yeah maybe there's a small gap in the capabilities that something like the shin mayaw could provide. i guess it's not worth it given the cost
I am irrationally obsessed with this plane. IMO it's second only to the Sea King as the best SAR aircraft ever produced, and it packs so many cool features into one airframe.
There were conversations of PBY Catalina flying boats after WWII into what was basically a high end flying houseboat. If I had ungodly sums of money I would be making those again. The idea of one of those but electric is probably fantasy but very appealing.
That's a flying boat, not a floatplane. Floatplanes are typically land based planes with the regular landing gear replaced with, you guessed it, floats, and the fuselage stays out of the water. If the bottom of the fuselage is shaped like a boat hull and sits in the water, it's a flying boat.
Taskforce58@reddit
It's not too far fetched to say the US-2 is a descendant of the WW2 H8K Emily, since ShinMaywa is the successor to the Kawanishi company.
CerealATA@reddit
H8K, my beloved.
Ruskiwaffle1991@reddit
Only Japan, Russia, and China seem to be taking this whole modern flying boat thing seriously, so why not America or the other Pacific nations?
propsie@reddit
The US military keeps flirting with an amphibious C-130 conversion.
But what niche do you see a dedicated amphibious search and rescue/firefighting/patrol aircraft fulfilling that isn't already covered by faster, longer range conventional aircraft based off commercial airliners supported by ships and drones?
Maximus560@reddit
True. There are two general use cases where I think flying boats would be viable tho:
propsie@reddit
Yeah, and then I guess the question for aerial firefighting is whether the benefit of an amphibious firefighter is worth the cost of developing/purchasing/maintaining a whole separate airframe compared to alternatives, especially when you can buy ten $7M 737 Fireliners for the cost of one US-2.
Rears4Deers@reddit
Yeah just let me use an aircraft carrier for search and rescue operations at sea. It will surely arrive by the time help is needed
the_Q_spice@reddit
Carriers are scary fast, especially for how large they are.
Their unclassified flank speed is in excess of 30 kt.
The general blueprint for their use for SAR is:
Launch search aircraft, locate ships or swimmers in distress, have the search aircraft orbit and relay location, either dispatch the carrier, RHIBs (45-50kt), or a destroyer (35kt+).
If you're close enough to a carrier that they can hear your UHF radio, they can be at your location in at most 1 hour. Most marine radios only have about 20 miles of range if broadcasting/receiving through a mast.
Syrdon@reddit
That's what HC-130s and helicopters are for. The US has plenty of things that can keep a helicopter on deck (or in a hanger), they simply do not need the seaplane.
propsie@reddit
literally yes?
wemblinger@reddit
Catalina 2: Seaplane Boogaloo
erhue@reddit
ill believe it when i see it built lol
erhue@reddit
the US has lots of bases all around the world, and very long-range patrol aircraft. But yeah maybe there's a small gap in the capabilities that something like the shin mayaw could provide. i guess it's not worth it given the cost
fireinthesky7@reddit
I am irrationally obsessed with this plane. IMO it's second only to the Sea King as the best SAR aircraft ever produced, and it packs so many cool features into one airframe.
W0AMT@reddit
The most awesome 5 engine amphibious patrol plane. The fifth engine provides extra lift by blowing air over the flaps.
Orthography_is_godly@reddit
Where is the 5th engine located?
W0AMT@reddit
On top of the fuselage aft of the rear spar.
https://www.reddit.com/r/WeirdWings/s/NxUmZ4z3hG
Orthography_is_godly@reddit
Ta!
FluffyDeer9323@reddit
I think we need more floatplanes.
rasmusdf@reddit
100% And small recreational ones for private use - electrically powered. It would be so cool.
griff1@reddit
There were conversations of PBY Catalina flying boats after WWII into what was basically a high end flying houseboat. If I had ungodly sums of money I would be making those again. The idea of one of those but electric is probably fantasy but very appealing.
rasmusdf@reddit
Yes, it would be fantastic.
JumboChimp@reddit
That's a flying boat, not a floatplane. Floatplanes are typically land based planes with the regular landing gear replaced with, you guessed it, floats, and the fuselage stays out of the water. If the bottom of the fuselage is shaped like a boat hull and sits in the water, it's a flying boat.
And we need more of both.
How else to get to Fantasy Island...
erhue@reddit
floatplane noun float·plane ˈflōt-ˌplān : a seaplane supported on the water by one or more floats
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/floatplane
maybe you were thinking of an amphibian
Agent_of_talon@reddit
💯
DukeBradford2@reddit
flying boat, It would be my lottery jackpot splurge.
ImmersivePencil@reddit
Such awesome capability. Watching this plane „lift” off the water is amazing.
iamalsobrad@reddit
It really is.
NoDoze-@reddit
Damn. Sign me up!
propsie@reddit
I love how they levitate out of the sea
Corkscrewer45@reddit
Amphibious aircraft are stupid cool. They fill an important niche.
Taptrick@reddit
I wish Canada would buy some of those.
domesystem@reddit
This is my new white whale in sky cards. Never see em
AllHailTheWinslow@reddit
Noice.