Abstract

In this short paper a fast comparison between a seaplane and a WIG craft is presented, based on the approximate calculation of the required power at level flight and cruising speed. Two similar capacity generic crafts are used, one seaplane flying at 10000 ft at 300 km/h IAS and the other one flying at 7 m from the sea surface also at 300 km/h. It was found as expected, especially if an improvement is added, that the one flying in ground effect requires less power than the seaplane.

Keywords

floatplane, WIG craft, humanitarian purposes, marine hull