Zenair Floats
  • Zenair Ltd
    • History of Zenair Floats
    • Contact Us
    • Gift Shop
  • Technical
    • Sample Float Drawings
    • Sample Assembly Details
    • Assembly Manuals
    • Rigging
  • Float Sizes
    • Overview
    • 1150#
    • 1450#
    • 2200# & 2500#
  • Prices
  • Q&A
  • Galleries
    • Gallery I (diff. designs)
    • Gallery II (on Zenairs)
    • Videos
  • Documents
  • Quote Request
    • Ordering

1450# Zenair Float

Available as straight or amphibious floats. These floats were especially designed for LSA and SLSA manufacturers.  
Special features:
  • Lightweight and very strong
  • 6061-T6 aluminum
  • Fiberglass tips
  • Extruded aluminum keel
  • Top stiffener / walkway
Picture
  • Easy to install spreader bar system to floats
  • Use of a 3M Marine Adhesive Sealer for sealing the floats but also adds to the overall strength
  • Option of using a special sealed pull rivet or standard solid rivet. Using the pull rivet will lower about 50% of the building process.
  • Available as a parts kit, as a pre-drilled kit or factory assembled.
ZENAIR FLOATS
Weight per float
Length
Max. Width
Standard Kit
#1450 Straight
60 lbs
15.5 feet
27"
Available
#1450 Amphibious
100 lbs
15.5 feet
27"
Available
​Float weights are approximate and includes the wheels/brakes in amphibious models. Weight does not include Rigging / Spreader bars kit or hydraulic pump, paint and/or other optional equipment. For fuselage mounting hardware, contact the airframe manufacturer.
Picture
Amphibious nose wheel details:
- Free castering wheel with self centering spring system.
- Heavy duty 3/16” aluminum arm moves the wheels up & down.
- Grease fittings installed at wheel rotating system and at axle for low wear.
- Nose wheel hub is manufactured by Grove, sealed bearings and treated aluminum hub.
- Tire is extra large at 9” diameter.
- Hydraulic cylinders moves the wheels up & down

Click below for video of Zenair Floats on a  KITFOX IV and on a HIGHLANDER
Picture
Picture
Zenair Floats on the Highlander
Amphibious main wheel details:
- 500x5 heavy duty hub with brakes.
- Hub system is anodized A356 aluminum.
- Watertight lip seals are used in place of normal felt seals.
- Grease retainer installed between wheel halves.
- Tire used is extra large at 14” diameter, making it the best floats for grass strip landings.
- Mechanical system locks wheels in the down position and therefore does not stress the hydraulic system on hard landings.
- Hydraulic cylinders moves the wheels up & down.
- Gear system is connected to 2 bulkheads for extra strength. Bulkheads are 0.032 thick aluminum and reinforced with 1/8” thick extrusions.
- Hydraulic system is operated by either an electric hydraulic and/or mechanical pump system.
- The compact  electric unit is completely self-contained with motor, gear pump, reservoir, internal valving, load hold checks and relief valves. Electric motor uses 20 amp for only a few seconds.
- The electrically powered unit weight is about 6 lbs and can be installed just about anywhere in the fuselage which can aid in establishing proper CG position. Power unit is then operated by a 3 way switch mounted on the instrument panel. 2 flexible high pressure nylon type hoses run from the pump to each float.
- The mechanical pump has an external hydraulic oil reservoir and does require more time to install. The pump is typically mounted in front of the pilot seat for easy pumping with reservoir in the rear fuselage. Weight is the same as the electric system and same high pressure nylon lines are used.
The Zenair #1450 floats above are installed on a 2-seat Highlander kit aircraft. Says the owner: LOTS OF FUN!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Zenair #1450A floats on the Savage LSA
Two high quality hydraulic units are available. Both are compact and lightweight at about 6 lbs each. The oil tank of the electric unit (left in above photo) is easy to inspect and to fill. Both systems have pressure release valves to make sure that the hydraulic system does not become overloaded. When ordering your floats, specify which unit you want.
Picture
Electric or Manual pump - you choose!
Picture
The BushCat by SkyReach on Zenair 1450A floats
Picture

Testimonial & comments from a Kitfox Super 7 owner:
"We just had our 2nd season with the Kitfox 7 on your 1450 floats - cannot get enough of flying with it!
...Regarding the 1450 float size,  I cannot see any reason why they would have to be bigger for the Kitfox Super 7 as so far my experience - even at gross weight of 1,550 lbs - was great!  Bigger floats would add drag and I am not sure if they would improve anything on the water."  Tom in B.C.
Picture
Zenair 1450 floats on Kitfox 7

Another Float Kit assembler who: "...couldn't be more pleased with [his] float-equipped Kitfox"

Weights are approximate and includes the wheels/brakes and hydraulics on the floats. Weight does not include Rigging/Spreader bars kit, hydraulic pump mounted in aircraft, paint or other optional equipment. All information is approximate and subject to change without notice.
© 2010 - 2022 Zenair Floats