Zenair Float Sizes

Zenair Floats are given a designation number depending on their size. This designation number also corresponds to the flotation of the floats. For example, the #1450 floats are designed for use on aircraft with a MTOW of up to 1,450 pounds. Note that the #1150 amphibious floats are more like 1250 floats and will work  well on an aircraft with a MTOW of 1,250 lbs., however, they are too small for an LSA aircraft with a 1,420 pound gross on floats. 

The smaller sizes of Zenair straight floats easily carry their own weight in straight and level flight; amphibious and larger float sizes carry slightly less (exact percentages vary depending on speed of aircraft and on the rigging of the floats - i.e. angle of incidence).  Contact the designer/manufacturer of your aircraft for more information on float-weight allowances (re. 'useful-load' and 'MTOM') and for potential changes to design load limits when operating your aircraft equipped with floats.

Warning:  Floats on an aircraft will greatly increase its utility and fun factor (yeah!); make sure, however, that when installing floats, you do not inadvertently surpass the maximum allowable gross weight (legal MTOM) for the CAA category that your aircraft is registered in:
                          CATEGORY:                                                      MAX. GROS WEIGHT ALLOWED:
                          Experimental category...................................No Maximum Weight limit in most countries
                          Light Sport category (LSA)............................1320 lbs + float allowance (110 lbs) = 1430 lbs
                          Advanced Ultralight (Canada)......................1232 lbs (there is no float allowance for AULA)
                          ULM category (Europe)..................................Different for different countries; check local rules...

ZENAIR FLOATS

 

Weight per Float

 

Length

 

 

Max

Width

 

Parts Kit

Pre-Drilled

kit

750# Straight

35 lbs

12.5 feet

21"

Yes

Yes

950# Straight

50 lbs

12.5 feet

24"

Yes

Yes

1150# Straight

55 lbs

15.5 feet

24"

Yes

Yes

1150# Amphibious

90 lbs

15.5 feet

24"

Yes

Yes

1450# Straight

60 lbs

15.5 feet

27"

Yes

Yes

1450# Amphibious

100 lbs

15.5 feet

27"

Yes

Yes

1700# Straight

95 lbs

17.5 feet

30"

Yes

Yes

2200# Straight

110 lbs

17.5 feet

32.5"

Yes

Yes

2200# Amphibious

160 lbs

17.5 feet

32.5"

Yes

Yes

2500# Straight

115 lbs

17.5 feet

34"

Yes

Yes

2500# Amphibious

165 lbs

17.5 feet

34"

Yes

Yes
Note: Factory-built ZENAIR floats are assembled with sealed blind rivets and marine adhesive in order to keep  costs down and to simplify maintenance. For the larger floats, the extrusions are solid riveted as to maximize the strength. Kit customers assembling their own floats have a choice of assembling with the same sealed blind rivets; common aircraft solid-rivets can also be used instead. The standard hydraulic system includes a manual hand pump that is mounted close to the pilot. Pump used is a high quality Parker type with remote oil reservoir. An optional electric Parker pump is also available and can be mounted anywhere in the fuselage. Price for the manual or electric pump is the same. 
Picture
Picture
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.
All information is subject to change without notice and figures are approximates only.
NOTICE: If you are considering Zenair Floats for a Type-Certificated aircraft (NOT EXPERIMENTAL), please read the Q&A.