| This thesis examines the floatwing waterborne aircraft concept as developed by Aquavion Systems Corporation. Unlike its seaplane predecessors, which make use of conventional floats as with "floatplanes" or a boat-like hull as with "flying boats", the float wing uses the main wing as the primary buoyant volume and the exclusive hydrodynamic surface. The concept was proven and analyzed through experimentation with a 72&inches; wing span radio-controlled prototype. The aerodynamic properties of the R/C model were studied through wind tunnel experiments conducted with a 42% scale model. Estimates of the stability derivatives were obtained from the wind tunnel test results and from analytical calculations and applied to the small disturbance theory to verify the longitudinal and lateral stability of the configuration. |
