Which Floatplane Works best for You?

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I realize there have been discussions and wishlists for more relistic water physics but I have been trying out floatplanes in FS2020 and I’ve noticed a big inconsistency in how they react on water landings and takeoffs. I really like the Xcub and, for more modern avionics, the Cessna G1000 with floats. However, they both bounce like crazy when landing or getting up to rotate speed on takeoffs. Sometimes they bounce so much on landings that they actually become airborne several times and sometimes even crash into the water. On the other hand, the DHC2 Beaver does much less of this and lands much more smoothly but it is not my favorite aircraft, being a lot more “rustic” and old school.

Has anyone found a floatplane or amphibean (I assume payware) that has modern avionics, etc. but actually reacts realistically or at least manageable on water.

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By far the best water handling comes from the Big Radials Goose (not to be confused with the default/ini Goose). You can feel it hop up onto the step and have to respect critical angle. As a bonus the Goose secretly has the best radial engine sounds in the sim. In a close second for water handling is the CAS Cub on floats. Unfortunately neither has what I’d call modern avionics by any stretch. So 50% ain’t bad?

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Seconded on the BR Goose. It’s one of my favorite addons period, but I have a soft spot for Grumman and vintage aircraft in general. I hope it gets an update for FS24.

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Have you tried the albatross-g111-hu16 ?
Edit: Apologies. As @kaha300d points out below, only in 2024 at the moment.

Edit #2: This aircraft is now available in 2020 - see this post.

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I think this is a 2020 thread, or is there a Albatross for 2020?

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BigRadial Goose also for me. Not the same category but the Wilga float plane from GotFriends is also very good.

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Thanks for the good suggestions.

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Sorry - edited cos I missed the “modern avionics” bit - and the JRF Goose would be no good as it’s even more antique than the Beaver you don’t like.

I’d suggest the Kodiak floatplane for that. It has a glass cockpit and performs well.

Daher Kodiak amphib paints 5
Daher Kodiak amphib paints 51097×412 93.4 KB
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Im Hog, like a Beast of a Walrus, Polar Bear. So the HU16 Goat fits da bell. That Kodiak by SWS will be good once its FS2024 native.

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I have bought the Kodiak and like it a lot but, like the other lighter float planes, it bounces all over the place on Landing and taking off.

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The Albatross is now available in the 2020 Marketplace:

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What happens if you Own the 2024 Premium deluxe and 2020 Deluxe??? Do I Have to pay again lol. For the HU16 I’d pay still, its worth every dollar in Canadian Gold and Diamonds.

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I’ve flown the Kodiak and Cessna in several differernt locations and weather conditions. No wind or turbulence, but when it hits the water it bounces like skipping a rock on water. After the 3rd or 4th bonce it can hit so hard it crashes. I didn’t have that issue with a much heavier plane like the DHC2.

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Oliver Moser’s F13 is nice. Works great in 2024 as well.

The Norseman has better water animations.

I’ll add the JU52 to this list as well.

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That is interesting. I’ve only tried Kodiak 100, DHC6, and Cessna 152 Floats. All bounced severely upon takeoff and landing, and not just in the speed range you mentioned. They had to slow down a lot before they stopped bouncing on landing. This was true before the last couple of updates as well so I think it’s a major flaw in the basic sim physics. Even FSX didn’t have this issue (although it was probably too smooth…)

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Big Radials Goose. No question. Damage model, one of the best sounds in entire Sim. It’s a great plane