http://www.oceanair.ca/seaplane_oceanair_continuing_wow_factor.pdfInside, the inlet opens out to a maximum of 1 mile wide, with a small island in the widest part, and there is hardly any wind. The landing is therefore for “glassy water”, and we set up a descent. With glassy water, it is very difficult to judge height in the final stages of the approach, even with the help of peripheral vision. This inlet is a sea inlet, so altimeter is OK down to about 50ft, then a descent in the landing attitude is needed, not more than 100, preferably 50’/min. The straight part of the inlet is about miles long, and it takes best part of half a mile to splash down. The suction from the floats causes a pitch forward, and this has to be checked with elevator, so its throttle to idle and back on the yoke as soon as we’re down.
Yes, or birds on a branch etc.For me, 'alighting' is what passengers do from a plane.
I don't think there is any real difference, except perhaps with the snow. I think that living things alight; people, birds etc. whereas aeroplanes land or touch down.There may be a different meaning in BrEng. I copied this from the American Heritage Dictionary.
To descend and settle, lodge, rest, or stop; as, a flying bird alights on a tree; snow alights on a roof. [1913 Webster]
- To come down and settle, as after flight: a sparrow alighting on a branch.
- To get down, as from a vehicle: dismount: The queen alighted from the carriage.
- To come by chance: alight on a happy solution.
And -
The snow alighting on the roof sounds a little strange to me, but I (A speaker of BrE) and happy with the rest. I don't think that means we can use it for a normal seaplane's normal 'landing'. Birds and snow are rather lighter than seaplanes.There may be a different meaning in BrEng. I copied this from the American Heritage Dictionary.
To descend and settle, lodge, rest, or stop; as, a flying bird alights on a tree; snow alights on a roof. [1913 Webster]
- To come down and settle, as after flight: a sparrow alighting on a branch.
- To get down, as from a vehicle: dismount: The queen alighted from the carriage.
- To come by chance: alight on a happy solution.
And -
I think not.And "splash up" for takeoff?