[gurps] Re: Waterworld Express

[Eric Funk]

> Unspoken assumptions, like no long runways. Seaplanes have
> both "real" and rules-derived problems. Historically, many
> seaplanes required headwinds for takeoff with a full load,
> which I didn't want for a TL10 design. And the rules have
> problems with water speed calculations augmented by wings
> for lift. The rules for planing compare water thrust with
> loaded weight, without loopholes for this special case.

IIRC, RL Seaplanes may also be designed to take advantage of the wing in 
ground effect, greatly increasing lift (up to 40%) if the plane is within 
1x-1.5x its wingspan of the ground...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_effect_in_aircraft


-
Eric Funk
"Knowledge Brings Fear" -- Motto of Mars University, Futurama