PA-12 and PA-12S Gross Weight

[-12 Flyer]

The Gross weight on my PA-12 is 1750 lbs. I hear that there were a select few PA-12's that were designated as 'S' models, and were sent direct from the Piper Factory to Kenmore to be fitted with EDO-2000 floats. The GW on the PA-12S is greater (I think 1950). Does it follow that when my PA-12 is on EDO 2000s it becomes a PA-12S (at least for W&B purposes?) Any insight would be great!

 

[T.J.]

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[T.J.]

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[CRANMAN]

Pa-12 gross weight

T.J. is right. You can get a STC for a gross weight of 1935#.

 

[akpa-12]

i dont know about the gw issue but when i put my 12 on floats i was told that a "standard" 12 needed some fuselage modification for a legal installation. this could be done either at the time of recover(easiest) or later by welding in 2 small struts in the cabin near the front float attach points. i had this done by charlie center. i'm not an A&P and maybe this wasnt truly necessary but maybe some of the experts could comment.

 

[leon tallman]

PA12s

when you add the tubes which is required fot floats and make the log book entery it becomes a 12s. call jerry at kenmore

 

[mvivion]

Isn't a ventral fin also required of the 12 on floats? Seems to me I recall that it is.

MTV

 

[-12 Flyer]

MTV,
I've got an STC for a rudder centering device in lieu of a vertical fin for the EDO 2000 floats. I guess it would be otherwise required.

 

[Mikey]

So if it was manufactured as an -12S (or modified w/ tubes added) do you get the 1835#GW when operating on wheels? TC A-780 for -12S shows as required equipment item #204 "Edo 89-2000 Floats w/ water rudder and seaplane fin..." So on wheels, does that make you plane now a straight -12 w/ 1750#GW? Love to have that extra 85# when a friendly FSDO friend shows up on the ramp w/ his bathroom scale.
Chris

 

[Fishkiller12]

I'm about to be dragged through this knothole, so I'll be very interested in the discussion here. As far as I understand, the structural mods to the front float attach points are highly recommended, but not required. I agree that this installation does not change the 12 to the 12S, and allowable gross weight is unaffected. The required ventral fin can be eliminated with a rudder centering device, as previously mentioned. That's the extent of my research so far. I'm also pursuing an engineering approval to install EDO 2000s with modified 18 rigging on the PA-12. This was done to a buddy's -14 before field approvals vanished. Can anyone enlighten me on the DER process?

Jeff