COMBINATION SKI A type of aircraft ski that can be used on snow or ice, but that also allows the use of the skiplane’s wheels for landing on runways.

CREST The top of a wave.

CURRENT The horizontal movement of a body of water.

DAYBEACONS Unlighted beacons.

DAYMARKS Conspicuous markings or shapes that aid in making navigational aids readily visible and easy to identify against daylight viewing backgrounds.

DECK The top of the float, which can serve as a step or walkway. Bilge pump openings, hand hole covers, and mooring cleats are typically located along the deck.

DISPLACEMENT POSITION The attitude of the seaplane when its entire weight is supported by the buoyancy of the floats, as it is when at rest or during a slow taxi. Also called the idling position.

DOCK To secure a seaplane to a permanent structure fixed to the shore. As a noun, the platform or structure to which the seaplane is secured.

DOWNSWELL Motion in the same direction the swell is moving.

FETCH An area where wind is generating waves on the water surface. Also the distance the waves have been driven by the wind blowing in a constant direction without obstruction.

FLOATPLANE A seaplane equipped with separate floats to support the fuselage well above the water surface.

FLOATS The components of a floatplane’s landing gear that provide the buoyancy to keep the airplane afloat.

FLOATS-ON-SKIDS A type of helicopter float design where the floats sit on top of the fully functional skids. During water operations, the floats support the weight of the aircraft, and on hard surfaces the skids support the weight of the aircraft.

FLYING BOAT A type of seaplane in which the crew, passengers, and cargo are carried inside a fuselage that is designed to support the seaplane on the water. Also called a hull seaplane.

GLASSY WATER A calm water surface with no distinguishable surface features, with a glassy or mirror like appearance. Glassy water can deceive a pilot’s depth perception.

HEIGHT-TO-LENGTH RATIO The ratio between the height of a swell to the length between two successive crests (swell length).