The model N of the Cessna 172 was not officially build to support water floats. However, there are a certain number of this models that were successfully fixed with floats by their owners and enthusiast. This modification results especially useful in places where the landscape is full of lakes, rivers and shores.

This adaptation works pretty fine for up to three not too heavy occupants, with two people you can relax and enjoy the ride. As the original N model is powered with a 160 Hp engine the floats chosen, in most of the cases, are the light EDO 2000 or similar; the same we fixed to this model. The handicap of this combination is the low floatability, which some users see as funny to operate. Anyway, you must proceed with caution at takeoff especially with company aboard.

This C172N Floatplane “Improved Edition” focuses on refining systems programming as well as modeling and performance details. Also it includes some additional features for better experience, some of which comes from user preferences.

External and interior model

• Highly accurate and optimized modeling for good performance; every visible mechanism or part on interior and exterior are modeled on detail
• Elevator angle is affected by trimming setting due to prop wash or the free airstream; the yoke feedbacks due to this action as well
• Almost every parts or mechanism is animated in the external and internal model. Engine vibration is simulated, as well as flexible items like antennas and static dischargers. Pitot cover end dance with the airspeed
• Texturing are applied depending on the relevance of the point of view, providing the user with a nice environment while keeps a friendly Frame Rate
• Ambience reflections, bumps, damages, dirt and sun reflect effects are applied, no matter the angle you are looking
• Open doors will close depending on the intensity of prop wash and the free airstream or the angle and the intensity of the wind, in case you are stopped
• The cabin can be full of occupants, depending on the individual payload station weight setting. Pilot arms are animated with the pilot´s yoke and all characters have natural animations on heads and eyelids
• Several cameras are included for external inspection or just for alternative point of views for your enjoyment
• Custom 3D lights in all positions for a better visual experience. The landing and taxi light includes an spotlight effect that is stronger at low visibility days or nights
• Custom water splash effect

Virtual cockpit

• Warm fully 3D ambience is experimented on the cockpit by the use of a right balance between shadows and lights, relaxing colors tone, precise and detailed model, and a leather upholstery work
• Interior illumination is “real”, no texturing night-bright are used apart of gauges, in an attempt to offer the right ambience feeling. A red and white cabin lights combines to offer a realistic night flying experience. For easiest access in darkness, two custom keys combination were included on the cockpit view
• Full 3D gauges in two different avionics that offers:
  - Sound panel Garmin GMA 340
  - Custom GPS Garmin GNS 430 or Bendix/King KX 155 TSO radio 1
  - Bendix/King KX 155 TSO radio 2
  - Transponder Garmin GTX 330
  - None or Collins ADF 650 TSO receiver (Includes NDB finder, of course)
  - None or Bendix/King DME receiver
• Optional dynamic precipitation drops on windshield and windows. Wings project “shadow” on lateral windows when you are immobile under the rain, which changes when the movement forces the angle of incidence of the rain
• Four interior cameras are included. In order: Pilot, avionics zoom, front passenger and rear-right passenger. The pilot´s yoke is removable for accessing light switches and the fully functional breakers
• Almost everything that you see on the cockpit is functional and/or animated. Doors and handlers, switches, buttons, sunshields, windows, pilot´s yoke lock, levers, yokes cord, and so (pedal´s brake movement and parking lever are limited in this floatplane version, of course)
• 2D panels are included for setup the aircraft (including few options), read checklists, check cabin temp, extinguish fire, aircraft relocated tool and more
• All mouse action could be useful on several buttons, switches, levers or animated objects; giving the user more flexibility and/or accuracy for dealing with the many cockpit functions
• Custom key combination to reset the engine and DATCON counters. It also let save its records when saving the flight

Paint schemes

This model includes four liveries and a white paint, useful for those which like to make its own designs. Here are the liveries included:

• N320XA - Blue strips based on 1979 Cessna factory scheme, USA
• G-GNRT - Blue strips based on 1980 Cessna factory scheme, UK
• I-SAAB - Aero Club Como based on 1980 Cessna factory scheme (with modifications), Italy
• D-GRMN – Red strips based on 1976 Cessna factory scheme (Model M), Germany

Systems and additional features

• Realistic flight dynamics tested by actual pilots. The on-water performance is refined to match, as near as possible, the actual performance of this specific C172N variant
• Engine combustion with realistic performance and failures are simulated based on carburetor icing, soiled spark plugs, engine condition or even water ingestion on hard landings or big waves. Due to abuse, the engine can burn or fails permanently; the fire can be extinguish in flight with the proper procedure or on ground, using a fire extinguisher tool
• Stall horn system is realistically replicated; as in the actual aircraft you can fly indefinitely with the stall warning active
• Engine smoke and fire effect is included. As well the engine fire emits a sound to warn the pilot
• Custom sounds for switches, avionics buttons, engine, stall and doors
• Complex electrical system with functional breakers that affect each system
• Cabin temp system is included, with a 2D thermometer indication. Conditions like cabin seal (doors, windows, Heat lever and Air lever positions), engine hot, external temp, airstream produced by the propeller and the external free airstream will affect this system