Amphibious aircraft

An amphibious aircraft is an aircraft that can routinely both by water and by land operate. This is achieved by the use of floats or hulls for underwater use, combined with a retractable landing gear for use on land. Frequently amphibious aircraft, the wheels may extend also in the water and then roll on a slipway on land.

The world 's largest amphibian is the Russian Beriev Be - 42, which flew for the first time in 1986. It has a wingspan of 42 meters and reaches with two jet engines, a top speed of 760 km / h