The first point to consider is whether the design should take the form of a monoplane or a biplane. For a reasonably low wing loading and high aspect ratio one immediately finds that the structural weight of the wings alone comes-out rather heavy for a monoplane. If to this be added the necessarily relatively high structure weight of the hull and floats, one is led to the conclusion that to keep the weight down so that the machine may come under the term “ light,” a biplane seems preferable to a monoplane. There is also the point that it is desirable to keep the ailerons well clear of the water. This is easily arranged in the case of a biplane by having the ailerons on the top wing only.

One next considers whether it would be preferable to have a twin-float seaplane or a flying boat design. The flying boat can be moored out in all weathers short of a gale. This is a great advantage from the ordinary user's point of view. The twin-float seaplane does not possess, in one's opinion, this advantage to the same degree.