Floatplane

This, coupled with the increased availability of civilian airstrips, has greatly reduced the number of flying boats being built.

These floatplanes have found their niche as one type of bush plane, for light duty transportation to lakes and other remote areas as well as to small/hilly islands without proper airstrips.

Floatplanes have often been derived from land-based aircraft, with fixed floats mounted under the fuselage instead of an undercarriage (featuring wheels).

Additionally, on all but the largest seaplanes, floatplane wings usually offer more clearance over obstacles, such as docks, reducing the difficulty in loading while on the water.

A typical single engine flying boat is unable to bring the hull alongside a dock for loading while most floatplanes are able to do so.