Flying boats are fixed-wing aircraft with hulls like boats, allowing them to land on water instsead of runways. Lakes, seas, reflecting pools, you name it.
In the early history of flight this kind of thing was popular because there were a lot of places without runways and airstrips, and a lot of those that did exist were too small to accomodate larger, long-distance airplanes. There were other advantages too - because their size wasn't limited by the length of runways, they could be built to an impressive size, and had longer range than land-based airplanes. I imagine it was also comforting to be able to land safely on the water in case of mechanical problems.
I think my favorite flying boat is the Dornier Do X (pictured in the thumbnail) which was made in the 1920's. In addition to seats for about a hundred passengers, its three decks contained an onboard kitchen, a dining room, multiple bathrooms, and a bar. Each nacelle on the top has two engines, for a total of twelve. There's just something magnificent about it.
In the 21st century flying boats are quite rare, although there are a few models used for fighting wildfires. The CL-415 Super Scooper for example, can skim the surface of a lake or reservoir for a few seconds and take in more than six thousand liters of water without stopping!
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::: spoiler harassment
So, why is harassment funny sometimes? Like, today some guy walking past me said "damn, I still wouldn't fuck [unintelligible (possibly 'that')]" in a very overemphasized tone, and it just was kinda hilarious. Like, buddy, I wouldn't fuck you either but ya dont see me whingeing on about it. And I know its supposed to be a put down, and that its rooted in cishet mans self importance that he is the arbiter of who (or rather, what, as the proverbial cishetman doesn't relate to those he finds attractive as people) is "fuckable", but goddamn it was just kinda funny. Like, I'm living rent free in this guys head, all his thoughts about me are about sex and how he doesn't want to have sex with me, and I'm just living my little life over here
goddamn its just constant with these people.
Less funny today.
Normally I just get the odd rando screaming slurs at me, which is eh whatever not fun but not something I'm gonna do anything about.
spoiler apparently my fuckability is greatly contested by the local hatemongers
I walk to my car. Fiddle with the keys and hear "would you hit that?". Get in and look up and see two construction workers glancing off and on my way, one says something and the other acts embarrassed and ashamed in what I read as a "two men doing man play time/ribbing" way. They keep glancing at me. Dollars to donuts one of em recognized I'm trans (the work site has been up for a while, and I walk past every day) and asked the other if he would "hit that", and then gets to make fun of his bud for "being gay" and "wanting to fuck a removed".
Just like, goddamn, I'm so glad I'm not attracted to men. The bar is in hell. Sometimes I forget just how entitled and crass and shitty and just like... Why? Genuinely how is this a male bonding fun time thing? I get how it functions but I think I'll always be baffled as to why people like doing this shit, how is it fun for either of them?