Hydroplaning

Hydroplaning and hydroplane have several meanings:

• With boats, planing or hydroplaning is a method by which a hull skims over the surface of the water, rather than plowing through it.
• With rubber wheeled vehicles, aquaplaning, planing or hydroplaning is a cause of loss of steering control when a layer of water prevents direct contact between the tires and the road surface.

• Hydroplane often refers to a specific type of fast motorized boat.
• Hydroplane sometimes refers to any watercraft that is specially designed to plane, for example a hydrofoil.
• Hydroplane sometimes refers to a seaplane, an aircraft that can land on water.
• Hydroplane is also a technical term for a submarine wing used to help control depth, analogous to the elevators on the tail of an aircraft.

The above terms can vary in meaning, particularly comparing usage in the US and in Europe.