Look up: sponsons

1. 
   Sponsons
   Short wing-like projections on each side of the lower portion of a flying-boat hull to maintain its lateral balance on the water. They are usually of aerofoil section to give some return for their parasitic influence on aerodynamic performance. They serve as useful landing platforms as well as their main purpose of giving stability on the water, an...
   Found on http://www.aeroplanemonthly.com/glossary
   
   
2. 
   sponsons
   short,thin,wing-like structure projecting from aeroplane or helicopter fuselage to carry weapons,external tanks,guns and possibly other devices Category: Transport • projection from flying-boat hull in form of short thick wing to provide stability on water in place of outer-wing floats Category: Transport
   Found on http://www.mijnwoordenboek.nl/definition