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Glassy Waters

Glassy waters look amazingly inviting as clouds or shore features are reproduced in stunning detail and full color. But they may give the pilot a false sense of safety. When the water is crystal clear and glassy, the surface itself is invisible. All this can lead to loss of depth preception, illusions and increased drag and suction between the water and the floats, which requires special techniques for take-off and landing.

Since ten years we go regularly on flyouts together within Switzerland and overborder to France, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Austria. Mark carefully recorded these trips on www.sepl.ch, including a calendar of flyouts to come. Since this calendar first appeared online, there was a particular item at the end of the list: Canada 2005, a trip through Canada by seaplane, hoping from lake to lake in the wilderness of the land of the mapple leaf and the moose. Ever since we were dreaming ... and now with a four year delay

IT'S UNDERWAY!!

First week - FAA-licence:
First things first! The trip begins for Mark and Marc north of Boston in Turner, Maine, where at Twitchells airport and seaplane base (www.twitchells3b5.com/) the US-seaplane rating is to be acquired. After six hours of flight instruction the rating is completed with a check-ride. At the end of the first week the "Ms" switch over to Chicago and meet up with Stephan, who already has earned his seaplane rating in Florida earlier this year.

Second and third week - Mapple leafs:
At Surfside Seplanebase (Chain of Lakes), further training on the Cessna 172 and 180 will be acquired in order to obtain qulification for solo rental. Typically 10 hours on model of making are required, before a rental contract can be concluded. During this training a couple of trips up north towards the Canadian border will be included to gain first experience of real seaplane flying. Once the necessary training is attained, one or two multiday solo trips with overnight lodging or camping are planned within Minneapolis and crossborders to Canadaian waters. Hopefully as well some fishing will be possible.

Fourth week - Flying the Beaver:
The last week is sun, fun and flying the Beaver in the Sunshine State. Flying in to Orlando, we'll have the chance to visit a theme park, and then change over to the beaches around Daytona, where a flight on a deHavilland Beaver Seaplane is an absolute must for every addicted seaplane pilot! As well an evening flyout to Key West is planned. Finally we'll fade away on Miami's South Beach.. while Switzerland is already expecting Mark and Marc back, Stephan will stay in Vero Beach for another 5 weeks - enjoy!