A Movie Clip for My Buddy, Mason

The SeaRey at its absolute most fun! Conditions at the lake were ideal; but dropping onto the river below the dam was Heaven itself. Heavy rains this month made for lots of particulate matter on the surface: setting up for glassy water and then applying an inch of back-pressure at the exact moment all those bits of leaves, bugs, debris snapped into focus made for a landing that could hardly be sensed. Flying the B-Hull 'Rey, I'd been told to expect a dangerous tendancy to nose over when alighting onto glassy water. Over and over, I've tested this and found that a standard touchdown speed of 47 mph solo (52 dual) makes for an attitude that (at least at my CG) maintains a neutral stick at touchdown, eg zero additional backpressure. In fact, it's possible to step-taxi in my plane on glassy water hands-free, keeping a wings-level attitude with rudder.

Attitude recognition and control appears to be the key. From flying with factory personnel, talking to the old heads, and personal experienced garnered from 2,000 water landings, it seems B-Hull owners have a two-degree pitch attitude window for safe operations on the water, between 22 and 40 mph. Outside of that box, all bets are off.

*** CAUTION *** Glassy water operations demands special training and constant practice. This video was shot in ideal weather and lighting, on a stretch of river intimately known to the pilot. Flight below surrounding terrain without knowledge of obstacles, eddy effects and glare-induced disorientation potential is extremely hazardous and should not be attempted.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• SeaRey
• glassy
• water
• glass
• smooth
• river
• surface
• placid
• calm
• amphib
• amphibian
• amphibious
• seaplane
• floatplane
• boat