May 2009 down the Brazos

The mighty Brazos River that encircles Pecan Plantation is a trickle, on the heels of a dry year. Nearly all of it is unsuitable for landing our Progressive Aerodyne SeaRey, a docile little seaplane that sips three gallons an hour in exchange for endless flying fun.

I carefully avoid two noise-sensitive areas along the river, give fishermen wide berth. We are in landing configuration the entire time, and actually skim the water twice.

In the riverbed, my wind limit is 5 knots: otherwise, eddies rolling over the embankments cause instability.

[Attention pilots: This operation complies with Part 91 partly on the basis of aircraft design and configuration. Attempting these maneuvers in a landplane is in violation of Part 91. Special training is required, along with intimate familiarity with the environment. Eddies, wires, and optical illusions are just three of the hazards waiting to trap untrained pilots who attempt operations in the vicinity of water without adequate preperation and training.]

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• granbury
• pecan
• plantation
• progressive
• aerodyne
• searey
• brazos
• river
• amphib
• amphibian
• seaplane
• waterbird
• rotax
• texas