Dont Try This at Home:

Wet Feet

Im thinking about trading in my truck for one of these:

RNoAF

 

Best precision operation of machinery I've seen since the square dancing McCormick Farmalls.

Now THESE are my speed.

http://www.nemahaweb.com/farmallpromenade/photos.htm

 

I think we may know what happened to those five missing Avengers...they landed on a wet runway

 

I've done that with my Rans S12 UL. Trick is keep your speed way up, and hope there are no big waves..... or jumping fish.

I do want to meet the guy that first tried it, that guys has kahonas.

 

How do you like your Rans? I used to have an Advanced Aviation Cobra but sold it once I got to fly the "bigger" cessna's and such, but now Im looking for an ultralight again...they are just so much more fun to fly because you dont really have a cockpit in the way of the view!

 

This might be a stupid question, but I've never been in an airplane before. How dangerous is it to do that?

 

I'd say if they were 1/2 inch lower, then they'd be doing cartwheels in the water,
which IMHO, is a very bad thing to be doing in an airplane.


phox

 

Thats a lot of talent. Like Phox said, one bump in turbulance and they're sunk.

Rich.

 

It tends to mess up the fishing for a while too.

 

Awesome video. As I watched, I just knew one was going to nose in. Those folks are real pros and no, I would not try it at home

 

I'm not trying to take anything away from those guys, and I'm not saying it is not a dangerous manuver, but IMHO flying in formation is more dangerous than touching the water. They are going well over 100 mph the wheels are going to bounce off the water like a pair of water skis. Can they push too hard and put the wheels in the water and flip? Sure, but the feel of the plane touching the water gives you a reference for where it is and you can just bounce along. Keeping your speed up is the big thing.

This is a dangerous manuver and NO ONE should think they can jump in a plane and do it. It takes years of practice, and many changes of underwear.

Having said that...... flying close to the ground or water is a real rush.

 

I sold it a few years ago, now I'm looking for another one. I really miss the low & slow flying. Airplanes are like golf clubs you need several to play.

Someone asked is flying dangerous. Well, you'll get alot of answers on that question. I say no more dangerous than riding a motorcycle. Having said that, you & I know you can get in a world of trouble on a motorcycle in 2 seconds if you are careless, if you are "resonable" you can be flying for 50 years and never have a problem. If you think you are invincible, smarter than your instructor, and think it will never happen to you, you can be dead in 45 seconds.

There was an fatal crash near Omaha a few months ago. The guy was a new (100 hour) pilot, had been drinking (it is illegal to fly until 8 hours has passed from your last drink) weather conditions were a dismal 1/2 mile visability, 100 foot ceilings. (Minimum are 3 mile visability, 1,000' ceiling). This bozo takes off, at night, carring two passengers and lasts a total of 3 mins before he looses control (spatial disorination, you don't know which way is up) and becomes a smoking hole in the ground. This guy had 4 strikes against him before he even started the engine.

Enough of the scare tactics, if you are stupid you'll die.

For me personally, having worked all my life since the age of 12, I can take all of the toys I have ever owned, fast boats, race cars & trucks, CTD's, whatever. Put them on a scale, and it don't even come close to the satisfaction and fun I have flying. It is a very personal accomplishment for me, something I also wanted to do. After 9/11 I decided to start living a little and learning how to fly was a goal I set for myself. In stead of a "someday" thing I made it a "do it now today" thing. I'm glad I did.

While I'm on a rant here and for anyone who is still reading my "blog" each of us has something we have always wanted to do. Don't wait until it's too late. Life is meant to be lived to the fullest, everyday. We owe it to the men and women who died for this country since 1776 and never had a chance to fullfill their dreams. Do them a favor.... live your dream.

 

If they put their wheels in the water, and the current was moving at the same speed the plane was, but in the opposite direction of their travel, would they just come to a stop?

~Rob

 

hrmm...

 

Ya know, that is a very good question. According to all who think the plane would not fly (airplane -v- conveyor) if the current was going the same speed as the plane it would fall out of the sky!