If you're receiving this via email, click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP13AxrxyPA for easiest viewing of my latest seaplane video. I've always been intrigued by the Lake series of amphibious aircraft and after many years of contemplating a purchase, I bought one several months ago. Last week, I was planning to experiment with mounting video cameras outside the airplane, but was disappointed to discover that the weather was 1/4 mile visibility and 100 foot vertical visibility at the Byron airport, adjacent to where I'd be landing on the water.
I fully expected not to see any water, but when I arrived the clouds had blown to the east and risen a few hundred feet. As a result, I was able to easily get under the clouds and shoot some excellent video while remaining outside of the clouds. Since I was below 1200 feet and in Class G, the legal requirement was that I remain clear of clouds. Had I been in Class E, it would have been impossible to shoot this video, since I would have to have been either 1000 feet above the clouds or 500 feet below them.
Since the winds were calm, the water was like a mirror, reflecting the clouds off the surface. Glassy water landings are among the most difficult water landings to make, since it's often impossible for a pilot to judge his or her height above the water. Seaplanes pilots use a glass water landing technique where they descend at 100 to 150 feet per minute until they contact the water. In this case, with a narrow canal, there were many visual references around me, making my glassy water landing much easier than if it were performed on a larger body of water, far from shore.
I hope you enjoy the video. If you do, please click the "Like" button on the YouTube player. And I also hope you consider getting a seaplane rating!
Max,
Just a heads-up. I am on a layover in Thailand and when trying to watch your video I receive the following message:
This video contains content from Sony Music Entertainment, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds.
I assume you added a music track to the video and that is what is causing it to be blocked. You might want to check to see whether the restriction is in place everywhere outside the U.S. or whether Sony just has a problem with Thailand.
Yes, I added a Pointer Sisters sound track. In the U.S., when the clip plays, the player says that the song can be downloaded for purchase, which is probably why I’m able to see it here. Don’t know how to find out what other countries it’s blocked in…
Very nice! Congratulations on the purchase.
Max,
Great video! You captured the essence of what excites a pilot in the direction of water flying. A beautiful illustration of the utility of the Lake Amphibian, enjoying the convenience of a runway to launch a water a water-borne adventure
Nice video. It worked fine in Japan. Sony must have a problem with Thailand…