Hi folks. Float plane flying is something I've wanted to do for years, but till recently have never been anywhere where I could have a go. This year I took the plunge. The model is a Practical Scale Cub at 1/3.8 Powered by a Zenoah 38. My first fly in turned out to be very windy, blowing models over very easily. So I waited and waited til it calmed down a bit. It didn't though so I had a go anyway!! There were a couple of good mates there who are experienced at waterplaning so I heeded their advice and did as I was told!! No issues apart from taxiing in the wind. A couple of times I bottled out of turning crosswind and just sat there into wind til a retrieval boat fetched it back. Its very rewarding taxiing out, scale like take off, flying round with touch and go's then a scale like landing and taxi back. I can't wait to go again, but there arn't many float fly ins here, which is why I decided on the Cub since its scale on wheels too.

That last pic had my heart racing a bit, a swirly gust got under the wing as it found itself suddenly crosswind for a second on take off! We also fitted a mini video camera, visible in one of the next pics, inside the cockpit at pilots eye view to record the proceedings. It was a waterproof one just in case!! The video looks good, but its a massive file and needs editing down a bit since the flying bits are unpleasant since it was so windy. I'll post it up when its sorted.

Cheers, Ian.

Nice picts... congrats on your first float flying adventure. I'm pretty new to this to and I find it a very nice change every once in a while and much more laid back.


Cheers,
Steve

Welcome to the world of float flying, stay dry.

Thanks folks, I really loved it and will go again, trouble is theres only a couple a year within a reasonable distance, but I'll do those for sure. Started drawing up plans for the next wet aeroplane, a 1/4 scale Supermarine Walrus, at least that I can fly either on land or water without any modifications!!

Ian.