Today's Message Index:
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1. 07:03 AM - Re: Re: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats (Paul Seehafer)
2. 07:18 AM - Re: Re: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats (Paul Seehafer)
Message 1
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| Subject: | Re: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats |
--> Seaplane-List message posted by: "Paul Seehafer" <av8rps@tznet.com>
I promise I will work on that. You guys all need to see his 6 foot takeoff
on water (seriously, that is the number). Makes that 18 foot Supercub
takeoff on land look lonnnnnnngggggg......LOL
Paul
----- Original Message -----
From: "shorty" <shortnaked@golden.net>
Sent: Friday, September 15, 2006 9:22 AM
Subject: Re: Seaplane-List: Re: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats
> --> Seaplane-List message posted by: "shorty" <shortnaked@golden.net>
>
> where is snaps video to show how to get off the water in 2 seconds?
>
> LOL
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Paul Seehafer" <av8rps@tznet.com>
> To: <seaplane-list@matronics.com>
> Sent: Friday, September 15, 2006 8:52 AM
> Subject: Re: Seaplane-List: Re: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats
>
>
>> --> Seaplane-List message posted by: "Paul Seehafer" <av8rps@tznet.com>
>>
>> Shorty;
>>
>> Yeah, my money would be on the fox for short takeoff. But it would be
>> much more fair to compare straight floats to straight floats. Not an
>> amphib fox against a straight float Supercub. I'm convinced the S/cub
>> wouldn't stand a chance then. And if it were a lightweight two stroke in
>> the Fox, it would be even more disheartening for the S/cub pilot.
>>
>> Yeah, you are 100 lbs lighter than my lead sled 4 stroke
>> everything-on-it-but-the-kitchen-sink Kitfox. So I don't plan on
>> challenging you to any takeoff contests anytime in the future? <GRIN>
>>
>> Paul
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "shorty" <shortnaked@golden.net>
>> To: <seaplane-list@matronics.com>
>> Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 8:53 PM
>> Subject: Re: Seaplane-List: Re: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats
>>
>>
>>> --> Seaplane-List message posted by: "shorty" <shortnaked@golden.net>
>>>
>>> I will vote for the Kitfox off the water quicker than a Super cub with
>>> 160 hp
>>>
>>> Paul's Kitfox off the water in 8 seconds ?
>>>
>>> Mine is 100 lbs lighter ..............
>>>
>>>
>>> Muahahahhwwaaaaa
>>>
>>> you did see the under 4 second take off s on ski right Noel ?
>>>
>>> :)
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Noel Loveys" <noelloveys@yahoo.ca>
>>> To: <seaplane-list@matronics.com>
>>> Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 8:08 PM
>>> Subject: RE: Seaplane-List: Re: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on
>>> floats
>>>
>>>
>>>> --> Seaplane-List message posted by: "Noel Loveys"
>>>> <noelloveys@yahoo.ca>
>>>>
>>>> Paul this cub was on straight 200 floats...around half tanks and beside
>>>> myself and the instructor for the float endorsement there wasn't much
>>>> else
>>>> on board. I saw a few of the places that plane had been into and to
>>>> say it
>>>> must have been tight would be an understatement.
>>>>
>>>> The Super cub was a great diversion. Just having the horsepower under
>>>> your
>>>> thumb! It took a bit of getting used to flying with the wrong hand (
>>>> I'm a
>>>> south paw) I don't think I'm going to try to get into one of the "bog
>>>> holes" in my fox any time soon.
>>>>
>>>> Noel
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: owner-seaplane-list-server@matronics.com
>>>>> [mailto:owner-seaplane-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf
>>>>> Of Paul Seehafer
>>>>> Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 1:30 PM
>>>>> To: seaplane-list@matronics.com
>>>>> Subject: Re: Seaplane-List: Re: EAA Sport Pilot article on
>>>>> LSAs on floats
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Noel,
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm surprised you'd find the Supercub that much better
>>>>> performer off water
>>>>> compared to a Kitfox. Not that a Supercub with 160 hp is any
>>>>> slouch, as it
>>>>> is a marvelous seaplane. But my little 80 hp amphib kitfox
>>>>> will break water
>>>>> in 8 seconds with 2 hours of fuel on board and me, whereas a
>>>>> 180 hp amphib
>>>>> Supercub can't come close to that (amphib vs. amphib
>>>>> comparison) I know
>>>>> this factually as one of my friends has one of the nicest
>>>>> amphib Supercubs
>>>>> on the planet. A Husky would be a better comparison to the Fox in my
>>>>> opinion, but takeoff I'm confident the Kitfox would still win if the
>>>>> aircraft are flown light. Now, if you load both airplanes up
>>>>> with weight,
>>>>> horsepower and large wings will win, thereby giving the Husky
>>>>> the advantage.
>>>>> But give me a 100 hp 912, or a 115 hp 914 in my Fox, and I'm
>>>>> confident I
>>>>> would turn the tables.
>>>>>
>>>>> I have some videos I need to get posted for you guys on the
>>>>> kitfox/lazair
>>>>> site. I have a Avid on floats doing a takeoff contest
>>>>> against a Challenger,
>>>>> and a Kitfox against an extremely light 90 hp Cub. Both are pretty
>>>>> convincing of the Light Sport Aircrafts potential as
>>>>> performers. Fwiw -
>>>>> still the record holder for off the water takeoff is an Avid Flyer on
>>>>> straight floats.....2.7 seconds from standing still to lift
>>>>> off. You won't
>>>>> find many airplanes that can do that on pavement. I guess
>>>>> you can all tell
>>>>> I am biased towards the Avid/Kitfox/ and Highlander, as they are all
>>>>> derivatives of the original Dean Wilson Avid Flyer. And man do they
>>>>> perform. After 1300 hours of float time in Avids and Foxes,
>>>>> I can tell you
>>>>> that you can't find a better performing, more versatile, capable, and
>>>>> economical seaplane. And the best part is thats they are
>>>>> just a hoooooot to
>>>>> fly! When was the last time you watched someone do a
>>>>> circular takeoff with
>>>>> a float plane...on one float? With the Avid and Kitfox they
>>>>> are so nimble
>>>>> on controls that doing so is not difficult, assuming you are
>>>>> familiar with
>>>>> your airplane. And talk about versatile; my little Model IV
>>>>> Kitfox on
>>>>> Amphibs with a 80 hp 912 rotax can fly alongside of any
>>>>> Supercub. In fact,
>>>>> I have to slow down so they can keep up when at cruise. My
>>>>> Kitfox is much
>>>>> more compatible in cruise flight to an Aviat Husky seaplane,
>>>>> even though
>>>>> they have 180 hp and a constant speed prop (and cost about 6
>>>>> times the money
>>>>> of the fox).
>>>>>
>>>>> Ok, ok, probably a little hard to believe. So if my picture
>>>>> goes through,
>>>>> here is a panel shot from in my 80 hp Kitfox amphib that says
>>>>> it all. Just
>>>>> check out my gps mph reading in the middle of the panel, my indicated
>>>>> airspeed, my altitude, and my rpm on the right side of the
>>>>> panel. You will
>>>>> notice this little seaplane is VERY capable for cross country
>>>>> work, as well
>>>>> as for small lakes and airports. (incidentally, 5800 rpm is
>>>>> max power on a
>>>>> 912. Also, I more typically fly around at 4900-5000 rpm
>>>>> giving me right
>>>>> around 100 mph tas while burning all of 3.5 gph of regular
>>>>> unleaded auto
>>>>> fuel)
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm not trying to knock anyone elses seaplane here. As
>>>>> personally, I've
>>>>> never met an airplane I didn't like. But my preference is an
>>>>> Avid and
>>>>> Kitfox. Not because I'm biased and close minded toward other
>>>>> aircraft, but
>>>>> because I know how well the Avid and Kitfox work, both as
>>>>> land planes and
>>>>> seaplanes. So for those of you looking for an economical
>>>>> alternative, the
>>>>> Avid and Kitfox choice is a very good one in my opinion. And
>>>>> there are a
>>>>> lot of good used airplanes around, as well as kits from the
>>>>> manufacturers
>>>>> Kitfox, Just Aircraft co. (Highlander), and Airdale (for the Avid).
>>>>>
>>>>> Paul
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "Noel Loveys" <noelloveys@yahoo.ca>
>>>>> To: <seaplane-list@matronics.com>
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2006 5:43 PM
>>>>> Subject: RE: Seaplane-List: Re: EAA Sport Pilot article on
>>>>> LSAs on floats
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> > --> Seaplane-List message posted by: "Noel Loveys"
>>>>> <noelloveys@yahoo.ca>
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Shorty:
>>>>> >
>>>>> > I did some time in a PA 18 Super Cub last
>>>>> week.......finally got most of
>>>>> > the
>>>>> > time for the endorsement. Wow what a ride... 160 Hp gets
>>>>> the lead off the
>>>>> > water real fast. Having the instructor in the rear seat
>>>>> was perfect.
>>>>> > Most
>>>>> > of the time I was hardly aware he was there. There wasn't the same
>>>>> > pressure
>>>>> > as having an instructor sitting beside you. The plane
>>>>> itself behaved like
>>>>> > a
>>>>> > 'fox on a mega dose of steroids. Landing speed was a bit
>>>>> higher but it
>>>>> > seemed to drop off step very fast..... As for getting up on
>>>>> step 160 Hp
>>>>> > says
>>>>> > it all! One notch of flaps was like throwing the hook
>>>>> (anchor) overboard.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Noel
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> >> From: owner-seaplane-list-server@matronics.com
>>>>> >> [mailto:owner-seaplane-list-server@matronics.com] On
>>>>> Behalf Of shorty
>>>>> >> Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2006 5:15 PM
>>>>> >> To: seaplane-list@matronics.com
>>>>> >> Subject: Re: Seaplane-List: Re: EAA Sport Pilot article on
>>>>> >> LSAs on floats
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> --> Seaplane-List message posted by: "shorty"
>>>>> <shortnaked@golden.net>
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> Good site here on Challengers. http://challenger.ca/
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> I am not a Challenger owner , but I will say that they have a
>>>>> >> great group of
>>>>> >> owners that help each other out.
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> That Site has a few videos that compare the 503 and 582
>>>>> Challenger on
>>>>> >> Floats. really shows you why a 582 is so popular although the
>>>>> >> 503 isa great
>>>>> >> engine.
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> Kitfox or Avid on floats is hard to Beat. Cruise in a side
>>>>> >> by side cabin
>>>>> >> on Amphibs from 80 to 110 mph with ease depending on the
>>>>> >> engine a 582 or
>>>>> >> 912 is my comparison.
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> Shorty
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> >> From: "Chris In Madison" <cowens@cnw.com>
>>>>> >> To: <seaplane-list@matronics.com>
>>>>> >> Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2006 3:30 PM
>>>>> >> Subject: Seaplane-List: Re: EAA Sport Pilot article on
>>>>> LSAs on floats
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> > --> Seaplane-List message posted by: "Chris In Madison"
>>>>> >> <cowens@cnw.com>
>>>>> >> >
>>>>> >> > Hi John,
>>>>> >> >
>>>>> >> > You're the second person who's mentioned the Challenger
>>>>> >> aircraft to me.
>>>>> >> > Our kids' sitter's husband's father (yeah, I know...) is a
>>>>> >> Challenger
>>>>> >> > dealer out here in Waunakee (or is it Madison). He tells
>>>>> >> me it's loads of
>>>>> >> > fun to fly them as well. If two people say so, it must
>>>>> be true :-)
>>>>> >> >
>>>>> >> > I briefly looked at a couple of web sites that sell the
>>>>> >> Challenger, but
>>>>> >> > they were so horrible that I couldn't get a decent look at
>>>>> >> one. Perhaps
>>>>> >> > I'll try to get a closer look at one from the
>>>>> father-in-law, who's
>>>>> >> > apparently been selling them for a long time out here.
>>>>> >> >
>>>>> >> > I might have to drop by the next time I'm up in your neck
>>>>> >> of the woods, so
>>>>> >> > to speak. Thanks for the info :-)
>>>>> >> >
>>>>> >> > Best regards,
>>>>> >> > Chris
>>>>> >> >
>>>>> >> > --------
>>>>> >> > Chris Owens
>>>>> >> > Waunakee, WI
>>>>> >> >
>>>>> >> >
>>>>> >> >
>>>>> >> >
>>>>> >> > Read this topic online here:
>>>>> >> >
>>>>> >> > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=59678#59678
>>>>> >> >
>>>>> >> >
>>>>> >> >
>>>>> >> >
>>>>> >> >
>>>>> >> >
>>>>> >> >
>>>>> >> >
>>>>> >> >
>>>>> >> >
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
Message 2
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| Subject: | Re: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats |
--> Seaplane-List message posted by: "Paul Seehafer" <av8rps@tznet.com>
Noel,
Everything is relative I guess, as to me a Supercub on floats feels like a
silverwing when compared to a Lake Amphibian (which feels more like a Gold
wing 1500). I guess thats what makes for good horse racing....or what we
all have for preferences in airplanes. Personally, I'd like to have one of
each!
The comment on the Glastar insurance from another poster; That is a good
insurance deal. Insuring for more than two seats had a very large impact on
my liability insurance for my Lake. So I only insure for two seats and
typically have the rear seat removed altogether so I can use it for more
gear. That only makes sense to me as seaplanes traditionally get in the
most trouble when flown at, near, or over gross weights. And if you have to
payout for personal damages for 3 passengers it is going to be a lot more
than 1 passenger. At least that is what my company told me. But if this
other company is willing to do it for that, go for it (and don't tell them
what I said as that sounds like a very good deal.) Btw - I may be an
exception here as I have never hull insured any of my planes. A quote on my
50 k lake 13 years ago was almost 6 grand a year, and that was with a 10%
deduct (5k) and it wouldn't cover the airplane if it sank while moored or
tied to a dock (which is the most likely loss - my lake sank twice in it's
life history prior to my owning it. Both times in canada while being moored
off a rocky shoreline). So 13 years times $6,000 = $78,000 Of course I
did carry liability on it which is around $700 a year for one passenger. So
if I lose my airplane now, I am actually money ahead the way I see it. And
if I did, frankly I could care less about the airplane, it's me and my
passenger I am ultimately worried about. But that's just my approach to the
whole insurance thing. In fact, I think if everyone flew with less
insurance we might all be a little more careful. But that's just my take on
things. My system works for me, but I'm sure it will work the same for
everyone. (ps - for those of you thinking it must be nice to pay cash for
an airplane, I didn't. I used a home equity line of credit to do it back
then. So no bankers forced me to insure the airplane for the loan. And I
was ready to be making big payments for a long time on a wrecked airplane if
it ever came to that. So one has to be committed to paying if you are a
risk taker.)
Paul
----- Original Message -----
From: "Noel Loveys" <noelloveys@yahoo.ca>
Sent: Friday, September 15, 2006 9:34 AM
Subject: RE: Seaplane-List: Re: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats
> --> Seaplane-List message posted by: "Noel Loveys" <noelloveys@yahoo.ca>
>
> A day or so after flying the Cub I did get the Beothuck Explorer's (A.K.A.
> Kitfox III-A) floats wet. I agree that it's a lot more fun... make the
> FUN
> than the Cub. I liken it to the difference between The Honda Silver Wing
> GL-500 Interstate motorcycle I used to ride and the Honda Gold Wing. I
> really liked the little wing. The engine was buttetproof and the bike was
> big enough to haul my considerable rump from Newfoundland to places like
> Montreal and Washington DC. The first time I was on a Gold Wing 1200 It
> was
> an enjoyable change from the Caf racers and Silver Wing I had been riding
> but there is no way I could ever want to own one.
>
> I guess I'm a bit of a minimalist. I have one of the first 224 Miatas to
> hit this continent. When it arrived here they didn't even know it was
> going
> to be called a Miata. It is a bit underpowered, has no air conditioning
> (wow) and no power steering (power steering on a sports car?) I've driven
> a
> few later models and with their bigger engines, Air, Power Steering, Power
> Windows and other additional gizmos not one of them comes close to
> providing
> the fun my little 17y.o. beastie can. I'd trade it in a flash.....for
> something like a Healey 3000 or an early four wheel Morgie or even a good
> MG-A. I think that makes me a member in a rather large club and I don't
> expect to see a long line of Healeys outside my door any time soon.
>
> Noel
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: owner-seaplane-list-server@matronics.com
>> [mailto:owner-seaplane-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf
>> Of Paul Seehafer
>> Sent: Friday, September 15, 2006 10:44 AM
>> To: seaplane-list@matronics.com
>> Subject: Re: Seaplane-List: Re: EAA Sport Pilot article on
>> LSAs on floats
>>
>>
>> --> Seaplane-List message posted by: "Paul Seehafer"
>> <av8rps@tznet.com>
>>
>> Noel,
>>
>> That's a very interesting story supporting tube and fabric.
>> And anyone that
>> has seen how some of the bush planes north of us get used, it
>> is certainly
>> believable. I guess I won't be hiring any ferry pilots anytime soon
>> (snicker).
>>
>> Neat to hear you experienced a Lake with your Dad. They are
>> fun airplanes.
>> But I do agree with you that you have to be careful with
>> those nose gear
>> doors. Traditionally they get all messed up when driving up
>> onto a beach
>> and then when driving back into the water later, the pilot
>> tries to retract
>> the gear when the nosewheel isn't straight. So whenever I do
>> that, once I
>> enter the water and the plane is floating, I shut down and
>> crawl out onto
>> the nose and reach down to verify the nosewheel has centered.
>> If it isn't I
>> find shallow water and then just swivel it back into a
>> neutral position,
>> then crawl back in the cockpit and retract it. Never had a
>> problem by doing
>> so. But it is easy to see when you drive into the water with
>> the gear down
>> how the nosewheel can not swivel itself back straight, as it
>> is rare to have
>> enough beach to go straight back into the water. Interesting
>> aside; one of
>> my lake instructors told me it is extremely important to
>> maintain a correct
>> hull angle to keep the nosewheel doors from catching a wave.
>> So he spent a
>> lot of time showing me correct hull angle. After I didn't do
>> it right
>> numerous times he got a little frustrated and said 'Ok, put
>> it this way.
>> Just pretend your family jewels are out there between those
>> two nose wheel
>> doors. Now, do you really want to be dragging them in the
>> water at 50 miles
>> an hour?" Worked for me. Never since have I let those nose
>> wheel doors
>> drag too nose low...
>>
>> Regarding your previous comment about landing a Supercub in a short
>> place/bog; Once I landed my Avid Flyer on straight floats in
>> a 14 acre lake
>> (pond) that was in the shape of a circle, with a large
>> circular island in
>> the middle of it (offering very little landing area width,
>> and none in a
>> straight line), and power lines running across one end (of
>> course the end
>> you had to take off over). I know a Supercub wouldn't fare
>> well in that
>> small body of water, because there is no way he could ever
>> get back out.
>> The Avid had no trouble. Climbed out right over the
>> highlines with room to
>> spare. Once again, the Supercub is a phenomenal airplane.
>> But when you do
>> the horsepower to weight, and wing loading comparisons of the
>> early Avids
>> and Kitfoxes against it, the Avid and Kitfox will have the distinct
>> advantage for takeoff, climb, and landing. Remember, early
>> Avids had a 22
>> mph stall speed. But out of fairness to those reading this,
>> I will admit
>> that my newer laminar flow wing, four stroke Kitfox would
>> probably require
>> the same landing area as a Supercub, possible more, as my
>> current Kitfox is
>> a little hard to slow down. But it will cruise faster than the cub.
>>
>> Paul
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Noel Loveys" <noelloveys@yahoo.ca>
>> To: <seaplane-list@matronics.com>
>> Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 7:54 PM
>> Subject: RE: Seaplane-List: Re: EAA Sport Pilot article on
>> LSAs on floats
>>
>>
>> > --> Seaplane-List message posted by: "Noel Loveys"
>> <noelloveys@yahoo.ca>
>> >
>> > BTW I'm with you on the tube planes. A couple of years ago
>> I had to do
>> > some
>> > work on a Super Cub that flew in from BC (British Columbia)
>> with the tail
>> > bent to a ridiculous angle. We had to resection longerons
>> and replace a
>> > fair bit of the welds in the tail of the plane. My point
>> is if it had
>> > been
>> > a Cessna it would never have made the first ten feet of the trans
>> > continental flight. Monocoque construction doesn't like
>> dents let alone
>> > bends.
>> >
>> > The ferry pilot said he didn't notice the defect in the tail at all.
>> > Another reason to be very careful when having your plane
>> ferried. I have
>> > it
>> > on good authority when the plane left BC it was in perfect
>> condition.
>> >
>> > Re: your Lake. For quite a few years I beat all over this
>> island in my
>> > fathers Lake LA-4. Quite the lovely plane but..... Darn
>> there always has
>> > to be a but... But.... With that plane you have to be
>> very careful that
>> > the front gear doors are closing completely before going
>> for a swim. To
>> > do
>> > this hold the main gear locked with Vise grips and tie the
>> tail down while
>> > doing a retract. The gear must be able to fully retract
>> and still close
>> > the
>> > doors fully.
>> >
>> > I remember on time hitting a wake and having water short
>> out our com radio
>> > for several days.
>> >
>> > Noel
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >> -----Original Message-----
>> >> From: owner-seaplane-list-server@matronics.com
>> >> [mailto:owner-seaplane-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf
>> >> Of Paul Seehafer
>> >> Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 1:49 PM
>> >> To: seaplane-list@matronics.com
>> >> Subject: Re: Seaplane-List: Re: EAA Sport Pilot article on
>> >> LSAs on floats
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Hi Chris,
>> >>
>> >> Glad you enjoyed the article. I'll be doing more in the future.
>> >>
>> >> I'm also glad you enjoyed EAA's seaplane base. It is in my
>> >> opinion EAA's
>> >> crown jewel. Not big, but very high quality and extra
>> >> special. It has
>> >> introduced most of us to the wonderful world of seaplanes.
>> >> Keep dreaming
>> >> and one day you will find yourself owning one.
>> >>
>> >> Metal airplanes vs tube and fabric....hmmmmm. Well, here's
>> >> my two cents on
>> >> that. If you look at race cars hitting walls at 150 mph,
>> >> notice what they
>> >> are in. Chromoly steel tube frames. Thats because they are
>> >> light and can
>> >> handle loads better pound for pound. So a tube and fabric
>> >> airplane is much
>> >> the same. Look at some of our most famous airplanes (cub,
>> >> taylorcraft,
>> >> stinson, waco, stearman, etc, etc) that have been around the
>> >> longest. They
>> >> have held up very well over the decades. Not that modern day
>> >> Cessnas and
>> >> Pipers haven't, but aluminum is more subject to metal fatigue
>> >> than would be
>> >> the steel tube frame. I fly a lake amphibian as well as my
>> >> Kitfox. The
>> >> lake is built like a tank compared to a Cessna. Yet it has
>> >> had a lot of
>> >> fatigue cracks that had to be patched due to water
>> operations causing
>> >> excessive metal fatigue. And the airplane only has a little
>> >> more than 2000
>> >> hours on it. Imagine what it will look like when it hits
>> >> 20,000 hours like
>> >> a lot of old J-3's have probably endured? Don't get me
>> >> wrong, I love my old
>> >> aluminum lake amphib. But if I had to crash in one or the
>> >> other, I'd prefer
>> >> to be in my tube and fabric airplane. Aluminum just doesn't
>> >> have it when it
>> >> comes to hitting the wall...
>> >>
>> >> Keep your dream alive to one day own a seaplane. It's
>> really not as
>> >> expensive as you may think.
>> >>
>> >> Paul
>> >>
>> >> ps - here's a pic of a few airplanes doing a stop on one of
>> >> the lakes we
>> >> used for our poker run at the Eagle River Wisconsin Seaplane
>> >> Fly In this
>> >> last weekend. The photo represents about 1/2 of the
>> >> airplanes in the poker
>> >> run. The Highlander amphib is in the foreground with my
>> >> Kitfox amphib next
>> >> to it. This ought to get your heart pumping!
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> ----- Original Message -----
>> >> From: "Chris In Madison" <cowens@cnw.com>
>> >> To: <seaplane-list@matronics.com>
>> >> Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2006 8:40 AM
>> >> Subject: Seaplane-List: Re: EAA Sport Pilot article on
>> LSAs on floats
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> > --> Seaplane-List message posted by: "Chris In Madison"
>> >> <cowens@cnw.com>
>> >> >
>> >> > Hi Paul,
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks for the great article. I had never given
>> >> floatplanes any thought
>> >> > until recently. I don't remember what made me think more
>> >> seriously about
>> >> > them, but it may have been the video for the Murphy Moose
>> >> that I received
>> >> > with a product information kit earlier this year. I went
>> >> to Oshkosh for
>> >> > the first time this year and saw a Beaver on amphibious
>> >> floats, then took
>> >> > a trip over to the seaplane base. After that, I was
>> >> completely hooked. I
>> >> > now realize that I want to be on floats when I grow up.
>> >> Now I just need
>> >> > to see if I'll ever be able to afford to fly in that capacity!
>> >> >
>> >> > I've never really taken a serious look at a fabric-covered
>> >> aircraft. I
>> >> > always assumed that an all-metal plane was a better option.
>> >> Perhaps I
>> >> > need to take another look at them, especially for all the
>> >> reasons you
>> >> > described in your article.
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks again for the great read :-)
>> >> >
>> >> > Best regards,
>> >> > Chris
>> >> >
>> >> > --------
>> >> > Chris Owens
>> >> > Waunakee, WI
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > Read this topic online here:
>> >> >
>> >> > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=59591#59591
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
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