Lake Winnepausaukee

The FARS are irrelevant when a float plane is on the surface...the marine
rules of the road apply. They virtually mirror the FAR ROW rules, however.

According to the maritime rules of the road, a 10,000 ton tanker doing 16
knots is supposed to cede the right-of-way to a sailboat crossing from its
right...but common sense tells the sailboat operator that the tanker can't
possibly maneuver or stop quickly enough. Same thing is true of floatplanes
on the water...if they are accelerating for takeoff, they have the REAL
right-of-way, no matter where the crossing traffic is. Landing is much the
same thing...the pilot of the plane doesn't have many options once he is on
short final. It's only when a floatplane is taxiing on the water that the
maritime rules make sense.

We have a ton of seaplane operations on relatively small Lake Union in
Seattle (and on larger Lake Washington) and everyone seems to make the
necessary accomodations.

Bob Gardner
USCG (Ret)

"Skylune" wrote in message
lkaboutaviation.com...
Do you think the pilot would be upset if I took my formula 27 pc, which
weighs in at about 10,500 pounds and has twin 350s and created some nice
wake action for him to make the touchdowns more exciting?

I think I have right of way on the lake, but the FARs provide me no
guidance.

It hasn't become a major issue yet (despite the seaplane that flipped over
on the lake a few weeks back -- i think the NTSB blamed it on a wake), but
I have witnessed some seaplanes coming uncomfortably close to powerboaters
and even kayakers. How on earth can a pilot see if there is a kayaker
where he/she intends to land??

Its hard enough to see these kayakers when you on the water (although my
trusty Furuno usually picks them up), so i don't see how a landing plane
can possibly see them.

If you have a few minutes, Google seaplanes + right of way. Lots of good
stuff,

Bob Gardner

"Skylune" wrote in message
lkaboutaviation.com...
It hasn't become a major issue yet (despite the seaplane that flipped over
on the lake a few weeks back -- i think the NTSB blamed it on a wake), but
I have witnessed some seaplanes coming uncomfortably close to powerboaters
and even kayakers. How on earth can a pilot see if there is a kayaker
where he/she intends to land??

Its hard enough to see these kayakers when you on the water (although my
trusty Furuno usually picks them up), so i don't see how a landing plane
can possibly see them.

Skylune wrote:

Its hard enough to see these kayakers when you on the water (although my
trusty Furuno usually picks them up), so i don't see how a landing plane
can possibly see them.

I suggest you go up in a light plane and check the situation out. You'd be
surprised how excellent the visibility is from the pointy end.

George Patterson
Why do men's hearts beat faster, knees get weak, throats become dry,
and they think irrationally when a woman wears leather clothing?
Because she smells like a new truck.

As a certified control freak, I wouldn't fly in a light plane for any
reason, especially considering how dangerous they are. I would fly in a
double engine plane with a very well trained, professional pilot, of
course, but that clearly rules you out....

"Skylune" wrote in message
lkaboutaviation.com...
As a certified control freak, I wouldn't fly in a light plane for any
reason, especially considering how dangerous they are. I would fly in a
double engine plane with a very well trained, professional pilot, of
course, but that clearly rules you out....


Are you suggesting you have control over a "very well trained, professional
pilot" in a "double" engined plane or are you suggesting that they don't
crash? Perhaps you should read up on the Aspen crash a few years ago.

"Skylune" wrote in message
lkaboutaviation.com...
As a certified control freak, I wouldn't fly in a light plane for any
reason, especially considering how dangerous they are. I would fly in a
double engine plane with a very well trained, professional pilot, of
course, but that clearly rules you out....

Troll....PLONK!!

you obviously do not know George to make such a statement

"Skylune" wrote in message
lkaboutaviation.com...
As a certified control freak, I wouldn't fly in a light plane for any
reason, especially considering how dangerous they are. I would fly in a
double engine plane with a very well trained, professional pilot, of
course, but that clearly rules you out....

BTIZ wrote:
you obviously do not know George .....

and I intend to keep it that way. :-)

George Patterson
Why do men's hearts beat faster, knees get weak, throats become dry,
and they think irrationally when a woman wears leather clothing?
Because she smells like a new truck.

Did Skylune actually say he was a certified "freak?"

I would agree, Skylune. That you are, and troll to boot.


"Skylune" wrote in message
lkaboutaviation.com...
As a certified control freak, I wouldn't fly in a light plane for any
reason, especially considering how dangerous they are. I would fly in a
double engine plane with a very well trained, professional pilot, of
course, but that clearly rules you out....