As the summer is slowly winding down, seaplane flying in the northern latitudes will be winding down with it. The end of the northern seaplane flying season is highlighted by great fly-ins from Minnesota to Maine.
AirVenture – At the end of July, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Oshkosh, Wisconsin of course has its seaplane base. It is a welcomed oasis of shade, tranquility and steel drum music with a background of floatplanes moored in the lagoon on beautiful Lake Winnebago. The AirVenture Seaplane Base has a similar subset of events as the main campus. The FAA hosts daily Wings seminars, vendors showcase their offerings, and boat tours of the seaplane lagoon are all available during a visit. Friday afternoon the seaplane base hosts the Watermelon Social. This event is a great opportunity to catch up with fellow seaplane pilots, as well as relax after a busy week of airshow activities. Anytime during the week is great to visit the seaplane base, but if you want to attend the Watermelon Social, be sure to get your tickets early in the week as the event is known to sell out.
Greenville – Each year during the first weekend after Labor Day, adventurous seaplane pilots from all over the world congregate in Greenville, Maine for the International Seaplane Fly-In. This year aircraft ranged in size from Cubs to an Albatross moored in the cove. Greenville, with its population of 1,500, hosts the event as hundreds of aircraft and thousands of interested pilots and spectators gather to participate and watch the festivities.
Landing at Greenville Municipal Airport (3B1), visitors are greeted by the world’s only DC-3 on amphibious floats. Restoring the plane has been an ongoing project for many years. This year attendees were treated to a flyover as the plane once again took to the sky. No water landings took place this year. Hopefully in the future this majestic plane will show off her amphibious capabilities.
Greenville is all about flying. Aircraft arrive on the water and at the local airport beginning mid-week, and pilots prepare to take part in numerous flying activities. A poker run takes place on Friday which leads into the competitions on Saturday and Sunday. Competitions include a Bush Pilot’s Canoe Race, Spot Landing Contest, Takeoff Competition and Taxi Slalom Race. Each of these events are unique and highlight the participants’ mastery of their aircraft on the water and in the air.
The International Seaplane Fly-In is an event that will awe and inspire pilots and non-pilots who attend and keep them coming back for years in the future.
MSPA Safety Seminar – In the heart of Midwest seaplane flying country, the Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association (MSPA) again hosted its annual Safety Seminar at Madden’s On Gull Lake in Brainerd, Minnesota.
This year the weather on Friday was low IFR across much of the state. The Friday Poker Run, hosted by Wipaire, was moved from lakes in the local area and held at various locations around the resort. The dreary weather did not deter participants who were treated to refreshments, games and a “Beach Boys” theme at various stops. The Poker Run raised over $1,100 for MSPA which will be used for scholarships to foster the next generation of seaplane pilots.
Saturday’s seminars included an update from MnDOT Aeronautics, gear warning systems, and decision making. Friday’s weather cleared just in time for the annual accuracy landing contest. Participating aircraft ranged from Cubs to Caravans. A special appearance was made by a “Fire Boss” water bomber that demonstrated its ability to precisely drop water in Steamboat Bay. Competition was tight in the landing contest with multiple aircraft coming very close to landing on the mark. This year’s winner was a beautifully restored Beaver on amphibious floats.
The weekend culminated with a presentation by CJ Sturckow, highlighting his time not only flying seaplanes, but the Space Shuttle and Virgin Galactic spacecraft.
As this summer flying season draws to a close, we look forward to what the next season on the water and in the air has instore for us. It is never too early to start making plans for the unique seaplane destinations and events that will be instore for us next year!
