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Destination - Canada
Got the urge to fly far last week, funny I could not find anyone to go to Canada with me? Left Saturday, stopped at Cable for fuel then crossed and landed in Lake Superior. That is 2 Great Lakes so far. Then off to Helgenson and Ely, then Crane Lake Customs. Scotts at Crane Lake is the busiest float plane port of entry in the US with about 100 planes on a Saturday. I asked Customs how to get into Canada thinking they would know - wrong - all US customs wanted is a $25 decal. Canada customs said come on over. I guess Customs and Canadas FAA are separate as there are many rules for flying in Canada that Customs does not know about.
Off to find a campsite in Voyageurs National Park about 250 sq. mi. of water accessible only park with hundreds of islands and sites. First come first serve and free! Float plane paradise! I flew around for 3 hours looking for that perfect spot and found one, sheltered from the wind with a dock, table, tent platform and bear proof locker. Perfect day, perfect weather.
That night turned windy then rain, bad omen. Morning brought south wind 15 mph. Not good! Left at 6 am heading straight south. Tried to climb above bumps, at 1500' AGL GPS said ground speed 12 mph. Indicated airspeed 50 mph. 4.5 hours to next fuel stop. I have fuel for 3 hours max. Had to follow rivers and lakes. Landed in small lake in swamp to refuel so no trees to climb over but wind at 25 mph. made 1.5' waves. Landed at 10 mph ground speed so only 2 bumps to stop. Was going backwards with engine running and taking on water. Very quick fuel transfer. 2 more bumps and airborne again. Very tense flying low in wind and bumps, 50 miles, no roads, no people, just lakes and woods. I hit a bump over a quarry, about flipped me. Ball Vairometer was a help, when I felt a push, vairo pegged full down, time to add power.
9 am fuel stop at Sky Harbor 3 hours flight time, just made it. On to Helgenson on north shore of Superior with thunderstorm right behind me. Radar showed 2 squall lines 20 miles apart with a hole straight across Lake Superior toward Keneddy airport at Ashland, winds a very eerie 0 mph. Things changing very fast. 10 miles from Ashland hit light rain. 2 miles out hit heavy rain and lighting. Engine at full power. Wondering just how much rain my Rotax can eat and still run?
Ashland was deserted so no fuel. I called Bob Payzer and he said he would meet me at Manitowoc Waters airport with fuel and oil, saved again! Thanks Bob! 57 miles to go, barely enough fuel. Back to 20 mph. headwind. I hit a bump 10 mi. out that about threw me out, didn't know if I should fight it or do my first snap-roll. My glasses and headset went flying , pop and stuff in the plane all over me. More tense flying. Kissed the ground at Manitowoc Waters. Left for home at 6 pm just ahead of more rain.
Total flying time- 6 hours to Canada, 3 hours there, 8.5 hours back. That will take care of my flying urge for at least 24 hrs. |