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My First Taste Of Water
I enjoy reading stories submitted to our newsletter about people’s flying experiences. I think it’s a way for us to relive the moment and cherish those good times. I particularly enjoy reading of one’s first time experiences in flight, so I felt compelled to share my story. Late last summer I purchased an Aventura, (a single place amphibian) with great expectations of soon dancing on the waters. I quickly realized before I get too excited about water landings, I would have to learn how to fly a tail dragger. It wasn’t easy at first, but came up with a plan, first I used only grass runways for all takeoffs and landings, and then I progressed to taking off from hard surfaces and landing on grass. Finally I took off and landed on hard surfaced runways. After resolving some fuel mixture problems, a few temporary setbacks and getting comfortable with the plane, the time was right to become a duck! With the winds calming down, excellent visibility and a very comfortable 75 degrees, I planned on going down to the airport and do a little flying with Dan Marlenga (aka Pattywacker),Gordy Radtke (aka The Flying Gordino) and my son Greg. We decided to fly to Merrill to check out Steve Krueger’s (aka Brussel Sprout) new hanger. Upon approaching Merrill we decided to fly over the lake and check things out. Dan & Greg set down on the lake in the Searey, while Gordy in his Chinook & myself flew overhead to scout the lake and enjoy the view. We then turned back around to make a south approach to the lake. With very calm winds and slight ripples on the lake made for a perfect opportunity to experience my first water landing. I’ve been preparing and awaiting this moment for some time. As I made my final decent with 20 degrees of flaps and stable airspeed, I leveled off and softly touched the water for the first time. I throttled back and my aircraft slowed down as it transitioned into a floating duck. I then heard Dan’s announcement, “The Porchclimber is on the water”. I couldn’t believe it and I don’t think anyone else could either! Gordy soon landed after me and there I was, floating in calm water on an absolutely beautiful evening with my son and best of friends. Hey, it just doesn’t get any better than that! After enjoying the scenery for a while, it was now time to embark on our departure. I straightened out the aircraft, engaged 20 degrees of flaps and throttled up. I experienced a slight porpoise and pulled back further on the stick to stabilize and soon was on step establishing sufficient airspeed for takeoff. After making my departure, I re-positioned my landing gear for a landing at Merrill Airport. I soon spotted Steve Krueger in the pattern giving Nicki a flight lesson. We all landed, received a tour of Steve’s new hanger, visited Steve, Mike Ford and his fiancé Nicki. Our flight back to Wausau was extremely calm and enjoyable. After I got back home, my son and I re-lived the experience, one that will most certainly be remembered and cherished. |