Stories of the early days

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Maverick5207 said:
Optical allusion are a very real deal as is spacial disorientation but IMHO that's not the case here. The flaps are down, wings level and it appears there is ever so slight down elevator. That adds up to this being a purposeful maneuver in my book.
Either way, it's a cool photo.
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The pic was obviously intentional. I believe @FishnFly was referring to Rulon Gardener's accident.
 
We were buzzed by a C-130 (or similar massive cargo plane) at Tapestry Wall mm109 just south of Good Hope Bay about 3 years ago. Looked like he was flying the whole channel. It was extra special because one of our sons had brought a work colleague from their engineering firm who specializes in airports. About 10-15 minutes later, we were buzzed again as he had turned around and was heading back from whence he came.

Over the years we’ve also been buzzed up north a few times by the really fast military jets (F-18s maybe?)

We’ve also been in the Escalante and had small planes land and take off from the water.

All very cool stuff. Makes a great day even better having an unexpected show like that.
 
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Had the houseboat tied up in Oak Bay one fall. There was a lightening caused fire on the Oak side of Navaho Mountain. There were two twin engine helicopters dipping buckets about 100 yds from the houseboat and dumping the water on the fire. Every now and then one or the other would be gone for 30 minutes then return. I suspect they had a fuel truck stationed at Hall's or Bullfrog. Was an entertaining afternoon. Chuck
 
Maverick5207 said:
Optical allusion are a very real deal as is spacial disorientation but IMHO that's not the case here. The flaps are down, wings level and it appears there is ever so slight down elevator. That adds up to this being a purposeful maneuver in my book.
Either way, it's a cool photo.
Click to expand...
Totally agree, regarding the Cub photo.

My last post (optical illusions) was with respect to the Rulon Gardner accident that was mentioned.
 
I don't know if this story qualifies as old days, but we purchased our 27' cruiser from a slip at Wahweep marina in late July early August 1994.
First night out we were nervous about not going far so beached it just off Lone Rock. After sunset, looking towards Page, the sky was really bright and well lit up. Then got even brighter with fireworks. Turns out a lumber yard had caught fire in town was a major loss. My friend commented, something about miss O'leary's cow must have kicked over the shed lantern. Big mess.
 
FishnFly said:
Every action has an opposite and equal reaction. So the light and steady force of the wheels on the water would likely have some opposing force from the water against them just based on the surface tension of the water.

I don’t remember the specific flight speeds (V speeds) on a Cub from when I flew them in college but I suspect they power off stall (can’t create enough lift to stay airborne) somewhere in the high 30kts range.

Flaps are not down in that photo so he/she was likely traveling at a good clip. Definittelt more than 40kts (maybe 60kts to 70kts) as 40kts would be closer to touch down speed which would require a much greater angle of attack (AOA) (the angle between the chord line of the wing and the relative wind) to stay airborne. Definitely on the front side of the power curve. I would suspect the wheels were rolling across the water, almost as they would in a high speed touch and go. Definitely would want a calm day. With that much airspeed it would take a very slight pull on the stick or just releasing the forward pressure on the stick to separate from the water to a safer distance. Still a risky “show boating (yes, pun intended) maneuver”.

My biggest concern would be a prop strike on the water from a wave or submersing the tires just a little to much.
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Flaps are down.
 
Here's a discussion from Mountain Buzz that discusses a crash on the Colorado River outside Grand Junction. The area is called Ruby/Horsethief Canyon. Same kind of plane as the one discussed here.
www.mountainbuzz.com

Ruby/Horsethief - Another plane crash

And, another crash in Ruby/Horsethief.... https://www.9news.com/article/travel/pilot-injured-in-plane-crash-in-colorado-river/73-fe66e54d-cce5-4732-a182-9e723dd0f36e "The pilot was flying from Moab, Utah, to Grand Junction, Colorado, when the plane crashed about 11 a.m. Saturday." Right.....
www.mountainbuzz.com www.mountainbuzz.com
 
caverdan said:
Here's a discussion from Mountain Buzz that discusses a crash on the Colorado River outside Grand Junction. The area is called Ruby/Horsethief Canyon. Same kind of plane as the one discussed here.
www.mountainbuzz.com

Ruby/Horsethief - Another plane crash

And, another crash in Ruby/Horsethief.... https://www.9news.com/article/travel/pilot-injured-in-plane-crash-in-colorado-river/73-fe66e54d-cce5-4732-a182-9e723dd0f36e "The pilot was flying from Moab, Utah, to Grand Junction, Colorado, when the plane crashed about 11 a.m. Saturday." Right.....
www.mountainbuzz.com www.mountainbuzz.com
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Several interesting videos on there.
Explains a lot.
Still wouldn’t do it.

In the late 60’s dad did it all the time while flying for Alaska Fish & Game.
 
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