.

Coolest thing ever! Kevin nice work.

Haters can suck your tail feathers!

If I were to have done it, it would have been the dumbest, most foolish possible thing, and I'd probably have gotten plenty wet and lost my airplane in one big splash. So I'm not about to try it. If others have the skills or huevos to try it, it's their business and their airplanes.

On the other hand, I have to agree that the great unwashed members of society, all those peons who don't know the joy of flight, have a tendency to look on us as some sort of chance-taking mavericks, even if we fly straight and level and don't do anything that the average 300 passenger airliner doesn't do. And unfortunately, the vast majority of lawmakers are among those unwashed peons. They're the ones who get their panties in a twist, and they're the ones who issue the statutes and regulations that affect us. They're the ones who can directly affect whether we can continue to do those things which give us the joy of flight.

So if anyone cares, I'd just as soon the video did not go viral. Too many of the wrong types are likely to see it.

Cary

Too many of the wrong types are likely to see it.

Cary

"The wrong types" have already seen it, and their issue isn't what was done, but where it was done. They know they can't do much about what was done, but they will do something about where it was done. All they are seeing is an 80 gal sheen of leaded avgas and oil with heavy metals, arsenic, etc bubbling up from the state's crown jewel due to a mistake. And that was almost a direct quote. How we may feel about this will have no bearing on how this is played out now, but it will impact us.

Zenithguy wrote:

Too many of the wrong types are likely to see it.

Cary

"The wrong types" have already seen it, and their issue isn't what was done, but where it was done. They know they can't do much about what was done, but they will do something about where it was done. All they are seeing is an 80 gal sheen of leaded avgas and oil with heavy metals, arsenic, etc bubbling up from the state's crown jewel due to a mistake. And that was almost a direct quote. How we may feel about this will have no bearing on how this is played out now, but it will impact us.

Can you extrapolate on that...who saw it and where you saw that they saw it? I'm curious about how this will play out. "Bad" is my gut feeling, but maybe Kevin will pull the video and minimize the damage.

I like flying videos as much as the next person, but it's not too hard to see why this one should have stayed on the hard drive. Maybe project it at the next High Sierra Fly-in, but don't stick it out there for the world to see, and judge...

No doubt a lot of people think Kevin should raise his middle finger to the nay-sayers and tell them to suck it, and I'd be one of them if I thought the blowback was only affecting him. But it's going to affect everyone with an airplane, I'm afraid.

As always, just my opinion.

How do I hydroplaning the wheels?

gbflyer wrote:How do I hydroplaning the wheels?

That's the question I've had since the video was posted. I've done a good amount of modifications to my Pacer to feel a bit more secure off airport when I fly from the middle of my nowhere to the middle of nowhere.. I have many hours in skinny water with my jet boat...think I can read water depths and current and what not pretty well... I'd like to fly to those favorite sandbars. This summer I'll probably head out to Willow or Talketna for off airport instruction....tire skipping is on my list of how do I do that?

m_moyle wrote:

gbflyer wrote:How do I hydroplaning the wheels?

That's the question I've had since the video was posted. I've done a good amount of modifications to my Pacer to feel a bit more secure off airport when I fly from the middle of my nowhere to the middle of nowhere.. I have many hours in skinny water with my jet boat...think I can read water depths and current and what not pretty well... I'd like to fly to those favorite sandbars. This summer I'll probably head out to Willow or Talketna for off airport instruction....tire skipping is on my list of how do I do that?

There's no great mystery to waterskiing, other than if the prop ever gets a good bite on the water, you'll test out your shoulder harnesses. Still got the pictures.[emoji6]

Plus 1 to Cary, Zenithguy and Hammer

Avoided this thread like the plague for so long… Mostly because I just knew i was going to be disappointed… But finally figured what the heck… let's look inside pandoras box… Surprise.. (not really…)

Disappointed… lol

Don't get me wrong.. I'm not a hater, in fact I'm a frequent partaker….

Why disappointed? let me count the ways…

I'm disappointed because once again a whole armada of folks are going to talk up the dangerous act of waterskiing an airplane… IMHO the Just SSTOL Vx take offs depicted in another thread are 100 time more dangerous, and probably even more unforgiving.

I'm disappointed that once again a whole armada of folks are going to be mesmerized by someone's level of 'skill' or 'cajones' because they are waterskiing an airplane… Do this three times and you too will say "Really?… that's it?… THIS is all the magic it takes to waterski?" In all honesty, waterskiing an airplane requires no more skill than landing precisely.

I'm disappointed because, the 'record thing'… I can't count the number of river runs I've personally witnessed that smoke the distance discussed here. Sorry man… Looked cool non the less...

I'm disappointed at the 'hey look at me', 'hope it goes viral' thought process… The best sticks I know are the guys humbly that roll their mom and pop built J3's out and promptly hand the guy in a quarter million dollar SQ2 his hat Or the kid that flies his C150 into Mile high and swings it around next to the 'good ole boy' Super cub clan…

I'm disappointed because as cool as it is to go blasting across an open lake at full tilt in a half dozen airplanes, it's even cooler when you can do so in a location that isn't going to have people that are sure to be there for the sole purpose of seeking tranquility… In other words enjoying yourself without compromising someone else's enjoyment…

And most of all I'm disappointed because as resourceful, photogenic, and charismatic as Kevin is, IMHO he could have easily created a cool video that drew more positive light to a flailing GA health, instead of a cool video that was so controversial at the same time..

I don't think your being greedy for putting it on the WWW and hoping it goes viral… No, in fact I don't think your being greedy enough, because if you were, you'd be thinking about the prospect of your youngsters being able to enjoy doing the same thing, and with all the noise this video will make if it does go viral, that prospect is going to be pretty slim …

I don't mind being the 'uncool' guy that calls a spade a spade… In my not so humble opinion this video really needed to be reserved for the home party, or high sierra at best… Not only do I hope this doesn't cause ripples that affect us all, I hope it doesn't cost you your ticket…. again!

Take care (and good luck) Rob

Well said ,+ 100 to Rob

glacier wrote:slow is what will get you, not low. Going 80 mph with 31's, you can push down harder than you would ever want to.

Thats the irony.

And yeah, + another 100 to Rob.

Thanks for all the replies, comments, concerns etc.

I love how some folks get there panties in a wad over tire cleaning. As Rob said its about as easy as landing on the runway at night. Not much to it, but that does not mean you should go out and do it.

I do very much appreciate all of the concerns over the giant Kalifornia Gem.

Probably wasn't the best place to do this BUT it was 100% legal. The side note is that it was a very selfish act that my brain has been begging for. Having the heli and camera was a bonus.

We have not posted a video. Just a short 5 second iPhone clip.

For now the video will sit idle. I hear and appreciate the concerns.

Akt

Rob wrote:... I'm disappointed because as cool as it is to go blasting across an open lake at full tilt in a half dozen airplanes, it's even cooler when you can do so in a location that isn't going to have people that are sure to be there for the sole purpose of seeking tranquility… In other words enjoying yourself without compromising someone else's enjoyment…

Given the "anti" attitude that a lot of legislators seems to have, very much of this sort of activity and publicity might get a "flight below 2000' AGL prohibited" zone placed on Lake Tahoe. Don't think it can't be done either- Lake Crescent on the north edge of Olympic National Park in Washington has such a restriction.

Legally I am a watercraft if planning for many miles across a lake with bush wheels:

http://tahoeboatinspections.com

The mud and other biological matter is being "Cleaned" into the Lake from the tires. Spreading it from other locations.

I think twice and avoid water skiing aircraft because it is illegal to spread foreign matter into lakes in most of California. Other areas have different laws I assume too.

With the seaplane I was advised to complete http://tahoeboatinspections.com

Opinion. Not tested.

aktahoe1 wrote:Thanks for all the replies, comments, concerns etc.

I love how some folks get there panties in a wad over tire cleaning. As Rob said its about as easy as landing on the runway at night. Not much to it, but that does not mean you should go out and do it.

I do very much appreciate all of the concerns over the giant Kalifornia Gem.

Probably wasn't the best place to do this BUT it was 100% legal. The side note is that it was a very selfish act that my brain has been begging for. Having the heli and camera was a bonus.

We have not posted a video. Just a short 5 second iPhone clip.

For now the video will sit idle. I hear and appreciate the concerns.

Akt

Class act

hotrod180 wrote:

Rob wrote:... I'm disappointed because as cool as it is to go blasting across an open lake at full tilt in a half dozen airplanes, it's even cooler when you can do so in a location that isn't going to have people that are sure to be there for the sole purpose of seeking tranquility… In other words enjoying yourself without compromising someone else's enjoyment…

Given the "anti" attitude that a lot of legislators seems to have, very much of this sort of activity and publicity might get a "flight below 2000' AGL prohibited" zone placed on Lake Tahoe. Don't think it can't be done either- Lake Crescent on the north edge of Olympic National Park in Washington has such a restriction.

For my own education, I looked up lake crescent area and couldn't find where this restriction existed. I do see that such a restriction lies over the western seaboard and it violaties NOAA regulations through 15 CFR 922. However, is lake crescent not located in the area that you are requested not to fly below 2000' AGL, but is not regulatory? Don't get me wrong, the intent is to basically prevent otherwise legal low altitude flights and to not disturb people/wildlife in these areas. But isn't this more of a request rather than regulatory?

aktahoe1 wrote:Thanks for all the replies, comments, concerns etc.

I love how some folks get there panties in a wad over tire cleaning. As Rob said its about as easy as landing on the runway at night. Not much to it, but that does not mean you should go out and do it.

I do very much appreciate all of the concerns over the giant Kalifornia Gem.

Probably wasn't the best place to do this BUT it was 100% legal. The side note is that it was a very selfish act that my brain has been begging for. Having the heli and camera was a bonus.

We have not posted a video. Just a short 5 second iPhone clip.

For now the video will sit idle. I hear and appreciate the concerns.

Akt

For me it brought back very fond memories of Tahoe aviation from the heyday of the 60's. I miss the Lake flying activity from the past.

8GCBC wrote:Legally I am a watercraft if planning for many miles across a lake with bush wheels:
....

Cute, but I doubt that it would fly if you put it to the test. Does CA or NV have boat registration stickers? WA does. "OK watercraft, where's your sticker?".
Same deal with claiming you're a vehicle when landing on roads. "OK where's your registration / ORV sticker".

hotrod180 wrote:

8GCBC wrote:Legally I am a watercraft if planning for many miles across a lake with bush wheels:
....

Cute, but I doubt that you fly if you put it to the test. Does CA or NV have boat registration stickers? WA does. "OK watercraft, where's your sticker?".
Same deal with claiming you're a vehicle when landing on roads. "OK where's your registration / ORV sticker".

Do not stir your shit up. Lay low.