Sweet! But, can you tell me about the music? I gotta have it.

Lots of debris in the river.... but at least it is fresh water. Nice perspective vid. Thanks!

I uploaded the video to Vimeo and added the music through Vimeo as well (for free). Music: Lasarus by Mors Ontologica (myspace.com/morsontologica).

The river is actually relatively 'clean' now - most of the debris (I'm talking entire trees littering the water surface) finished washing through the river last week once the spring freshet waters subsided a bit. The river's still running high but it's pretty much finished plucking downed trees from the river banks. Most of the trash in the water now is just bark and other small stuff.

How do you like those CAP floats? Easier to fly than the EDO 2960?

I don't have a lot of experience with other floats (only a set of Aqua 2440's on a Maule), so I can't provide much feedback.
I've been told that the CAP 3000's are the best float for a 185 on the west coast (good in the ocean and such). Having said that, I don't like the rounded deck (my previous 2440's have a nice wide flat deck), and you can't really rotate out of the water without dragging the heel of the floats which tends to be somewhat 'counterproductive' to flight. I usually pop myself out of the water with flap.

Lack of rotation is the problem with 2960 as well. The shorter 2870 EDO was much better for this, but won't support the higher gross of a 185.

Only real solution these days is a set of Aerocets! Of course the price point is a stumbling block for most of us mere mortals.

If you ever run across a set of EDO 3430 they are a very good performer on the 185, just hard to find.

I should mention that the A185F with ART wing extensions is under floated on the 3000's and can't (legally) take advantage of much of the additional gross weight capacity the wing extensions provide. I'm drooling over a used set of Aerocet straight floats for sale....

I've flown some aerocets on a 185. Super slick, and really easy to pull out of the water. Pretty decent cruise speeds too.

I was amazed at how much space there was in the lockers and how little water they accumulated.

Nice video. I've recently taken some similar videos with my new GoPro. I have the Cap 3000 floats on my 180 and have taken to "rolling a float" rather than trying to rotate. Once you get one float off the water the plane quickly accelerates and lifts off without rotating. The CAP3000s definitely have a short sweet spot, but you quickly get the hang of it. I like the way the more streamlined floats ride in rough water and how much extra cruise speed you get with them. The narrow tops are no big deal for us fleet footed float plane pilots. I haven't fallen off yet.

This video shows the rolling a float technique in the takeoff sequence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0L__UnWMWg#t=12

Thanks for the comment. I haven't progressed to rolling one of the floats out of the water on takeoff - I find 300 hp real helpful in helping to get out of the water, but I'll give rolling a go.
BTW - a can't tell you have many times I've watched your "Flying With Rick" video - I found it very inspiring and ultimately led me to purchase the 185. Thanks for that!

Halestorm wrote:How do you like those CAP floats? Easier to fly than the EDO 2960?

The CAP floats are great performing floats on the 185, assuming a recreational flyer. They're a bit underfloated if you're trying to work a 185. And, as noted, if you've got one of the upgross mods, you can't use that higher gross weight legally.

But, if you keep the weights legal, and you're not trying to work nasty wind and water, the CAP 3000s are hard to beat....they offer good performance off the water plus really good cruise performance. They also take big wave action pretty well.

The Aerocet floats are definitely the hot ticket these days on the 185, though the Wip 3000s are great 185 floats as well. Bring money for both of those.

An older float that works really well on the 185 after a little experience is the PeeKay 3500 C floats. They're big, flat tops and lots of floatation. The EDO 3430 float is also a great float. Both these are big and heavy floats, though......

If I were using a 185 for recreational purposes, the CAP 3000 would be pretty high on my list of favorites.....

MTV

nofate wrote: I like the way the more streamlined floats ride in rough water and how much extra cruise speed you get with them. The narrow tops are no big deal for us fleet footed float plane pilots. I haven't fallen off yet.

According to one of my SES instructors in July, you must not yet be a "real" float plane pilot. She assured me that until I fall off a float, I will not be one, either. Well, Uncle sent me my new green plastic card which claims that I am indeed a SES pilot, so I'll reserve further judgment until/unless I one day fall off, too.

Cary