Re: [Paddlewise] Kayakers Stay Alert

On Dec 18, 2007 2:39 PM, Dave Kruger <kdruger_at_pacifier.com> wrote:

>
>  The aircraft was one of those
> with a large cowling which prevented the pilot from seeing straight ahead
> on final.  I believe he did a flyby, saw no one on the water, and then did
> his approach and landing.  Meanwhile, with no idea the guy was coming in
> for a landing, the family entered the open water the pilot had selected.


I have never flown anything that lands on the water on purpose but I can't
imagine how you could not see a canoe over the cowling unless the pilot was
"dragging" it in (lots of power but then high angle of attack to keep the
speed down). Normally you have a nose down attitude until you flare for the
landing and by then one would assume the pilot would lhave seen the canoe.

This was not a section of the Willamette specially designated as an
> "airstrip," or in any way easy to suspect it would be.  It was all legal
> for the pilot to land there


Unless there is a restricted area or unless a municipal, state or federal
agency has imposed a speed limit, one can land a floatplane or amphibious
aircraft pretty much anywhere there is water. They land and take off in
front of my lake house all the time. To my great delight. Wish more would.


> IIRC, the operative language (Craig can
> correct me her, I bet) was the pilot had to exercise reasonable prudence
> in
> making his landing spot choice.


I wonder which part of "reasonable prudence" doesn't include watching where
you're going.

Gliders at the Ephrata airport land and take off on what would normally be
thought of as the "apron" of an old B17 training base. The clubhouse is well
off to the side and in order to get to the takeoff portion you have to walk
across the landing portion. We had a club from the Puget Sound area come
here and a dozen of their family members managed to wander across exactly
where I was going to land in my glider. I managed to extend my final and
missed them but not by much I bet. The coordinator for the airport chewed
out the club President who got bad and wrote a nasty note about how rude he
was.

I suppose it's important to watch what's going on no matter where you are
but sometimes it's not immediately apparent that there's danger.

Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
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