First time on a float plane

[ryan]

Volcanic Air Safaris
Lake Rotorua
Tuesday 13 June 2006
Cessna 206
ZK-EFI
Seat Up the front next to the pilot.

This flight waqs one of the flights I wanted to go on while I was in New Zealand. However, the weather was very bad over the last couple of days, but cleared in the afternoon.

This was my very first on a floatplane. Volcanic Air Safaris operate both a Cessna 206 and a DHC-3 Otter, but the Cessna was used as there was only three of us, myself, dad and the pilot.


MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall



MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall


Engine run up was a strange feeling, felt like we were about to take off, but we did not.

Water was rough, and I felt it in the plane. I expected with the drag of the floats the takeoff run would be longer than what it was.


MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall



MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall



MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall



MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall



MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall


As we flew the pilot pointed out various lankmarks along the way. It was quite rough with the aircraft bouncing around a lot.

I was surprised how poor the view was over the intrument panel was, particularly during landing and take off.


MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall



MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall



MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall



MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall



MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall



MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall



MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall


After 15 minutes flying we landed back on the lake, the landing itself was smooth, but the swell soon made the plane rock around as we slowed down.

Since there are no brakes the engine was cut before we reached the jetty.


MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall



MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall



MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall



MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall



MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall



MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall


I would like to thank Terry (our pilot) and the other staff at Volcanic Air Safaris for a great flight.


MyAviation.net:

Photographer © Ryan Hothersall

[DAL767-400ER]

Thanks for this trip report, it's always good to see a different kind of flight .

[ASpilot2be]

Cool report I flew on a floatplane for the first time last fall. We had an otter. The landings are the neatest in floatplanes.

[MaxPower]

Hey Ryan. Thanks for your interesting report.

Would have been nice to listen to the engine run up. That spooked ya a little bt, Eh ?

And your photos ? They are Excellent. Buddy

[ptbodale]

Ryan, you can't beat a float plane eh. A friend of mine has his float endorsement and once in a blue moon I get to go for a ride on floats.

[uy707]

Superb report suberbely supported by a nice extensive gallery, Congrats again Man !
Alain