Float flying is one of the more relaxing way’s to enjoy our hobby. If your interest is scale or sport there are lots of subjects to choose from J3 Cubs are one of the most popular. Putting a set of floats on your old trainer is just one way to get started flying float planes. Just about any aircraft can be converted for flying off water; there have even been a couple of turbine powered float planes.
Every summer Robert and Betty Dicks host a float-fly inviting modelers from the area to join them at the water front property. Situated on Millers pond it is a quiet, remote location that’s only minutes from the city, the site has plenty of water front access, ‘rescue’ boat and a BBQ. For those that arrive early there’s fresh coffee and homemade muffins, it makes getting up early worth the effort.
This year approximately 15 modelers enjoyed a great day of flying. The winds were low and temperatures warm. An electric J3 cub, several Sea Masters, Trainers, and a Canso were just some of the aircraft at the event.
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- Saratoga on floats
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- Sea Master
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- Alpha trainer on floats
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- Alpha trainer on floats
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- George Jarvis flying his SeaMaster
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- Saratoga on floats
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- Sometimes the plane gets a litte wet
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- Saratoga on floats
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- Carl Goldberg Cub
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- Carl Goldberg Cub ready for take-off
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- Alpha trainer landing
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- Take-off!
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- Nice Landing
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- Splash-down
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- Betty & Robert Dicks
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- Another trip to fetch a plane after oops landing
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- The local ducks shared the water with us…no problems pilots & ducks gave each other lots of room.
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- Rescue boat recovers plane.
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- Family of ducks visit to check out the “strange new birds”
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- Having a helper makes launching the aircraft much easier.
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- A fun day for everyone
