Young man, VFR flying is VERY different from IFR flying especially in an area with NO airways and NO instrument approaches.

In fact, going unplanned IFR in these coastal mountain conditions will only get you in trouble.

But I've only got 22K flying VFR and IFR, fixed wing and helicopter, on four continents so what the hell would I know. 🙄

I was a Chief Pilot for many years.

Let me give you a bit of friendly advice, boy.

Arrogance and ignorance are not considered "desirable attributes" in aircrew.

Very yes. I've learned (sometimes the embarrassing or hard way) that you'll come out looking less arrogant or ignorant if you remain silent, or quietly ask, but not assert, unless you've a few thousand hours flying in exactly those circumstances. The term "pilot" describes such a broad set of skills and operating environment, that I'm convinced no one person could claim to be experienced as a "pilot". Certainly a person could be an experienced X or Y pilot, though probably if they have reached that experience level, they no longer assert, and don't present as being arrogant anyway.

As for float flying, like ski flying, there's a lot more "apply your hard earned skills to evaluate and make a plan in the moment", and a lot less "flying the filed route, with vectors to the ILS". In terms of use of instruments while float flying, for me it'll be something like: Airspeed - yeah, every now and then, but hardly to admire a fast cruise speed!, artificial horizon - nope, if I need that to fly onward, it is very unlikely that I can safely approach to land anyway, don't be tempted to press on. Altimeter, not really, I can see that I'm high enough, Turn coordinator, maybe a little, ball for sure! DG/compass, yeah, probably, so I go the right way, VSI, only for glassy water landings. Clock - yes!

"Bush" (water/ski/some helicopter) flying is very different to "airways" flying. The helicopter I flew from Alaska to Vancouver many years ago did not have an artificial horizon at all. This made the VFR flying much safer, as you were not at all tempted to creep up into cloud! You were automatically disciplined to remain actual VMC, no funny business/home made IFR. Instrument flying is very valuable - but not for bush flying!

Perhaps the same could be said of not having an instrument rating. This effect is sometimes called the Risk Compensation Hypothesis, at least in road safety.

Spoken by a man who obviously has LOTS of experience.

Thank you, DAR 😁

Make that 5 in a month
 

1 dead, 6 rescued after float plane crash near Algonquin Park

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toron...igests-toronto

C 185
 

Another one down.
A C185 on floats, my old type.
Correct me if I am wrong, but, 7 occupants , is that not a tad crowded?

Sad , anyhow.
Regards
Cpt B

I've known the family for many years. The pilot's wife was amazingly strong and heroic following the accident, and deserves incredible credit. For anyone so inclined, there is a Go Fund Me page for her, and their kids. I have contributed:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/hero-dad-...n-plane-crash/

Apologizes!
 

I feel a bit ashamed in questioning the number of occupants in this devastating family tragedy.
A snug and good fit with the kids in the back, not big US tourists that I used to fly in my C185 at Stewart Lake Airways.

I dont know what to say.
It was good that all the Kids and Wife made it.

Condolences
Cpt B

Here is another one, a Cessna 206 in the trees near Shawinigan, Quebec:

https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/j...shawinigan.php