This skimming on the water “thing”

[Squawk7700]

Maybe I missed the boat with this trend (pardon the pun), but what is the go with skimming these bush tires across lakes and rivers?

It appeared to become a trend a few years back and now of late most of the YouTube vloggers are doing it. In one of the videos, the owner of the Kitfox company is showing an aircraft owner how to do it.

From anyone that has done it, is it as insanely dangerous as it looks or do these bush tires repel you off the water if you push the stick too far forward???

[Snakecharma]

I have not watched the videos, but do they say “watch this!” Because that always ends well

[machtuk]

No matter what machine a human designs there's always those that want to play cowboy & take it beyond it's intended use, maybe its a boy thingy?

[mcoates]

Lesson No. 1 You have to have your brakes on.

[kaz3g]

Charles Lamb recounts doing this inadvertently in a “Stringbag” during a night torpedo approach in WWII.

He held the stick to maintain same angle of attack, increased power and it lifted off again

kaz

[First_Principal]

Originally Posted by kaz3g

Charles Lamb recounts doing this inadvertently in a “Stringbag” during a night torpedo approach in WWII.

He held the stick to maintain same angle of attack, increased power and it lifted off again

kaz

To anyone interested enough to follow this up here's a review of Charles' book, 'War in a Stringbag'. Sounds like a good read, a shame there are no reasonably priced copies in this part of the world.

Also a Wikipedia article on the man himself.

UPDATE: Turns out that Bookdepository has a special on this book, hope to be enjoying the read soon

FP.

[Aussie Bob]

Lesson No. 1 You have to have your brakes on

Even that is a technique of conflicting reports, I have been told it is a myth. I see the videos even of these “boys” even marvelled at them crossing each other’s wakes. Not for me!

UPDATE: Turns out that Bookdepository has a special on this book, hope to be enjoying the read soon

Your money has been very well spent! Enjoy one of the great aviation reads.

[AerocatS2A]

Not exactly a new thing. I suspect it’s something that looks a lot more dangerous than it is.

You Tube

[KRviator]

Originally Posted by AerocatS2A

Not exactly a new thing. I suspect it’s something that looks a lot more dangerous than it is.

It's all fun and games, until it's not.

[Squawk7700]

Originally Posted by KRviator

It's all fun and games, until it's not.

That doesn’t quite match the scenario being discussed.

[kaz3g]

Originally Posted by First_Principal

To anyone interested enough to follow this up here's a review of Charles' book, 'War in a Stringbag'. Sounds like a good read, a shame there are no reasonably priced copies in this part of the world.

Also a Wikipedia article on the man himself.

UPDATE: Turns out that Bookdepository has a special on this book, hope to be enjoying the read soon

FP.

Its a great read and he has to be one of the bravest men of his time.

kaz

[601]

I suspect it’s something that looks a lot more dangerous than it is.

Ask the blokes in green flying a Swiss aircraft who tried to do this at night.

[cowl flaps]

Not too dis-similar to the ski attachments Col Pay was trying to perfect for loading water for fire bombing when he went in.

[rich34glider]

One of the dumbest things I've ever seen .. so much for sensible risk management & airmanship!

[Berealgetreal]

One of the dumbest things I've ever seen .. so much for sensible risk management & airmanship!

Yep. Beyond stupid.

[Squawk7700]

Originally Posted by cowl flaps

Not too dis-similar to the ski attachments Col Pay was trying to perfect for loading water for fire bombing when he went in.

That crash report posted above WAS Col Pay.

[BluSdUp]

In the spring of 1992 Krazy Bill at Stewart Lake Airways was finally checking out me and Ed on his C185.
I did my stuff first and after a while Bill was happy.
Ed and I swapped seats and off we went blasting down the lake.
Ed did ok, and his third or so landing he was particularly pleased with as he touched down smuuuuthly and turned to Bill and grinned....
SUDDENLY we felt it dig in as Ed had forgotten to add backpressure, Bill promptly yanked us out of the water, added pwr bounced once and Ed changed to a dark pink in his face.

I did a season with Bill and Ed later went home to Toronto , without an hrs more on the C185.
Point:
When it starts digging in its submarine time.
The most stupid thing I have ever seen.
Some kid will get it wrong.
And to top it off : this is on glassy water that is the worst condition for height perception and digg - in!
Pure Darwinism.

[Aussie Bob]

Pure Darwinism

I am sure it would also be pure fun as anyone who has flown a seaplane will attest. I have an aircraft with 32 inch tundra tyres but I ain’t trying it, To those that do though, good luck and enjoy!

[Capt Fathom]

Like this Aussie Bob?




Good to see some countries allow you to have fun in an aeroplane!

[cowl flaps]

Originally Posted by Squawk7700

That crash report posted above WAS Col Pay.

Thanks Squawk,- I didn't open that link 'til now.