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Posted By:
Hal Brown
Date Posted:
Feb 10, 2008
Description:
No SeaRey foray is complete without some not-so-serious drama. The St. Augustine expedition was no exception. It started with the launch and continued to touchdown back home.
The St. Augustine seaplane ramp dates back to the 1950’s. The seaplane lanes are located out in the busy waters of the Intercoastal Waterway. Grumman used to bring the Albatrosses (S-16s) to their Florida facility via the ramp. The water is deep and a channel was dredged to the ramp.
After the Navy phased the S-16 out of service, Schwitzer took over building amphibious Teals and using the ramp. It fell into disuse in the 1970’s before its recent refurbishing. The channel filled in some and hasn’t been dredged.
Bob consulted with the locals before launch. We were advised that the channel to the Intercoastal was still four to five feet deep even at low tide.
We wanted to use the little basin next to the ramp with its gentle ripples and no boat wakes. “Well,” we were told, “it gets shallow at low tide and the tide is going out.” That turned out to be a totally inadequate Notam.
The first two SeaReys bravely slid down the ramp and taxied to the far end of the basin. The SeaRey flight of five was given takeoff approval by the tower.
Power came up on the lead SeaRey, followed quickly by a nose down attitude as the tail radically raised up. An urgent warning was broadcast on the tower frequency, “Oysters! Oysters! Watch out for the oysters!”
I’m pretty sure a Cessna landing on the parallel hard runway immediately went around. I suspect that oyster sales at the airport cafU took a nose dive too!
What followed was a bunch of hull scraping and gnashing of teeth. Of course the formation immediately went shotgun. Planes launched in every which direction. Most SeaReys got a hull cleaning before they got airborne. Some just barely lifted off and got marsh grass stains.
(I’m not saying my airplane rides higher in the water, but I only had one hamburger and I didn't scrape shell.)
The adrenaline had just barely settled down before we ran afoul of big smoke. An intentionally lit fire sent a line of IFR smoke to completely block our way back home.
A frantic and urgent plea to the local military controller brought some relief. He allowed as how the damaged flying ships could limp through restricted airspace to get back home. “Just watch out for the fire choppers,” he advised.
Fortunately balm was soon available in the form of a spectacular sunset and beers at Darrell’s place.
Date Taken:
Feb 10, 2008
Place Taken:
R2910, FL
Owner:
Dan Nickens
File Name:
SeaRey_Sagas.jpg - Photo HTML
Full size - <img src="/show.php?splash=SZU110000h">
Medium - <img src="/show.php?splash=SZU110000m">
Thumbnail - <img src="/show.php?splash=SZU110000s">
Category:
244, Florida Fun Flying
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Read what others had to say:
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Robert Lee - Feb 19,2008
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OK now that was funny! Dan, you had me laughing out loud……a couple of the sailors might think I am wacko laughing at my computer like that. The mental picture of that fresh 172 pilot hammering his throttle forward to go around for the insidious runway oyster had me going. Glad to hear everyone made it back for a lessons re-learned session on shallow water estuaries.
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Rick Oreair - Feb 19,2008
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We missed you Robert!
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Robert Lee - Feb 21,2008
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Rick,<br /><br />That did sound like a fun time. I flew into St. Augustine for the first time in the RV8 only a couple weeks before going back to work. All the big shot pro golfers were there in their Citation Xs and GVs. I really like the restaurant, food was great. <br /><br />I will be back late March, we need to get that fishing trip to Steinhatchee organized. Fly in to the grass strip at Ancient Oaks Airpark and we are fishing in no time!<br />
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Jon Ladd - Feb 21,2008
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I'd like to get in on that!
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Don Maxwell - Feb 21,2008
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When do you guys find time to shovel the snow off your driveway?
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Charles Pickett - Feb 22,2008
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Don >> I was thinking the same thing
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Robert Lee - Feb 22,2008
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Jon,<br /><br />Man that would be great if you can make it! I want to here about your fly fishing trip(s) to Montana. Once I get back in the CONUS, we will make plans. The fish camp sleeps six for those who do not get enough fun in one day. Maybe we can get Dan’s father up there as well, I think he is a fisherman.<br /><br />Shovel what???
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Dan Nickens - Feb 22,2008
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Dan only fishes at the Tiki grill. I will volunteer to fly fish spotter for you guys if you'll catch and clean.<br /><br />What's a 'shovel?'
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Charles Pickett - Feb 22,2008
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Just as a reminder it is the square thing with the handle in front of the motor <br />home that is heading south Next <br />Friday<br /><br />'O' YES the white stuff 'Flakes of frozen rain'<br /><br />I know Dave & John WIMPIE example
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