MY AMAZING SUPER SEAWIND FLIGHT TO GREENVILLE’S 2019 SEAPLANE SPLASH AND BASH FROM BEDFORD MASS

MY AMAZING SUPER SEAWIND FLIGHT TO GREENVILLE’S 2019 SEAPLANE SPLASH AND BASH FROM BEDFORD MASS

New Friends at Greenville Maine Splash In Sept 2019

MY AMAZING SUPER SEAWIND FLIGHT TO GREENVILLE’S 2019 SEAPLANE SPLASH AND BASH FROM BEDFORD MASS-Preparations: The great inventor, Mr. Thomas Edison once said: “Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.” When it comes to the latter there’s a whole lot of sweat preceding any Super Seawind flight.

In fact, 80% of my Seawind flying is preparations. Two days ahead of a flight its batteries charged, fueling, databases current, fluids checked. A day ahead I’m looking at weather and I’m planning a route and reviewing all relevant airports and seaplane bases. The day of the flight I do the preflight checks. In the case of flying 200 nautical miles to Greenville, Maine via KLWM for refueling and KPSM for a few practice landings, I also filled the cargo bay with camping gear and some emergency equipment. This was my first solo flight long distance in N71RJ.

Preparation was my best ally to reduce flight risks. Given that Maine has mountains, I chose a cruise altitude and my VFR route. Leaving on September 5, I refueled in Lawrence MA, took in a lunch at the café there and got on my way. After Portsmouth, NH, I headed north and quickly climbed to 7500’. I leveled off, increased propeller pitch, moved the flaps to negative 10 degrees and watched as the True Air Speed climbed to 156 knots at 91% N1 and a torque of only 59%. With only one engine, my PT6, I knew I had the power of a twin without the extra weight.

A Beautiful view from the top (MY AMAZING SUPER SEAWIND FLIGHT TO GREENVILLE’S 2019 SEAPLANE SPLASH AND BASH FROM BEDFORD MASS):

From this altitude with 270-degree wrap-around plexiglass of my canopy I had an Eagles view of South and Central Maine: On my right I had a grand view to the Maine coastline stretching East Northeast. Straight ahead lakes and hills passed. To my left, the mountains of western Maine and Easter New Hampshire. The air was smooth and the PT6 purring behind me was reassuring. With N2, Prop RPM at only 1900, It was also very quiet – relative to Pipers I also fly. Now 1,212 feet higher than New England’s tallest mountain, Mt. Washington, and the capability to triple this altitude, It struck me that there was something spiritual about being the captain of this incredible marvel I call a Super Seawind flying high over an amazing Maine landscape. How did I ever get to be this lucky?

Cruising: A few scenery wows and a dozen or so photos later the Greenville airport came into distant view just northeast the town of Greenville and inland of the Southeast shore of the lake. I notified ATC to cancel my flight following and I began my descent to a right pattern altitude of 2400’. Speed 148 KIAS and rate of descent 500 FPM until I joined the pattern. Abeam the numbers, 100 KIAS wheels down, flaps 20, I’m on my way to a good landing on runway 32. Moosehead lake stretched as far as I could see beyond. Am I dreaming? My Super Seawind touched about 150’ beyond the threshold on an upslope. Airport Info at Airnave; https://www.airnav.com/airport/3B1

Landing at Greenville, 3B1:

Long before the runway 3/21 intersection I was taxiing N71RJ using its amazing nosewheel steering. Seeking a trench-free camping area my Super Seawind turned like a quarter horse. After a few 180 degree turns it must have looked like I was mimicking a rare bird mating ritual. I didn’t first realize I had accumulated an audience! I think if I had turned it anymore, I could have charged admission. People all over the airport were enjoying watching me find my spot. After an unwittingly stellar performance, I finally settled next to two Lake amphibians whose admiring owners and flyers, Adrian Wood, Ralph Dean, Jim Sparaga, and John Hogland, would soon become my friends. I opened the canopy, cut the power and the avionics and I breathed a long sigh of relief. After too many years flew by, I had finally made it back to Greenville Maine! See events schedule here: https://www.seaplanefly-in.org/schedule-of-events

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