The really boring and totally pointless snippets thread V

[llondel]

Some joker has ordered 40C weather for us this afternoon.

[Boac]

Good for Spain! Galicia is tightening up on bad behaviour on the beach and other Spanish resorts also have alcohol restrictions. About time.

[Wodrick]

Good for Spain! Galicia is tightening up on bad behaviour on the beach and other Spanish resorts also have alcohol restrictions. About time.

Smoking is now banned on more than 540 beaches, the usual Spanish answer applies - a fine.

[G-CPTN]

Good for Spain! Galicia is tightening up on bad behaviour on the beach and other Spanish resorts also have alcohol restrictions. About time.

Smoking is now banned on more than 540 beaches, the usual Spanish answer applies - a fine.

I believe they fine you for topping-up the sea from your personal bladder.

[PHXPhlyer]

Perhaps I should persuade our big air charter company here to fit floats to their 208s. I will speak to the GM next time I see him. Wonder what TOD they require on water. Great if they could land on our lagoon. Would a hippo strike be a first? Speaking of which they have just come back after a 24 hr holiday. Out of the water the other side.

I have quite a bit of time in Caravans, all wheeled.
Caravans are surprisingly ground loving. It is quite possible to get into a place that you couldn't get back out of ( good brakes and reversing prop).

SPECIFICATIONS
LENGTH
HEIGHT
WINGSPAN

LENGTH
37 ft 7 in (11.5 m)
CARAVAN
CARAVAN AMPHIBIAN
DIMENSIONS
Length 37 ft 7 in (11.5 m)
Height 14 ft 10 in (4.5 m)
Wingspan 52 ft 1 in (15.9 m)
Wing Area 279 sq ft (25.96 sq m)
Wheelbase 11 ft 8 in (3.54 m)
Tread 11 ft 8 in (3.56 m)
CABIN INTERIOR
Height 54 in (1.37 m)
Width 64 in (1.63 m)
Length 17 ft 4 in (5.28 m)
Maximum Occupants 10 - 14
BAGGAGE CAPACITY
Weight 325 lb (147 kg)
Volume 31.5 cu ft (0.89 cu m)
WEIGHTS
Maximum Ramp Weight 8,035 lb (3,645 kg)
Maximum Takeoff Weight 8,000 lb (3,629 kg)
Maximum Landing Weight 7,800 lb (3,538 kg)
Usable Fuel Weight 2,224 lb (1,009 kg)
Usable Fuel Volume 332 gal (1,257 l)
Basic Empty Weight 4,730 lb (2,145 kg)
Useful Load 3,305 lb (1,499 kg)
Maximum Payload 3,070 lb (1,393 kg)
Full Fuel Payload 1,081 lb (490 kg)
PERFORMANCE
Maximum Cruise Speed 186 ktas (344 km/h)
Maximum Range 1,070 nm (1,982 km)
Takeoff Distance 2,055 ft (626 m)
Takeoff Ground Roll 1,160 ft (354 m)
Landing Distance 1,625 ft (495 m)
Landing Ground Roll 715 ft (218 m)
Maximum Operating Altitude 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
Maximum Climb Rate 1,234 fpm (376 mpm)
POWERPLANT
Manufacturer Pratt & Whitney Canada
Model PT6A-114A
Power Rating 675 shp (503 kw)
Propeller Manufacturer McCauley
Description 3 blade metal, constant speed, full feathering

I haven't flown one on floats but I am quite sure that the water run, especially on anphibs, would be quite long.
There are aftermarket engine upgrades that are available( 875 - 900 SHP vs. 675 SHP) that would help significantly.
I think there is a Garret 1,000 SHP out there too.

A Caravan is quite big and on the ground on anphibs is very imposing.

PP

[VP959]

I have (or had - not current now) a floatplane/amphibian rating. General rule of thumb is that the take off distance required is at least 50% longer on floats than on normal gear, can be double if close to MTOW, but landing distance is usually a fair bit shorter. Getting into places you cannot get out of is a very real risk. When doing my floatplane GFT the emergency landing bit was on a winding river. I got down OK, but the only way to get back out was for myself and the examiner to take our shoes off, climb out and push the aircraft a few hundred metres downriver. The water was only about knee deep, but even so I'd not have wanted to try it in an African river, to be honest.

[PHXPhlyer]

Similar thing happened to me on my multi-engine seaplane checkride.
I was given an engine failure and after running the engine failure checklist and securing the engine I chose a lake to land on.
The examiner complemented me on the landing but then commented on the relatively small size of the lake for takeoff.
I replied that taking off again was not part of the engine failure procedure.
He took off his "examiner hat" and put on his "instructor hat" and we did a step turn from the short axis to the long axis of the lake and finished the checkride (successfully).
Afterward he told me that due to the large wing area (UC-1, a converted Republic SeaBee) it would actually get off in less distance than the Cub on straight floats that I had done my single- engine sea rating a few days prior).
Sadly, the UC-1 that I flew was involved in a fatal instructional crash a few years ago.

PP

[Pontius Navigator]

t the only way to get back out was for myself and the examiner to take our shoes off, climb out and push the aircraft a few hundred metres downriver. The water was only about knee deep, but even so I'd not have wanted to try it in an African river, to be honest.

Biggles?

[OFSO]

We have found Paradise, for a couple of days. Both the immaculate mountain town of Mollo, Catalunia, and the old rectory there which Marten and Leticia have renovated to a high standard and is now a guesthouse. It's like one of the Greek islands where Odysseus could not persuade his crew to leave and return back on board - a deep sense of peace and tranquility among the forested mountains. It will be a wrench to leave and drive back down to the World.

[VP959]

Similar thing happened to me on my multi-engine seaplane checkride.
I was given an engine failure and after running the engine failure checklist and securing the engine I chose a lake to land on.
The examiner complemented me on the landing but then commented on the relatively small size of the lake for takeoff.
I replied that taking off again was not part of the engine failure procedure.
He took off his "examiner hat" and put on his "instructor hat" and we did a step turn from the short axis to the long axis of the lake and finished the checkride (successfully).
Afterward he told me that due to the large wing area (UC-1, a converted Republic SeaBee) it would actually get off in less distance than the Cub on straight floats that I had done my single- engine sea rating a few days prior).
Sadly, the UC-1 that I flew was involved in a fatal instructional crash a few years ago.

PP

My problem was that I'd fixated on the straight bit of the river, worked out that there were no real obstacles (other than a very high bridge that I could easily get under) and I missed the sandbanks further downstream, way further away. I tried to water taxy down the river but ran aground on a sandbank, hence the reason for getting out and pushing the aeroplane to a clear stretch.

My introduction to floats was in a Cub, at Jack Brown's. It's what made me get a seaplane/amphib rating, although I'd be the first to say that's not something useful or commonplace here in the UK. I well remember my first flight in the Cub, climbing out from my first water take off I asked if the 500ft rule applied there. The reply was "sure, stay under 500ft you'll be fine". Not really what I had in mind.

Only time I tried a step turn take off was in the lagoon off Alvor (in {Portugal). Got apprehended by the local waterborne police in a RIB who seemed to think I was being a hooligan. Not being able to speak Portuguese was a great help, they gave up after a few minutes and I took off and headed back to Portimao.

[PHXPhlyer]

Jack Brown's
My only regret was that the Cub had no electrical system so no nav instruments and the UC=1 wasn't certified for IFR so no chance of adding the ratings to my ATP.

PP

[Karearea]

-2.5°C at the moment, lawn white with frost, Agapanthus leaves have collapsed and look 'boiled'.
Did not cover lemon tree last night so will cross fingers and see if that helps.

Delightful lilac-and-rose pre-sunrise sky earlier.

Sunny, expecting 9°C.

[4mastacker]

One has been "selected" to accept the very kind donation to me canal society from PN's charity.

[Boac]

Alternative caption:
"Does my bum look big out of this?"

[llondel]

Received a report that the cafe at the Seattle aquarium has run out of fish.

[jimtherev]

Alternative caption:
"Does my bum look big out of this?"

I first met Mrs Jim when she was being carried off from a sports day parent race on a stretcher. (Snapped tendon.)
One was m/c-ing and one was later told "You were very nice to me".

[ExSp33db1rd]

Hope this doesn't brand me as a "hater", but am currently in the Los Angeles area and we are being constantly overwhelmed by support for "Pride Month" . Daily TV and Press coverage, and just walking around the streets, one is constantly assailed at every turn by LBGQT publicity and events and Rainbow banners and the like.

I have no affinity with the LBGQT movement, and don't give a stuff what they do providing this doesn't impinge on my life, but this does. I'm even cutting back on routine shopping, as almost every retail outlet is swathed with Rainbow style and Pride decorations, and patronising them makes me feel as if I'm supporting their message.

What really makes me mad is that LBGQT have hijacked the Rainbow, I used to stop whatever I was doing to appreciate a nice Rainbow, but now I can't bear it because of the connotations associated with it.

Those of us who are not of the LGBQT persuasion don't push our contra beliefs down everyone's throats, so why do we have to put up with all this?

My opinion was supported this evening by a TV News item showing someone repeatedly cutting off the Rainbow decorations off trees lining roadsides, but a City "Spokesman" claimed that the perpetrators were vandalising public property, i.e. the decorations had been placed by the City, and efforts are now being made to identify them and charge them.

Good on'em I say !

[bob2s]

Those of us who are not of the LGBQT persuasion don't push our contra beliefs down everyone's throats, so why do we have to put up with all this?

If they try making it compulsory then I'll be out of here.

[OFSO]

A sunny start to the day here at 4000' and 14°c. Forecast is for drastic drop in temperature all week. The ancient building we are in shrugs such things off: the walls are massively thick.

[Pontius Navigator]

One has been "selected" to accept the very kind donation to me canal society from PN's charity.

Must keep my ear to the ground for that event.