Seaplane Pilot

My complimentary membership of the Seaplane Pilots Association arrived in the mail today. Thanks guys - am enjoying the read of your magazine and hope to train many more seaplane pilots in South Africa through our Flight School here which is preparing documents for seaplane training through our SA Civil Aviation Authority.

Landing the Seagle on Langebaan lagoon

As an extension of the flight home in our Flight School's new Sling "Yankee" ZU-FYA we flew to Langebaan lagoon at Saldanha up the west coast a short flight north of Cape Town. Here we met up with Rainer of Wings 'n Tracks who flies the only amphibian plane presently flying in South Africa - the Seagle, ZU-SEA appropriately named NELSON - the Seagle's name is Nelson ha ha.

Louis goes for a ride in "Nelson"

The Langebaan lagoon is vast with sheltered areas suitable for landing as well as a large are where they are harvesting mussels

Final Approach Langebaan Lagoon

The Seagle touches down and the fusillage becomes a boat partially submerged in the water

Myself and pilot Rainer, two of only a handful of seaplane-rated pilots in South Africa

The wingtips become stabilising floats which just touch the water and give directional stability. The plane also has a water rudder which helps steer once you have landed in the water

The Seagle's top-mounted Rotax 914 turbo keeps water away from the propellors and one is able to adjust the blades once landed to provide reverse thrust for sailing the plane backwards if needed to manoeuvre in difficult places or mooring.

SeaPlane off Vetch's in Durban?

Apparently there is a seaplane operating out of Langebaan lagoon north of Cape Town and I understand that there are a handful of (including myself) qualified seaplane pilot's in South Africa. The amphibian (can take off on land or water) is operated by Wings and Tracks from Brits near Johannesburg and they also land on a dam near there.

I am going to fetch our new flight school Sling plane in Cape Town next weekend and will have time to go up to Langebaan to see the Seagle in action and maybe even fly the plane.

The Seagle Amphibian which flies out of Langebaan lagoon

Durban Harbour and Vetch's pier could be good landing spots for an amphibian based in Durban with training though Durban Skyye Flight School based at Virginia.

The popular Foxbat plane in South Africa can also be fitted with floats to land on both water and land (with retractable wheels) 

Bundu Aviation from Bronkhorstspruit also supply Zenair floats that can be fitted to a variety of planes