| COMP AIR 8 - Heavy Hauler Floatplane, continued | ||
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| bit of fuel, so it was time to head back and see if the dolphins, gulls, herons,
fish eagles and alligators were still playing in our lagoon. But there was one more thrill
left for us. After the formation flight was over, the pilot noticed that the plane's
airspeed indicator and altimeter had ceased to function, and these were certified
instruments. (Maybe the fish eagle had built a nest in the pitot tube and blocked it?) But
not to worry. We called the pilot of the Comp Monster and explained our dilemma. He
rejoined us, then flew alongside our aircraft as it made its descent back to the water's
surface, calling out the altitude and airspeed periodically until we landed, making the
Comp Monster one of the most expensive airspeed indicators ever. Our pilot made a perfect
landing - one I guess you might call a no-splasher. (If it had been on land, we would have
called it a greaser.) When it came time to head toward shore, our pilot picked out a spot on the perimeter of the airport and easily steered the Comp Air 8 right in. I'd finally realized my dreams of flying a turbine-powered seaplane. The floats on the aircraft were excellent. Because they're of composite construction, they're not adversely affected by salt water, as aluminum ones might be, so they're particularly suited for installation on an aircraft that flies off the ocean. And because of their huge hauling capabilities, they're also good for flying in and out of brackish lakes in remote areas. So far, I'd flown two Aerocomp aircraft; my feet were still wet; and I was still eagerly looking forward to flying yet another Aerocomp plane. END Reprinted with permission. Text by Norm Goyer |
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January 2000 · CUSTOM PLANES 45 |
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| Comp Air 8: "Heavy-Hauler FloatPlane" |
© CUSTOM PLANES magazine |
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