The summer is giving way to fall, and flying days are growing shorter. Hopefully you have had your share of summer adventures. Landing in small grass strips and pitching a tent may have to wait till next year for me as my summer adventure took me to the heart of float flying in central Canada. I spent many years as a youth watching float planes depart the town of Sioux Lookout for points to the north, carrying supplies to remote communities. Sioux Lookout is a supply hub for an area that is probably 60-70 percent water to land. Float planes are definitely the way to see the countryside, and yet for the number of times I have been back to the area to visit family I have never had the opportunity to see Sioux from the air.

This time was to be different, as I had gotten to know one of the local charter companies. My niece’s ex-husband is an AME for this carrier, and I sometimes stop by the base for coffee and conversation. One of the conversations turned to how Peter (ex-nephew in law) has just received his Ultralight pilot permit. He was able to purchase a Zenair 701 that had been damaged in a windstorm at the local airport. As he purchased it without an engine, he did some searching and came up with a solution.

As some of you know I had spent the winter of 2011 trying to get a 3 cyl Suzuki car motor to fly my Buzzard. Testing proved it to be less than a workable power source for the Buzzard. Undaunted, I have decided to try the 4-cyl model with 16 valves and a reported output of 85hp. If some of you remember, I had found a motor all set up for my Buzzard with the belt drive, saddle bag oil tank, custom intake manifold and so on. I had phoned the guy in New Brunswick to tell him that I would take the motor, and he said he would get back to me. Turned out he had someone willing to possibly take the whole motor and I was more interested in the parts from the package. As it happened Peter (nephew in law) had bought the motor for his 701. I guess we will have to swap stories about getting our Suzuki 4-cyl motors running.

This time of year, the town of Sioux Lookout has a blueberry festival with many events for tourists and locals to enjoy. Pancake breakfasts, train rides courtesy of VIA Rail, displays by the Volunteer Fire Department, Golf Tournaments and even rides by the local float plane outfitters are all a part of the celebration. Tickets were a reasonable price, and a 15-minute flight was on the agenda. The local pilots were flying a couple of Turbo Otters, a Beaver and a couple of Cessnas. Rides started at 10 am and were to continue until 2 pm. Winds picked up as the day progressed and a Cessna 206 ended the day inverted in the bay. The pilot and 4 passengers escaped any major injuries and were all quickly picked out of the water by a pontoon boat. Reports are unclear as to the cause of the incident and we will have to wait for the report from the Transportation safety board to determine what really happened.

It serves us as a reminder to not become complacent with our walk around and takeoff checklist. I know there have been times that I have decided to take a quick flight and not performed as complete an inspection, as I should, and then the nagging feeling of What did I miss. Remember to follow the lists and the procedures to minimize your risk when you take to the air. DON’T LET COMPLACENCY SNEAK IN AND RUIN YOUR DAY.

Till next time…Smooth Skies and Good Lies