I only referred to me re boasting, no one else. I simply meant that looking at the vast training and experiences of those in this forum I have nothing for which to beat the drum. I'm always amazed at what so many of you have accomplished and I respect the hell out of it.
We have to remember, too, that the RFC and RAF sent pilots into combat in WW-I with less than 10 hours total time. Simply not enough time to spend any more on an individual pilot. On deployments from the UK to France or Belgium, it was not unusual to lose up to half of the aircraft launched due to crashes and getting lost. Times change. Some of those rotary powered aircraft were pretty hairy to fly, too. The French had a much more robust training program initially.
My sincere apologies if I came across as boasting. I was simply trying to encourage the OP to pursue his goal. Yes, military training during the Vietnam War was incredibly intense. There were pilot candidates in a holding company right behind us awaiting their turn in the cockpit. I know what I did, and I'm proud to have served my country. And I'd do it all over again. Sent by itsy bitsy electrons
That's very gracious and kind of you and the Admiral. I had a very good role model ahead of me who learned to fly seaplanes on our local river (Admiral Phillips). Maybe we could twist his arm to post a pic here? He's one of my heroes. Sent by itsy bitsy electrons
Dear Al and Terry, The lesson I most vividly recall was that you always MUST set the altimeter just before taking off, and that you must trust it implicitly when landing (sea-ing?). I found it almost impossible to distinguish between a light chop and significant waves and thus difficult to judge height above the water. Gads that was 61 years ago! Best regards, Robert https://www.dropbox.com/s/vxhfyiquwjl4rto/N3N%20copy.jpg?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/x6mxnnwdos5ohrl/on%20ramp.jpg?dl=0
Admiral- Same thing flying low level overwater. Very difficult to judge height because big waves and little waves look the same at different altitudes. So we relied on the radar altimeter, which I am sure your seaplane did not have. Flying out of RAF Lakenheath for 6 years, much time spent overwater since nearly all the ranges were water ranges.
Dear Terry, You are right, we had the barometric altimeter. We also communicated via gosport tube. Best regards, Robert
LOVE seaplanes.. my goal next year is to get a rating, hopefully an appropriate plane to go with it! My front yard is the Pacific Ocean, also 20,000 mi of coastline and who knows how many Islands..
