Seaplane rides over the Lakes Region
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Thought I would take a moment to mention that a good friend of mine has started a seaplane tour operation. The tours cover Lake Winnipesaukee and Squam and can be altered to satisfy anyones needs to see other landmarks. His dock is located on Paugus Bay and he can take up to five passengers. Standard flight is 30 mins and costs $50 a person. He also has the ability to come to your own dock or hotel and pick you up there. The price on that is dependent upon location.
He is an airline pilot with thousands of hours and has been flying seaplanes for over 30 years. To say that he is very qualified would be a understatement. He actually flew seaplane rides for my father 25 years ago. Seeing the lakes region by seaplane is a great way to see the sights. If anyone is interested his info is below. Lakes Region Seaplane Services LLC 603-387-7575 www.facebook.com/seaplaneservices www.seaplanetours.net (going active 7/8) |
EXCELLENT: Looks like a Cessna (206) Stationair 6 w/amphibious floats which means he can pick you up or drop you off at a DRY airport, as well as on Water.
What is the minimum charge...OR what is the Standard Charge for two passengers..? :) NB |
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Using the figure listed it looks as if may be $100. http://i45.tinypic.com/2n7e59v.gif |
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Sweet. I saw him cruising by the other weekend when we were anchored near the Margate. I plan to book a ride soon.
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I did a biplane ride on Marthas Vineyard last summer. We did a couple barrel rolls and I asked him over the intercom:
"How long have you been doing this?" "Never, this is my first time." :laugh: |
yeah I saw him yesterday
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Just wonderful
Sure, that's just great. I wonder if all the people that think a seaplane is just a great thing if it was taking off in front of their home all the time. So much noise you can't even hold a conversation. It was so nice when the last seaplane went out of business about 10 years ago. Now the noise returns - boy that's just wonderful.
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"Oversized": The Lake-Noise Problem ...
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As a passenger, be glad that seat belts became required equipment in aircraft—by law—after nearly 30 years of air travel without them! :eek: Quote:
I'm reminded that heavier floatplanes (like those with amphibious floats) require a larger propeller than "land" planes. The extreme speed of the prop at the tips of each blade is what makes all the noise: it's a mini and continuous, (and literal), "sonic boom"! A 130-HP Aeronca takes off here frequently—and both floatplane and pilot actually live nearby. Being just a two-seater—and with fabric instead of metal components—it "pops-off" the water in very short order. :cool: It's even easy to overlook! :coolsm: |
The sound issue has always been a concern. It was back then and still is now. The plane he selected was chosen because it is quieter than what was used in the past. He has also added the ability to pick people up from their homes so he isn't operating in the same spot 20 times a day.
He is also varying his takeoff patterns in Paugus Bay which should help as well. |
We took the ride today. What a fantastic way to cap off the weekend. The experience of seeing the places we raft from a "birds eye view" was fantastic. The pilot was excellent and explaned the process of going from boat to airplane. The take off was a little bumpy due to the boat traffic but once we were airborn the sights were fantastic.
Today the lake was fairly busy and the noise did not seem to be much different than some of the boats. As soon as the engine reved up we were airborn and gone. It did not seem as bad as the jet ski's or many of the performance or antique boats we love to see. The pilot's wife was the ground crew (or deck hand I guess) and was very pleasant. I hope they have a great season and do well with this venture. |
lake Amphibian
This is the ultimate amphibious plane ride. If you get a chance. 'Do it in a lake!'
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Thanks for giving me an idea on what to do with the kids on vacation next week! They are going to LOVE it! :D
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Biggest problem that causes me is... I don't like small planes, I explained to her that I thought that was a "tour plane" I had read about on the forum. "She who must be obeyed" has decided it is something we "have" to do. :rolleye1: |
Sunset Flight
I decided to give this a try and am going tomorrow afternoon for a sunset flight. He is picking me up and dropping me off at my dock, how convenient is that!!
Wave if you see us fly over!! Dan |
Hi Steve A,
1,000 posts! WOW Monday morning we cruised to Merideth then back to the Naswa for breakfast and then early cocktails at the beach bar. We took our tour around 1 PM. He would have flown us anywhere we wanted so we flew over our marina then did quick landing in Braun Bay to check in on our friends kids. We then took off again and headed back to the Naswa. I have flown in many planes and I felt very comfortable and confident in the pilot and plane. We took off in the wakes of many boats at the head of Paugus bay. The floats sliced through the waves very well. Even when we landed and turned back into a boat we took on waves that washed over the pontoons. The vessel was very stable. I can say the pair of pilot and equipment let me totally enjoy the experience and not have the mental concern of "what if"! |
Corrected Facebook link
Wanted to correct my earlier post. Lakes Region Seaplane Services Facebook page is facebook.com/lakesregionseaplane .
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Facebook Link Correction
Thought I would make a quick correction. The Facebook business page link for Lakes Region Seaplane Services is:
www.facebook.com/lakesregionseaplane |
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Alan |
Fantastic!
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Dave is very accommodating and has a lot of experience flying. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to see a totally different perspective of the lake. Here's a pic from the East side of Rattlesnake Island. Thank you "ackbard" for starting this thread! It was a great experience!! Dan |
Google is your friend
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Try using irfanview or some other resizing software. Under 1000 pixels wide is preferred. Thx. http://www.irfanview.com/ |
Seaplane picture from Meredith
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Yesterday we stopped in Meredith to take a few pictures. Great day for it. Should be a good weekend for flying.
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Great pic
Hey ISHOOT,
What an absolutely fantastic pic of the lake. I can't wait to get back up there tomorrow after 2 weeks at home. That pic should seriously win an award. Nothing says peaceful like "our lake" at sunset. Truly, truly, the picture of tranquility... HCG |
Stick it to the Man
Brian is there any chance you could swing me over the airport so I can jump out? Just want to piss some people off. I'll use a chute.:)
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Dan |
Good view of Wolfeboro
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Picture was taken yesterday over Wolfeboro. My relatives and I had a great time.
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Awesome. Hope to do it Friday
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It was awesome. Barrel rolls, loops, zero gravity stuff... I don't know I'm just happy to be alive...and have that lap belt! |
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We went on Saturday. Great time!
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Mini Sonic Booms? Where Did THAT Come From...?
('Necessary to quote myself here for clarity):
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The interview-ee (and pilot) "Dave" asserted that the plane was very quiet, stating... Quote:
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What a blast!
My family did a sunset flight yesterday evening. Beautifully calm day so a really nice smooth flight! Picked us up right at our dock and off we went. You get such a great perspective of the whole lake from the air. Really well worth doing!
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Nice sky last evening
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Coming back from Mink Island last evening the sky had some great colors.
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I'm not sure this is the case. Float planes quite often (mostly) use a THREE bladed prop instead of the normal Two bladed prop used on equivilent "Land" based planes. The reason for this is the Noise. A Three bladed prop on the same plane would actually be Smaller in diameter. ....hence propeller "Tip Speed" would be slower. :look: NB |
Being amphibious gives him a huge advantage over traditional seaplanes when it comes to buying fuel. He can hop over to Laconia Airport to buy his fuel.
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restrictions?
Are there any areas of the lake where he cannot land? I was telling someone about this recently (copying Dan's idea, I would love to surprise hubby and a few others with it) and was told that they cannot land in Winter Harbor (down near the Basin). I didn't believe it - but figured the folks here would know.
thanks |
I was told it was awesome, my two cousins went up last week, they loved it, and the plane is in great shape and has extra power
Also the husband and wife comination who run it are great, awesome people, they should be supported in anyway to get this business up and running for years to come, just great honest folks who provide a great product. My cousin's also said that they give a nice guided tour, not just a ride, so you know what you are looking at and what not My wife and I are doign a ride in October, cannot wait! |
My daughter and 14 year old grandson went up last week and had a fabulous experience. The pilot was informative, telling them about his background as a pilot and what sounds and sensations they could expect during taking off, landing and while airborne. He pointed out the sights that they saw around the lake. It was a thrilling experience for them ! Although rather frightening for me.
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To be sure, just call the seaplane service and ask. :) NB |
Not Near Tuftonboro's Basin...
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It's 9:20-PM now, and a NHMP twin-outboard just went by. They've been pretty active in this area, but not so much with the twin-outboard. That's two today, that I saw. |
Foliage Flights
Now that the weather is starting to change foliage flights will be taking place with the seaplane. I can tell you from experience that it is one of the best way to see colors change on a large scale. Very beautiful and highly recommended.
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