Getting Wet in the Aviat Husky

FLYING Staff

Sunday, March 17, 2002 at 10:00 AM ET

Verified

Aviat Husky on amphibious floats

Key Takeaways:

The author details their experience flying the Aviat Husky A-1B on amphibious floats, highlighting its modern features, enhanced performance (e.g., strong climb, useful load), and excellent handling on both land and water.
The article explores various unique seaplane flying techniques, including assessing wind from water conditions, executing different types of water landings (normal and glassy water, emphasizing crucial gear management), and mastering specific water taxiing maneuvers.
The author obtained a seaplane rating at Jack Brown's Seaplane Base, training in a basic Piper J-3 Cub, which focused on fundamental principles of "wing, wind, and water" essential for safe seaplane operation.
Central Florida is presented as an ideal region for float flying due to its numerous publicly owned lakes, providing ample suitable locations for seaplane activities and training.

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I don’t know if there are 10,000 lakes in Central Florida to match Minnesota’s famous license-plate claim, but I wouldn’t be surprised. As I flew over the region in the Saratoga on my way down to Sun ‘n Fun, I looked down at a landscape freckled with lakes, lakes big and small, blue and green, many of them perfectly round, or very nearly so. Unlike in some states, where it’s virtually impossible to find a place to land a water plane, the vast majority of lakes in central and northern Florida are publicly owned, and many are perfectly suited for float flying, which was just what I was heading down there to do.

I’d been wanting to get my seaplane rating for some time, and to fly the Aviat Husky on floats. So when Stu Horne, the owner of Aviat Aircraft, invited me to try out his company’s latest float plane, an Aviat A-1B on Baumann BF 2150A amphibious floats, I didn’t hesitate. We agreed that Sun ‘n Fun would be the ideal time to do it, since all of the major characters-Aviat’s chief pilot, Mark Heiner, myself and the float-equipped Husky-would be there for the fly-in.