Fortunately for the many North Idaho residents who love the sounds and sights of seaplanes lifting off in front of picturesque downtown Coeur d’Alene, the gaggles of tourists looking to enjoy the lake from a different perspective, and those seeking seaplane ratings in unique aircraft, Shane Rogers happened on this part of the world.
Michigan’s DeRuiter family can count three generations of seaplane pilots: Northwoods Aviation founder Don DeRuiter, his son Derek, and Don’s grandson and Derek’s nephew, Kyle. All three have logged hours in the same J-3 Cub on straight floats. Don DeRuiter introduced his grandson to his first flight when he was just three or four years old, and Kyle later received lessons from his uncle.
“Took a little longer to get off but that thing flew about 135 mph on floats; went like hell. You take a Norseman with any kind of load and you’ve almost got to get on your knees to get to 500 feet. It sort of staggers along. That Bellanca took another 20 percent longer on takeoff, but when it broke water you could just lift the nose at 90 mph and it climbed right out like hell no matter what was in it.”
Seaplane pilots and non-pilots that are fans of seaplanes, if you are not getting Water Flying magazine you are missing out on the only full color magazine dedicated to covering the entire seaplane community from Alaska to Florida from Australia to Lake Como, Italy and all points in between.
While most of the readers of Water Flying are seaplane rated pilots, an ever increasing number of non-pilot fans of seaplanes are receiving the magazine by joining the Seaplane Pilots Association.
The Seaplane Pilots Association
2073 US Highway 92
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Tel: (863) 701-7979
Email SPA at SPA@seaplanes.org