Fly the DHC-2 Beaver

A training flight with Dave Hadfield, including voice-over commentary. Circuits on the water near Ottawa, Canada, summer 2020. www.hadfield.ca
Song: "Bush Pilot" (c)words and music by Dave Hadfield, hadfield.ca/bush-pilots-song/
see www.vintagewings.ca/ for more aircraft in the Collection

[@tushugars]

We have a few Beavers operating still here in Sydney Australia - they fly out from Rose Bay where the Clippers originated from to 'across the world.' Sadly, the tales from many of the older owners are not always written down. My joy has always been flying in a Gruman Widgeon. "Captain" Ladd who taught me so much, always said ... "A shower of spray and we're away". He also said... "A shower of oil, this flight did spoil"... I know my grown-up son was astounded the first time he heard a Spitfire. That same day the Hanna's - both father Ray and son Mark displayed a FW. I hear the Spitfire from Wanaka in which Tim had his close call is back in the air doing its thing and delighting a new generation. Your videos are fantastic, sadly the old lads, without these stories - fade from our memory. There was a sense of wickedness and irreverence within those rascals. So Dave .... Thank you, the more you create - the more the next generations can enjoy. Oh for string, paper tape and purple polish... and an oily rag! Good wishes

[@davehadfield5906]

Thanks. There are still many DHC-2 Beavers working in Canada, particularly on the west coast. A Widgeon would be fun!

[@SwampDonkey530]

Gorgeous beaver indeed, pristine even!! What a pleasure to fly that girl..!! Thanks

[@scotty2307]

What a fantastic aircraft.

[@arvidsamuelsson]

Oh you flying Canadians! Just love your videos. Greetings from Bergen, Norway 👍

[@mothmagic1]

A beaver doing what it does best, playing about with water. I love the sense of the arrangement in the Beaver. The RPM and boost gauges right above the engine controls for easy reference when adjusting power settings. Even some modern aircraft are not as sensibly thought out.

[@olronholleran1310]

Thanks, reminds me of my youte, at 87, I was with you on that ride. Gramps

[@davehadfield5906]

I'd have been glad if you were there!

[@towcub]

Outstanding. Give our thanks to Mike for spending his money properly, on airplanes. He has our undying love for that from down here in the colonies!

[@Acrisa01]

Amazing video! Thanks for sharing!,,

[@b.atwater3904]

Wow ! That was one of the best videos featuring my dream aircraft i have ever seen ! Very smooth operation by both pilots ! Great job on the restoration and the perfect amfib floats. Looks like a million bucks..or close to it. Thank you very much.

[@gregpopp4847]

Very cool. Nicely done.

[@timwegner8002]

Heh Dave! Wonderfull videos and fantastic music. I was born and raised in the Ottawa Valley and used to fly quite often in Bradley Airs Beaver Piloted by Ronnie Bowes. The video brings back so many fond memories of my childhood. Currently have a Cessna 150F that keeps me occupied here at YQT. Thanks again,

[@sunnydayrcpilot]

So fun thanks for posting

[@FrederickRH1]

Great video! Thanks for the ride.

[@slrobbins3415]

I WISH I COULD AFFORD ONE!

[@nickespina1975]

Beautiful

[@joycewilcox6404]

Outstanding!!!!!!!

[@gilbertdavies]

That looks terrific! Beaver & Canada.. Last time you were flying a hornet, I understand youve flown a Hurricane too.. I have to find that👍 Dave, you get to fly some interesting aircraft..if you come to the UK give me a shout.. Fly my CAP10

[@kidmohair8151]

is there a more distinctive engine note than a Beaver taking off from water? as iconically Canajun as a lonely loon, imho

[@TheOneTrueSpLiT]

I'm waiting until I can "fly" this in the new Microsoft Flight Simulator, it was one of my favourite aircraft to fly bush trips around BC in the previous Microsoft FSX so I am disappointed it wasn't a default aircraft in the new rendition of the sim.

[@balsumfractus]

What kind of power are you holding on the decent to land...?

[@davehadfield5906]

Not much, steady trickle. Pitch full fine, speed 80 mph, rate of descent about 400 ft/min or a bit less. But it's not a time to look at the MP gauge, so I don't really know.

[@Oliverdobbins]

I don’t think you’re allowed to say “We’re going on a beaver flight to do some touch and go’s” any more.

[@davehadfield5906]

Hah!

[@glenmcgillivray4707]

Suddenly I start questioning myself, what are the right of way rules on water again? And how do floatplanes have to interact with them? Presumably you have to follow them, outside of something like 'dont expect a plane to give way during takeoff or landing'

[@davehadfield5906]

No weekend boater has a clue about where a floatplane fits in. They consider airplanes entertainment.

[@glenmcgillivray4707]

@@davehadfield5906 between this video and watching the recent Americas Cup racing, I started wondering 'if a moron tried to land a float plane in a race area's before noting: it would take a moron to land ANYWHERE in front of one of the foiling Monsters, behind maybe. So I just puzzled what rules floatplanes Should be following regardless. Weekend nosy casuals don't even respect speed or distance restrictions at the best of times, I can't expect them to respect the reality planes need a LOT of space to act safely.

[@1999zrx1100]

How the rich have fun. 🤨

[@davehadfield5906]

While they pay a hangar full of salaries, which are used to raise families. And while preserving Canada's aviation heritage in a way that federal museums don't.