Glassy water + Step Turns = Most Uncomfortable Float Flying aspects - Alaska part 2

So much more Alaska training coming from this multi part series!
Proud to be associated with ForeFlight: www.foreflight.com/flightchops/
I hope you’re all doing well during this tough time!
Thanks to Martin and Tim from APEX Alaska
It’s not launched yet, but when it is they’ll have you covered end to end with amazing lakeside accommodations for summer and winter training at the Alaska Aviation Adventure HQ.
Pilots would come and join us to “expand” their flying skills, get to see Aviation from a different angle and experience the application of it to Alaska. Specialized 1 on 1 training as well as groups of 6-8 to come and fly helicopters, floats (Super Cub and beaver), wheels, skis, lakes rivers and Ocean!
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Huge thanks to all the Supporters on Patreon! Productions like this wouldn't be possible without your help!
For those that haven't seen it, please check the Flight Chops Patreon page to find out how you can be a part of it
/ flightchops
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Infinite Flight
infiniteflight.com/
COPA
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adventure.learnthefinerpoints.com
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FLIGHT CHOPS DISCLAIMER:
I am a "weekend warrior" private pilot, I fly for fun with no intentions of going commercial. I have had my PPL for over 15 years, but still consider each flight a learning experience - I generally take detailed notes after each flight to remind myself what went well or what I could do to improve.... Having the GoPro cameras to record flights like this is invaluable. I find these self analysis videos very helpful in my constant quest to improve, and am happy to share. Feedback is invited; however, please keep it positive.
Visit www.FlightChops.com for behind-the-scenes content, epic giveaways and search episodes by aircraft type!

[@GenericAnimeBoy]

"Wings level by the time you get over the moose" may be the most Alaskan thing yet uttered on this channel.

[@UnderTheJelloMoon]

I used a moose as a "takeoff by this point" once, and I'm in Ontario!

[@MikeyMcBryan]

Very well done. The presentation was so well done, I had the same face as @FlightChops during the whole video!! Fun and Stressful lol

[@bjs2022]

In my seaplane type rating in the 1960s, step turns were taught primarily to make a 180° turn to travel downwind from a wind that was too strong to turn out of because of weather-vaneing, even with the water rudders down and/or the danger of a gusting wind flipping the plane when you are ploughing 90° to the wind. The speed to safely make the step turn was dependent on the strength of the wind. Too slow and plane won’t turn and too fast you might flip toward the wind. I look forward to the future episode to see how he teaches docking in wind, including sailing utilizing the ailerons and the keel effect of the floats to steer backwards to maneuver to a dock.

[@sb859]

Mind Blown. Had no idea how much was involved in Glassy Water. Chops, I got my Multi rating this week!

[@earthsciteach]

"You should be wings level at about the time we pass the moose." I truly hope to hear the same thing some day! Great video, Steve!

[@master1387]

4:55 to 5:15 has to be the funniest part XD. Boats, Porpoising, a Loon, and Steve's chill announcer commentary what a hectic/comedic sequence of events that unfolded.

[@colinlovdahl3579]

Noob question here but what exactly is a Loon?

[@master1387]

Colin Lovdahl it’s just a lake bird. Similar to a duck.

[@pappybo49]

Colin Lovdahl kinda looks like a greeb

[@gordanmilne7034]

@@colinlovdahl3579 Take a look at Great northern, Red throated and Black throated Divers, not sure if there are more options.

[@lonememe9674]

I love that very wild North American flying using ground references like...a moose. I'm so glad I live out West.

[@onefourwhisky]

During training I did plenty of practicing glassy landings and got the technique down pat ... but I never got a chance to Experience a real life glassy landing till my check ride...That morning there was not a puff of wind to be found, I couldn't even find a bullfrog to make a ripple...check ride started with my.first takeoff on glassing water.... longer run, Lifted one pontoons then the other and every thing when fine (Great learning experience) The examiner got me to fly to a new lake...as glassy as glassy could be, so my first landing on the check ride was my first real glassy water landing, I will tell you it was a real pucker factor, every instinct I had make me want to a flare at about 100 feet above the water, But I concentrate on the technique and held the pitch, airspeed, descent rate... Everything turned out great... but last 10sec were the longest 10 seconds of my life Lessons learned, A)Be serious about your training, and then trust in your training B) Don't take glassy landings or takeoff lightly....It's serious business

[@AlexFeldstein]

This is much tougher than I thought it would be.

[@FlightChops]

Yeah... there's a lot to learn for sure!

[@bellofello1]

1/3 boating lol. I'm glad I've driven lots of pontoon boats. I imagine step turns feel similar. Flat and weird lol

[@francisconti9085]

Your skiplane flights w/Dennis helped me be more successful on my RC ski plane .. I have 50 hours of cold thumbs😎👍Learning process & approach setup makes all the difference, Thanks Steve, I owe ya for the pointers towards the full scale process, & the entertainment value! You start excellent thought path/awareness & dialogue guidance!

[@WilhelmAviator]

This guy is an amazing instructor.

[@pinebearclub]

Absolutely drinking this all in! Thanks so much for doing all this work Steve! I discovered float plane flying first hand just over a year ago here in BC and have been hooked ever since. But at 51 years old, it will stay a dream. Maybe in the next life! Bryan from Vancouver

[@peterhoover182]

nothing better than waking up to a new FlightChops video

[@pano-rific8838]

Steve, fun stuff and excellent ground school/flight practical to mentally prep for what's actually required to achieve proficiency. Excellent camera angles and multi screens. ~ your neighbor

[@ThatWasLoud]

This is THE definitive ground school for the airplane single-engine sea rating

[@ProKr3w]

One of the best series you have made... love this. Waaaaaay more complicated than expected!!

[@alanhughes9075]

Loving this series steve. Keep them coming. Great relief in Lockdown

[@FlightChops]

Thanks, will do!

[@dalfry]

Unglued is a great word. Good luck un-glue-ing your head out of this experience. Its been 4 years and I still go back and look at the 5 days worth of footage I took with 3 Gopros during my Seaplane training in Alaska. You just feel like going back at the first opportunity to fly more.

[@baldk9]

The analogy of exiting the ramp too fast is a great way to get the feeling what a step turn must be like. Love this series!

[@alanluscombe8a553]

Idk how you dont have a million subs. Even people who know nothing of aviation love your videos when i show them.

[@alaskafender]

Welcome to Alaska :) I'm late, both to your video and your channel, but I've finally decided to pursue a private pilots certificate and found your channel. I had been intimidated from it for years, growing up and even through my early 30s, because I'd constantly hear about small plane crashes in our state, but finally decided I wanted to learn anyways. Finding your channel and seeing you up here has been like a sign :)

[@pappybo49]

Now THAT’S FLYING!! Way back inn the 70’s just before Mt St. Helens blew her top, I was scheduled to take a weekend float plane course w/checkout. But a family emergency came up and I had to leave, then St. Helens and I never made it back. Looking back, that wasn’t nearly enough time to schedule for a brick head like me. I really wish I could still fly so I could go to Ak like you and learn the proper way. I always enjoy your videos and will have to settle for the float 172 in X-Plane. I’m glad I let you talk me into it.

[@James5976]

'how do you know how much is too much?'... No response. Thank you for teaching us new things. Excellent episode. Too bad this series will be delayed. I want to see the next episode

[@FlightChops]

Haha - yeah - but to be clear, Martin did respond to that question in the plane at the time, but the same subject was covered better in the briefing, so that is why I cut straight to it. The answer was essentially - we will do lots of them and you'll get a feel for it. As for the series, yes - it is hard to do a lot of continuous episodes about one story when I have so many things on the go :). So think of it as multi tasking. I'll build a play list after this is done so it is available in order.

[@danielbasovitch5087]

You are a Natural ! Very enjoyable, I found myself banking in my seat while you were step turning like I was in there with you. Thanks for letting all of us fly Vicariously with you.

[@timleriche8497]

Steve, great stuff in this video. Over the last 6 years of float flying glassy water landings have been a definite need to know and utilize, but step turns are something I seldom use but need to work on. Thanks, and I look forward to more in this series.

[@DataRew]

Love seeing the Skymaster in the background of the briefing as well as the float maneuvers!

[@fordtechchris]

The things he's talking aboot with no brakes, and power to turn and porpoising I recognize from jet skiing. I hope to start this training this summer.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Fantastic steve. Fascinating couple of episodes. Really enjoyed learning with you.

[@canadjn]

Well done video. Glassy water is hazardous and takes concentration with proper technique. Lots of people get their float rating without encountering actual glassy water conditions.

[@davids.5722]

The attitude indicator is like "naaaah this is too much for me, I'll take a nap". Awesome video!

[@FlightChops]

Right?! (I honestly didn't even look at it for any of this flying :)

[@markespenant8023]

Step turns in a Lake are just plain FUN; you can throw the airplane around like a go-kart :).

[@joegremlin]

I've got two comments for this clip. First, I never had a desire to learn to fly floats and after watching this ,even though I now live on a property that could have a float plane tied up right in my back yard, I can confidently say my lack of desire to fly floats will NEVER change. I suspect that wasn't your intent but it is what it is. Floats are boats that are very unstable and not at all intuitive and I don't do boats under the best of circumstances so I sure as sh*t don't want to try it in an airplane.. Second, the majority of my minuscule 1700 or so hours is in Supercubs and in that time, I never once flew a Supercub that had all attitude instruments working properly. It warms my heart to see that you had a similar experience. If you needed that AH to work right, you probably shouldn't have been flying this sort of airplane in the first place IMHO. Still a great video even though I'll never try to learn floats. Keep up the good work!

[@IanHoyt]

25 minutes of my workday I don't mind missing.

[@FlightChops]

Happy to provide the diversion :)

[@TheyTookStrawb]

wait... you mean to say you weren't laid off?!?! WHAT?!?!?

[@stevewinwood3674]

how does your Boss feel about it? lol

[@IanHoyt]

Ema Nymton 🤫

[@waynedoeblin6801]

Lots of bravery doing the uncomfortable stuff,good onya for sticking with it champion 👍🙂

[@Jason-iz6ob]

You have a knack for finding outstanding instructors.

[@clementrono1478]

This is much amazing. You've now given me taste for flying this after I complete my Training. This will make it fun. Cheers!!

[@gabrielvazquez1691]

Who knew it would be so interesting to fly floatplanes. Thanks for bringing us this perspective, FLightChops

[@Tiwow]

Awesome! Can't wait for the next episode, this is surely one of the best series on the channel!

[@TheNippleTassle]

Great video. I had no idea that it could be that tricky! You've got another sub.

[@jeeeeeeees]

Oh, yes. Flightchops content to keep me happy until I can fly again :)

[@charboullaable]

I love all of your videos, I learn tons from your experiences, you make us become safer pilots. Keep it going! THANK YOU!

[@louisknapp265]

Great video. Thanks! Now you have me itching to do some more seaplane flying. For as long as I've been flying in Alaska I have an embarrassingly low amount of float time.

[@JoseRivera-lt2cc]

I could feel the anxiety. Good job working your way through.

[@TrentSiggard]

The shrug at 5:36 in regards to horse shoe lake was so funny to me. Great Episode!!

[@polishdrummer94]

This has reassured me of my dream of flying in the Great North. Can't wait for the next video!

[@dinozuzic1765]

Awesome video, amazing scenery. Very nice break from all the bad news in the world. I could watch your videos all day.

[@EllDub]

Loving the depth of this float series! Pun intended! Makes me wanna get some floats for the wee champ!

[@GAinAsia]

awesome instructor! I'm a CFI myself and he has mastered his trade.

[@danielmoss2394]

Man that’s tough. You did great, and a joy to watch.

[@hygri]

I'm sure it's terrifying but that step turn looks AWESOME on camera!!

[@brucehomstad5256]

Steve, this guy is great! Is he now booked out to 2035? I want him to teach me! Thanks for another fantastic vid.

[@CurtisOlson]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing this!

[@markcrothers3707]

What a great instructor. Awesome video!

[@lawnmart]

Lovin' the vid's. Can't wait for aviation to open up again so I can get my medical and start my training.

[@iflyc77]

I seriously plan to be first in line for this course once they start offering the BnB Adventure package type thing. This looks like way too much fun and the instruction is top notch and very much my style. Loved it!

[@ThaiFighterYT]

I love the Skymaster in the Background.

[@NoobTubez]

This stuff is amazing!! Thank you Mr Flightchops!!🤪

[@pieterkotze7728]

Steve, nice imagery, great series, thanks!

[@jonathanirons231]

Awesome film Steve!

[@peregrinussolutionsllc6010]

I really enjoy watching all of your videos, but this series is my favorite! Pure excitement & good times for me the entire episode :-) Please keep up the amazing work! You bring a great deal of enjoyment to a lot of people including me :-D

[@driftertank]

Lovin these videos. Can't wait to get up close on the Beaver.

[@theflyingfool]

Coooooooooool!!! Stay safe Flightchops!

[@MrWarwick15]

Excellent content! Thanks so much. Rich.

[@SVSky]

What a fantastic teacher he is. Now I want a seaplane rating.

[@beetotherizzad]

This was great! Such a good teacher!

[@flyingark173]

Awesome video and series, looking forward to the next one!

[@ZachTate]

Great series!

[@JustinBuckley-Given2Fly]

Woot! More FloatChops!

[@paulyoung181]

I felt like I was right there with you, EXCELLENT narration!

[@mflacke]

This is so great thank you for an awesome video!

[@WarlockAntaran]

I guess I was quick with this one, looking forward to the video.

[@geraldbartholomew9284]

Flying in the bush in Canada, I'm really enjoying these seaplane episodes! Looking forward to seeing you make that round sound on the -2!

[@korbike1]

Nicely done!

[@jonahsohmer9747]

Working towards my IFR after all the closures, and my dad says the greatest of part of flying is on floats. Great video and glad to see what he found so great about it!

[@alejandronovoa8188]

Amaizing instructor !!

[@dave2.025]

This series is great, thanks Steve! Hope to do this one day as well, looks like great fun!

[@FlightChops]

Go for it!

[@davidoickle1778]

Good stuff. Thank you!

[@1225drob]

This was a great episode

[@deanhowell6730]

That was Amazing Scary ,and Awesome!

[@kdkcphotos]

Awesome video!

[@skymaster71]

Nice looking skymaster beside you guys. Step turns are pretty cool.

[@towedarray7217]

Excellent video. In New England it’s the jet skis who want to buzz around you and gawk that make things really scary. You almost wish you had channel 16 radio contact with them to tell them to stay away. It can get really scary. This was really a beautiful and cool video.

[@downwindaviation8458]

Loving the content! I sure miss flying but this makes up for some of that missed air time! Keep it up... can’t wait for the rest of the series

[@downwindaviation8458]

Also amazing scenery

[@FlightChops]

More to come! I'll do my best to keep publishing awesome flying content while we're grounded. Luckily I have a LOT of footage that was filmed over 2018 / 2019 still to edit :)

[@f.dt.f3965]

@@FlightChops tx Steve!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ryanp6999]

So glad I found this channel. Some badass content!

[@FlightChops]

Welcome aboard!

[@benberg1809]

Noooooooooooooo! Not a break! We love this series and now you’ve got us hooked, we need to see the progression.

[@FlightChops]

Don't worry... it's a good spot to take a minute to get back to the RV-14 build and actually Martin has a lot to say about helmets - he is keen to have me publish the one about that. We'll get back to Alaska in June :)

[@benberg1809]

FlightChops Sounds like a plan, Love The Content!

[@jeremyraygor1918]

Just wanted to say how much I appreciate your content. Keep up the great work! Sorry we won't be able to to see the chops live at AirVenture this year.

[@kfarrel7]

The moose really made this for me haha!

[@jameslopez1315]

Nice flying!

[@woodey028]

The instructor is amazing

[@RoryOnAir]

This is a class series Steve. 👍

[@Echin0idea]

That step turn felt surprisingly familiar to me (a non pilot) from sailing small catamarans for years when I was a teenager.

[@ElAvionazo]

Great video as always! Everyone in Mexico is super excited on your release about GA flying in Mexico!!! Any idea of when you’ll be releasing the series?

[@francisconti9085]

Love your channel, helps me be a better RC airplane pilot, same physics, just tougher when you aren't IN the plane! I do ski flying in winter, lots of confined space flying/Bush flying with a nice 1.5 meter electric plane with flaps, behaves like a light wing loading plane like a Super Cub. Day, nite, WITHIN THE PLANE'S LIMITS & mine😎👍looking to successful application of physics for RC floatplane action!

[@JPH1786]

Can’t wait for more seaplane episodes!

[@jasonrwilkinson9216]

That looked difficult Steve and definitely looked like it was confusing your senses and natural tendency to flare for landing. Well done, it was great viewing and looking forward to seeing the next episode!

[@bobbonordenskiold939]

Very good. Tanks

[@f.dt.f3965]

looks like fun to me!!!!

[@pupplementarypupplements5804]

crazy how fast you're going

[@sebastiansund2949]

It looks like a lot of fun flying in Alaska

[@cameronmolt5649]

Cool stuff. Did my last xc solo today