How To Waterski An Airplane, and Why You Probably Shouldn’t

This is a video I had shot and edited over a year ago, then decided not to post it due to my letter of investigation from the FAA. I recently decided it was time to circle back to this topic. Apologies for the long and wordy video. Be safe out there guys!
Be my wing man and join in the adventure: goo.gl/sW5J5o
Support my channel by grabbing some merchandise: www.TrentPalmer.com
For more of my adventures follow me on instagram: / trentonpalmer
Facebook: / pilottrentpalmer
The Gear I used for this video:
Fuji X-T3 - amzn.to/2EE3WU7
The bendy tripod thing - goo.gl/n7wx14
My on camera mic - goo.gl/GNsHF6.

[@FlightChops]

Interesting to see this covered with such detail, and a good disclaimer up front.

[@islandfd3s]

About the only thing I didn't like was the "FAA says that any off pavement landing can be considered careless and reckless". This entire channel is doing stuff like that but they don't seem to mind. We've got seperate issues in canada too - I am studying for the PSTAR and it says that any recording of in flight radio communications is illegal, yet many channels (yours included) this is done all the time. Maybe we need some clearer, up to date rules so we can all be sure that we are staying legal.

[@Kevy_G]

@@islandfd3s The key in that legal speak is 'can be', they arent against off pavement landings when properly judged and fit for purpose but they need that legal interpretation area for the odd and unusual cases that are unduly reckless. Unfortunately that line will be constantly redrawn as more and more landings are made

[@jarodmorris611]

@@Kevy_G - and I hate the "can be" because it means that someone not in your cockpit with you is going to judge whether your actions violated the law.

[@JakesTheHake]

@@islandfd3s At least this person TRIED to assist in understanding the sense behind the rules. I'd say "big up" to that FAA official. I just can't understand why you'd get slapped with a book if you take a calculated risk anyhow. I know, highly debatable, but its about flying, not talking. Anyhoooo

[@kevinhorning3624]

stupid, i hope they cancel your insurance.

[@milanteubel8389]

Captain Sully has joined the chat

[@roberthaney4106]

Lol

[@joetexas1546]

Nice One!

[@abdulelahalfahd5094]

hahahahahahahaaahahaha

[@waynejones3428]

✈🌊 😁

[@danhillman4523]

Not quite. Still, kinda clever.

[@WiehlintheSky]

If you remove the context of this video (water skiing) this is a great conversation starter about personal minimums and comfort vs. experience in the airplane. I think that leads to a much bigger conversation about safety in the airplane. I like that you were willing to share this and actually discuss the topic. Even if it is a heated debate I think the overriding theme of this video is extremely valuable. Good video Trent!

[@FloridaLightSport]

Trent, as an active CFI, I can say you covered the bases very well. The subject of backcountry flying has seen a lot of focus in the last 10 years and the FAA is ill prepared to deal with the adventurists of aviation. When aviation was new it was common place for a pilot to assess a LANDING AREA and make their own judgments, but the technics for this are no longer taught in FAA curriculums as part of the pilots knowledge. That being said, you have to search hard to find instructors willing to teach the technics long used by barnstormers to criss cross our great nation. I applaud your vision to venture out and bring the camera as witness to the beauty beyond the pavement and hope you will continue to urge your followers to assess everything they choose to do with the FAA in mind. They are trying to catch up. The best way to do anything well is PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. Be careful out there and let me know when the 1200 hour BOGEYMAN spanks you. LOL It will happen.

[@jahnkaplank8626]

12:20 he finally starts talking about the FAA The golden rule regarding the FAA is this: They're not happy until YOU'RE not happy.

[@jeffreydancinger2875]

Same with any Government Entity. They won't be happy until everyone is limited to sitting in their easy chair just watching their T.V. or Computer all day long. Pretty much haven't gotten anything done this week because I've been binge watching Flying Cowboy Videos and looking up kit airplane dealers and prices.

[@ctsteve1967]

@@jeffreydancinger2875 Get a life Jeff

[@pentachronic]

😂😂😂

[@bumper4312]

And there's FAA Motto: We've upped our standards . . . now up yours!

[@kenheisner288]

Correct if your not doing anything just sitting at home your safe

[@JcXtreme72]

Trent, I don't think I've told you how awesome your intro is. The cinematography, the editing and especially the music. And it's the perfect length too. Not too long and not too short.

[@danastudley9582]

Hey Trent, did they provide copies of the "pictorial evidence?" I'm sure a shot of the # freedom fox waterskiing across Tahoe would look nice on the wall.

[@MyNathanking]

I don't know why Trevor Jacobs The Airplane-Crashing Asshole didn't think of trying to waterski an airplane --- or did he and I just don't know it yet?

[@Sebastopolmark]

"LIMITS" = that's it. Walk, drive, fly, ride "WITHIN YOUR LIMITS" VERY WELL SAID Trent! !! !!!

[@syitiger9072]

I usually ride above my limits so i can get better

[@GaryMCurran]

@@syitiger9072 BUT, that's also a risk that you're willing to take. You've done the risk assessment, and decided that it's okay. Now, I'm going to assume you're talking about a motorcycle, and maybe you're doing something like The Snake for your first time. Would you do it with a passenger, or would you ride solo? All part of the risk assessment. So, yeah, you can ride above your limits, but hopefully you've looked at all the possible outcomes.

[@syitiger9072]

Id do it solo and with good tires

[@alexmedved6205]

Always a good day when Trent posts a video 👌

[@PushbuttonFYM]

Thank you for the explanation. I have less than zero desire to do this myself, but I have always wondered about the actual mechanics behind doing it.

[@benevolentdictator2315]

Your style is so transcendental ...proximity flying eats up the buffer for the anomaly., but your speeds make it survivable...no riskier than motocross. This is the most intriguing flying I have ever seen as I am considering to awaken my dormant license and pursuing this skill set. Thanks.

[@timreicker7663]

Hi Trent, I can't imagine anyone being a hater of your channel, it is alwas professional, amazing footage, and most times pilots can glean a little more knowledge by watching you videos. Two thumbs up buddy, don't listen to the haters none of the rest of us do..

[@Jacobmettler88]

Great video Trent, one of the scariest things about flying in 2019 is knowing that nearly every single person you see has a high definition camera in their pocket and any mistake or use of grey area in the FARs can cost your ticket. Glad that you didn't lose your license over that deal. I think off-airport operations appear to be dangerous not only to the non-pilot but also to the pilot who's never even landed on a well maintained grass strip. You do a great job on your channel showing how safe and enjoyable it really is. Thanks to you and the flying cowboys for promoting GA in a recreational way.

[@thegentlecraftsman4764]

How is this kid promoting GA? By ravaging the environment in his wannabe cub? By terrorizing the geese and duck and wildlife streamside? You have no clue, If I was the FAA ( I'm just a 30 year commercial pilot with 11,000 hours and much of tha in the bush ) I'd would have grounded his ass for 5 years.

[@Jacobmettler88]

@@thegentlecraftsman4764 Thanks for the respectful comment from a real pilot.

[@1982mako224]

There is an old saying....."Don't be THAT guy" Gentle is "THAT guy". Good grief.......ravaging the environment??????? by skimming the surface of the water........Really???? I feel bad for the young people of today because of people like this.

[@willfox2121]

I honestly don’t think I ever clicked on a video so fast...

[@Blackperson1892]

right? haha

[@foryst]

I've never clicked on a video because of a notification until now lol

[@av8ir68]

Trent, love all your videos, and I appreciate that you are passionate about flying enough to be honest and let us know about things that FAA shakes their finger at and scolds you for. We all can learn from other people’s mistakes and become more knowledgeable pilots. Keep up the great videos!!!

[@OkFine1999]

I don't think I've ever seen you two so happy when sailing.... It's obvious that this catamaran is just perfect for the two of you.... Love the video, the love between you two and of course the sailing....God Bless!!!

[@gerritdykgraaf2570]

Yo Trent,, Very well thought out and the way you came across was very good!! You covered it all basically, and were good at portraying your thoughts!! What more needs to be said!! Don’t do it!! But if you are?? Be careful!! I love you like a brother!! Fly Low,,, Fly Safe,,, G-Man

[@brians2808]

FLY8MA did a video on this a while ago (since removed). I felt the risk discussion on that video was pretty unsatisfying, as he basically hand-waived any risk and even mocked future commenters about it. I really enjoyed this video, and your discussion of the risks of this was honest and balanced and good.

[@jimiemick]

I thought I had seen that, But could not find it (obviously as it is now removed) I'm a Heli pilot but, the discussion that Jon had brought up and how he went about it was great. I went to show it to some fix wing pilots but alas the video is removed.

[@fordtechchris]

Im not so sure about that guy.....

[@Av8or7]

Hi Trent, I liked your video on water skiing. I was taught by my instructor in a P.A. 18, he was acting as my instructor teaching off airport landings. We contacted the fisdo back when we had one, and they gave their blessing. He was also an air show pilot and he did a comedy routine. I was a commercial pilot with aerobatic experience. As an air show performer with a low altitude waiver you can practice, and or teach your act. When he did shows on the beach he included water skiing. Two things. We never did it during teaching in a place that a person would be close enough to film. Of course during the air show, his low altitude waiver, and the fact that the air show people were keeping the water around the air show free from boats and people, made it ok. When we practiced it, and when I now do it on my own, I am always aiming towards a landing spot that is legal to land on. We never had any problems with the FAA. Maybe their is a fine line between practicing to increase your skills and showing off. That is a concern of mine with your videos. As pilots we have trained and we know the risk. I hope someone doesn’t get hurt trying some of those things. You might want to include more cautious education in your videos as a whole, on the other hand will your explanation by way of education make you more liable if a newly minted Tailwheel pilot has an accident skiing using the information you provided?? I love your videos, I’m just looking out for you and the rest of the cowboys.

[@mikeday6303]

Beyond excellent Video Trent, highly informative, and personal.

[@WendelltheSongwriter]

The haters are boaters who can't fly their catamaran

[@vladimirkuryanov5242]

100%

[@reckemroysrc3764]

Maybe you should look at those racing cat's that Fly above the water on an air foil there faster than SHIT and flying. Hmm boaters do Fly 🤔

[@hobie1613]

Cats can sure jump, but I’m not sure about fly. Kinda ironic because my name is Hobie.

[@reckemroysrc3764]

@@hobie1613 look up team Oracle and tell me that's not flying a cat. 😎

[@reckemroysrc3764]

@@hobie1613 well do you have a different opinion now hobbie

[@jasoncarter7971]

Your operating handbook doesn’t say anything about landing anywhere because you fly an experimental. So according to that inspector, you would be careless and reckless for getting in an experimental which is clearly incorrect.

[@ericwilde3837]

my experimental home built plane;) handbook did say about where you should and shouldn't land it, it also states how fast you should be going when approaching the runway from above glide path for gentle landing and the top speed for landing flying cruising the stall speed heck it even tells you how long you can fly based on if you are flying tailwind or head wind and characteristics and specifics of the operation plane, I registered . I know because observation, my mechanic, and diagnostic equipment told me the details and I typed them into the handbook for my experimental aircraft.

[@jasoncarter7971]

@@ericwilde3837 Yes exactly "I know because observation, my mechanic, and diagnostic equipment told me the details and I typed them into the handbook for my experimental aircraft". That's a far cry from what a certified aircraft would need to go through to have the same content added to its handbook. I recommend Trent just write in his handbook that his aircraft is designed for water skiing and call it a day.

[@falcon7995]

Awesome video with great advice and explanation of the topic. You did an outstanding job of detailing the risk involved and the rules that apply while giving those who are going to go on and try it some helpful tips to potentially save them from catastrophe. I'm sure some will hate on you just because that's all some people know to do but ignore them and keep the great content flowing! Most importantly - have fun and fly safe!!!

[@AfricanFlightStar]

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing all this info, much appreciated. Fly safe!

[@shaunthedrone]

Thumbs up ere' from Drone Seekers - great video! Thanks for the share :)

[@rixtrix11]

Good tips and insight, Trent! I always wondered how it's not against the min AGL FAR to fly as low as depicted in many online videos, although as youngsters we did it all the time over the prairie and hills of western Nebraska, almost always with passengers, but in certified aircraft. As far as I know, there was only 1 report of a low flying aircraft turned in to the FAA at BFF in the early 1970's, which was probably a friend and I. It's a rural area with cropdusters flying around all summer long surrounded by endless prairie with homes and outbuildings miles apart. I guess people back then weren't so quick to report something that had nothing to do with them, unlike the present mindset. Keep sharing as you can; always interesting!

[@mytech6779]

Flight below 500ft is specifically allowed in sparsely populated areas, as long as the plane gets no closer than 500ft horizontally to any buildings, people or boats. however like so many things bureaucratic they fail to define the terms they use like "sparsely populated". The simple interpretation is that sparse is implied by the ability to be clear 500 feet horizontal on all sides, but this is up to individual interpretation.

[@rixtrix11]

@@mytech6779, thanks for the recap. It's been so long since I've flown I've probably forgotten most of what I learned about regs and such thru lack of use! It probably helped that we knew all the local FAA employees personally. I even worked with one of their wives while in college.

[@wynnfpv]

Great Video Trent! Thanks for sharing!!

[@bushman907]

shout out to the float guys in the video, love it. also super informative man, much appreciated. always fun river runnin and water skiing here in southeast ak

[@wadenulton9243]

Trent, I rarely comment on other people's videos, but I suspect that I'm a bit of a cowboy like you, and I do a lot of things you "probably shouldn't do". I think you handled this subject very admirably. There's GOING to be some Bozo who's going to try it, and because everyone is afraid to talk about it, Bozo will run the risk of serious injury or death because they are ignorant about the theory, and method of doing it. You did a great job of discussing the topic from an honest point of view. Our community is surprisingly small, and exceptionally gracious. I'm a low hours student who had the honor of flying from Portland to Palmer Alaska over a weeks time, (and documented it on KZbin, shameless plug) and I'm a big fan of your work. Having done it myself, I respect the amount of work it takes to film edit and produce the videos you do. KEEP UP TGE GOOD WORK!!!

[@gordonjohnston684]

I think it's just because he had a passenger? If its fun it's probably illegal like everything in life😥

[@wadenulton9243]

"THE" good work. 😳

[@ronbo747]

I used to barefoot water ski at 38mph on 2 feet, 40mph on one foot. Good example. Great video

[@thegentlecraftsman4764]

no not a good example...you're not going to kill ducks, geese, songbirds and fish with your barefoot water skiing. BIG DIFF>

[@ronbo747]

@@thegentlecraftsman4764 the video is not about killing anything, it's about the surface tension. WTH.... But, please do provide the example of birds, fish, ducks, ect being killed by airplanes watersking Lol.....

[@guylandia2150]

@@ronbo747 never mind him he's a land lubber and a troll, maybe even has a Bernie fixation.

[@jonathanloomis9348]

Always good to see you posting and giving us stuff to think about as well as a vid to watch

[@jonathanloomis9348]

I keep watching this video please don't give up on the adventure of what you do if I can find the money to learn to fly I am going to to in some small part because of you

[@14TheMoney24TheSH0W]

Thanks for sharing, gives insight of the the overall spectrum from the Backcountry fliers to the FAA.

[@LibertyPPG-]

The FAA will always err on the side of caution. Great video, as usual.

[@-_captain_lyle_-]

No one expects 91.119(a), or the spanish inquisition.

[@michaelrice500]

"I'm not wet yet!"

[@machinesandthings7121]

OMG, lol

[@guylandia2150]

Couldn't have summed it up better... Even if I had half a brain... lol pilot =Poor Intelligence Lots Of Training

[@tomcoryell]

Lol

[@FlyingJournalism]

@@michaelrice500 ha

[@ConanOfOz]

Really appreciate your honesty, humility and insights.

[@Mrsournotes]

Thx Trent. It’s fascinating to watch and hear about it firsthand from you.

[@ecase727]

Great video, its a hard lesson to learn, and the FAA new policy on compliance is good change for all or us. Having spent 30 years in aviation as a career and dealt a lot with the FAA I understand where they come from. First remember the FARs "define the minimum acceptable standard for the safe operation of aircraft and the protection of persons and property". Like most things every one of those rules came about because someone screwed up. You knew water skiing down the middle of an open lake with a passenger on board was not a good idea, but got talked into it. I have been there myself (well not water skiing) only to look back and go what was i thinking. Oh and that thing about landing anywhere but a paved runway is reckless (I have seen a lot of comments below on that) because its not in the manual. With out knowing the full story, I'll take a guess at the hint he was trying to give you. 91.9 requires you to have a flight manual, which includes performance data. 91.103(b) requires you to make use of this data on preflight. So look at your manual, you have new wings, and a new engine. Have you revised the manual performance data, and does it included data for turf runway (both short, long and wet grass) in there. You are a talented stick and rudder pilot, you know what the aircraft can do, don't give it up. But after the accident, it only matters what you can prove, if you have no data, its reckless.

[@guylandia2150]

And add water skiing data while you're at it! I hate having to play legal games..

[@ecase727]

@@guylandia2150 Yes it is a legal game, but you missed the point, there's more to it. If you flip the aircraft over in the long wet grass (or the lake) and injure (or worse) your self and your passenger. Its not the FAA you need to worry about, just tell them I've done it before, its fine. Its Morgan and Morgan, for the people! The FAA may take your license for being reckless, but Morgan and Morgan will take everything else. Sure, you have insurance, but that's not going to pay all your legal fees, and having to live with those choices. The rules are there to make you stop and think, remember someone already screwed up, which is why there is a rule. Don't be afraid, live your life to the fullest, just stop and think, what if.

[@wb6she]

Hey Trent, whatever flops your mop, looked awesome.. only good pilots do this and you nailed it!..thanks for sharing..

[@savannaswildnatureworkshop7810]

correction....only rich trust funder kids with parent purchased airplanes do this shit..the rest of us have to work for our airplanes and WE give a damn about the streamside wildlife habitat, which these little punks, clearly do not.

[@winkhvac62]

Another amazing video! Thanks for sharing!

[@divelizard1966]

Great advice always good to hear from past experiences Old an bold pilot's saying comes to mind

[@garyreed2206]

My interpretation would be if you had an engine failure while waterskiing, you would be unable to make an emergency landing. But then again, you could apply this to flying over any sort of unforgiving terrain. If you had an engine failure over dense forest or rugged terrain, you would not be able to make an emergency landing without undue hazard either. So, I guess any time a single engine airplane makes an overwater passage or flys over wild/rough terrain, they are in violation of Part A. In other words, its "Because We Said So".

[@gasdive]

I don't understand it, because the regulation is not undue hazard to yourself, it's undue hazards to others. If the engine quits you're ditching, but that's the same as if you're flying over a big lake at 500'. No hazard to bystanders.

[@1982mako224]

If you have an engine failure while waterskiing you are in effect already down so you would technically not need to make an emergency landing. You've in theory already landed.......but have simply not come to a stop. ;^)

[@julianbrelsford]

@@gasdive agreed, no hazard to anyone on the surface here BUT hazard to the passenger if there is one. I realize the regulation talks about "persons or property on the surface" though so in my personal opinion as a non lawyer it seems problematic to say it's relevant to "Trent went waterskiing with a passenger"

[@Bill-NM]

Re: Inspector: "careless and wreckless anywhere other than a paved runway because there is no data in the performance charts". I haven't flown in 10+ years, but I remember performance charts that referenced a grass runway...so off the top of my head, I'm not sure what the inspector meant. Example, 1978 C172: "For operation on a dry, grass runway, increase distances by 15% of the "ground roll" figure."

[@thomasgallagher6935]

How is this channel not huge? It should have at least 2 million. Maybe not a super popular subject, but not rare and definitely interesting. The videos are so well edited and he says everything so well while being humble about it.

[@philipabercrombjones]

Awesome Trent.......well done. Sharpens skills for sure

[@spaert]

Interesting and informative. I've always thought waterskiing is foolish and wouldn't do it myself, but I respect the rights of others who want to take the risk. But I admit if I were FAA, I probably wouldn't be very accommodating either. As I said, I've always thought it was a foolish thing to do. Although, to be fair, I don't fly risky but I do play pretty hard with my ATV's and such. So I guess we all choose where and with what we're willing to push our luck. I thought your points were well thought out and presented, and reasonable. Thanks for sharing!

[@wi11y1960]

Wow, people got bent out of shape about this? Youre an experienced pilot, you know the dangers. Keep up the good vids, looking forward to the house and runway updates. All good stuff. Gave the vid a like

[@robertlinke2666]

@Airstrip Kid the problem with that argument is the regulations apply to everyone. you can't make regulations for 1 type of person, but another set for a different type of person, that would be discrimination. and because of that, the regulations can't make exceptions between pilots who know their stuff, and those who don't drifting on an open road will get you fined, wether or not you are an experienced rally driver. same thing here i personally have no problem with it, if you know what you are doing. and trent does. the cowboy's all do i think.

[@vibratingstring]

@Airstrip Kid huh? Really? He had a passenger aboard!

[@xmlthegreat]

Look, if they don't go hard after people at the start, when the experienced pilots are the ones experimenting, and make an example out of their cases, then when the noobs and idiots start killing themselves and eventually causing real accidents, the FAA will get blamed. You know some moron will push it for views and thrills, and they'll plow into a boat or kayak or something, or they'll kill someone on shore, or any number of other things could happen. The FAA need to cover their bases. Unless there is a threat of action, no one will stop or listen to mere requests. The idiots who don't know their limits (unlike the guy who made the video) and don't understand physics, are the ones who ruin everything for everyone.

[@GaryMCurran]

@Airstrip Kid I'll agree with you, except on one point, and that's carrying passengers. You said, "if you know what your [sic] doing." The pilot may know what he's doing, but the passenger may not, and the passenger may not fully understand and recognize the inherent risks taken. Even if that passenger is another pilot, but who has never done waterskiing before.

[@xlc6691]

Honest yet vulnerable - brave talk, thumbs up.

[@iamnoone9498]

How can anyone hate your video’s?!! I’m always jealous but never hate the awesome fun you have! Keep them coming Trent. And thanks for taking the time to share.🍻

[@daemn42]

One little nitpick. You are not skiing on "surface tension". That term refers to the specific way that water molecules attract each other to minimize surface area. It makes a drop of water falling through the air stay "drop" shaped, and placed on a surface bulge up rather than spread out, a stream of water hold together, and some small insects can stand directly on top of the water without penetrating it. You can take the surface tension out of water, such as by adding soap, but it's still water, and you could still ski on top of it as you could any other liquid of similar density. You're skiing on Newton's 3rd law (equal and opposite reaction), and it works because the water is relatively dense and can't get out of the way quickly. Your tires are hitting the surface and it's hitting back. Regarding brakes. Many years ago I was watching one of the pioneering videos of super cubs landing on gravel bars in Alaska with water skiing approach, and that pilot said that he purposely applied brakes and kept the tires locked while skiing. His contention was that the speed differential between the tire's surface and the water is greater when the tire is not turning, and that by allowing it to rotate your'e lowering that speed differential, sort of like your upwind but downriver scenario (water moving with you). I'm also thinking that with a spinning tire you might get some Magnus effect, which pulls the water around the rear of the tire flinging it upward (as you say the struts get wetter). Any water that is thrown upward, is created by an opposing downward force on the tire.

[@jayphilipwilliams]

I was thinking the same thing. Thanks for posting this.

[@craigdowden4788]

Sooooo brakes on then?

[@vitamin350z]

Good video Trent. I can appreciate all of the scientific reasoning, and assessment of risk. P.S. upriver all day lol

[@stephen3792]

Trent, wonderful and informative video. This usually happens when we least expect, that’s life.

[@michaellock3619]

Great topic and thoroughly covered. Appreciate the content and it's delivery, keep it cool and within your ability.👍 Got it. Awesome video Trent and as always looking forward to seeing the next one. Hope you have a safe 4th my friend.

[@KenKneknaneek]

The good side of it is that someday, when you have an aircraft full of passengers, and the engine starts to die, and you are looking for a place to land in the northern bush of Canada, and spot a small area to land but too short before you hit the bush, you will be able to use a little of the water as your runway, get down safely and save the lives of all your passengers. There is a good side to every bad thing that happens in life. Happy Flying

[@DNModels]

Great! How many flight hours under your belt as of this video? And do you keep your license current with your aircraft or you fly other planes as well?

[@TrentonPalmer]

Hey Mitko, I think I am right around 850hrs, been flying for 4yrs already!

[@DNModels]

@@TrentonPalmer and what about the flight review? Do you do it on your Kitfox?

[@ungulate101]

As always...great video and advice. Thanks

[@Goodies1624]

Thanks for the vid, mate. Great info

[@Norfolk70]

What really concerned me was at 17:07 you said that they told you "landing anywhere but a paved surface can be considered careless and reckless." So they can claim a violation on you for landing on a grass runway???

[@henryfreund_]

Norfolk70 if you actually did harm to wherever you landed

[@Emeraude129]

That was my first thought !

[@DamnTrue]

If an inspector gets a wild hare and decided that the manner in which you did so was, in their opinion, careless and reckless....yeah.

[@AA5SA]

@@henryfreund_ always replace your divets.

[@AA5SA]

@@DamnTrue by that logic, and probably in actuality, an inspector could decide your choice of underwear was careless and reckless and violate you for it.

[@BenA-bu1cz]

You paid for it, you fly it, you be responsible, you have fun, you forget about those who are jealous of you. Keep them coming buddy. Say hi to Nick for me and we're looking forward in seeing him again.

[@rhkennerly]

Ben A1 he paid for it, he flies it, but if Trent is insured, his mistake runs up the insurance premium for the rest of us.

[@lukemaas6747]

Thanks for being upfront and honest

[@stephen5147]

Your videos are well done, and helpful. Thanks.

[@justingauche6475]

Inspectors are completely free to interpret the rules and regs however they want within reason, and there is very little recourse options an operator has to fight back, besides throwing many thousands of hard earned dollars at a possibly never ending Cort battle against the faa with unlimited resources. Hold fast trent! Don't let the paper pushers keep you down.

[@willymakeit5172]

Oh boy, where to begin. First, before I tell the story, I’m an old dog -CFI, instrument instructor, and multi-I. I had no idea you young guys were doing this. In 1978 when I got out of the army, I went to work as ground crewman for a crop duster. His personal plane was a PA-16 Piper Clipper, a sweet little airplane. Before the season started we flew down to Florida and he demonstrated this technique. Somewhere I have pix buried in my junk. He used it as practice for spraying crops. He was also an insane drunk as was the business owner. We all survived the season and I learned to fly tail wheel with him. I got my private ticket in Athens, GA at Clark’s Flying Service. Mr. Clark drilled into my skull: “There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but there are no old-bold pilots.” Guys, unless you have a real operational need to do this, don’t do it. Then only learn it from some graybeard. Keep the greasy side down.

[@markoda8455]

Nice information and very good advice. Something that I won’t ever do but I do find it interesting to watch the pros do it

[@Blackevo9]

Great video mate. Covered all the important points.

[@SmittySmithsonite]

Looks like a ton of fun ... but I'd be that guy that was just as lucky as you to have an inspector right there! I've been riding motorcycles just about 30 years now, and I've lost count of the number of times people have told me I was going to die doing this or that. Very true - risk assessment is different for everyone ... even the police. 😂

[@CaptainScarlet1961]

Yeah' man me too, I like doing wheelie's cos it's cool & I get told I'm gonna get killed or crippled etc Yadda Yadda Yadda! It's always by people that have never ridden & don't understand even basic physics they're just hater's because they're sad😂 I don't fly planes but I understood exactly where Trent was coming from, I follow his Chanel because he post's awesome content accompanied by awesome music & has introduced me to the awesomeness that is DRAGO .... Keep up the great view Trent👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@deldridg]

I ride too and take my 8yo son away for weekends on it. Boy do I cop it for bad parenting (by the same parents who give their kids unfettered use of devices and are producing overweight, disconnected and bored kids... I could rave for hours on this!). How often do you hear "it's not you - it's the other guy"?? If I had a dollar... :-)

[@jarodmorris611]

The way most laws are written now (in my opinion) are unconstitutional because they're vague and open to interpretation and subjectivity, which leaves people unsure if their actions will violate the law. And so many laws are what I call "add on" laws where they'll never be enforced unless you do other things wrong. I'm an attorney and have been practicing 12 years in Oklahoma City and have dealt with the FAA on a few issues but it's not my practice focus.

[@jayphilipwilliams]

Great comment. Probably 90% of our federal government is unconstitutional. Just compare the enumerated powers against the myriad government agencies and all the regulations created by bureaucrats (as opposed to laws enacted by congress, many of which are still unconstitutional--i.e., illegal).

[@cameronnerdin4910]

This is sooooo, true. I filed for an annulment from a wife who married me for the money and when I paid her debts off, she jumped on a plane back to Taiwan never to return. Fraud all the way. Well In Nevada Civil Rules of Procedure are written so poorly I cannot even serve her legally and binding as per treaties and the Hague Convention. So I have had to write motion after motion to correct their poor legislative fopaux. 3 years and I am still not done because Judges don't want to make the tough decisions.

[@9neil]

Jarad...Give Tom our regards from new Zealand.

[@taggartlawfirm]

CAMERON NERDIN come to Texas, we do annulments by alternate service all the time. 😎

[@Winging-it-1000]

Very interesting subject and I have always wondered how to do it and what the reasons are to do it. Love the discussion and look forward to the next video!!

[@_Sweet_Pete]

radical man! stay groovy and keep on pushing the limits of aviation!!

[@craigslist04]

Flying in general "can be considered careless and reckless". Life, in general, can be considered careless and reckless. Those FAA inspectors are probably nose wheel drivers that always use flight following for their $100 hamburger flights....

[@mannypuerta5086]

Whether you self-evaluate an operation being safe or not, keep in mind that everyone has a camera these days and the FAA is the sole judge of the catch-all regulation of careless and reckless operation.

[@alexanderwalley2639]

The first self appointed police man!! Congrats!

[@colinthepilot]

Great video! I'm not a back-country pilot, nor a tailwheel pilot (yet) but the enforcement action discussion reminded me of some advice I got from an old crusty Air Force Pilot. He told me when I think I'm doing something dumb, write the first line of the incident report in my head. Usually we read, "the non instrument rate pilot continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions...." Something like that. In 18 years of civil and military aviation, that thought has kept me safe. I've taken some risks, especially in my military career, but they were always thought out, calculated, and done with a plan. The worst I can say I've done as PIC is returning from my PPL Checkride in 2003, I requested a circle over my parents' house. I was with tower, at least 1500agl; not "buzzing," but low enough that they heard me and came out on the deck to see me. I'd do that again, but I'm overall pretty risk-averse.

[@vrdrew63]

Always love your videos, Trent. Fascinating topic. And one I greatly appreciate you talking about. Looking at *just* the videos, to my (totally) ignorant eye it did seem like water-skiing an airplane was an excessively risky manoeuvre. Taken in light as a technique to safely reduce airspeed when landing on a river sandbar? A legitimate and potentially useful skill. Big picture: I think we can all be appreciative of the FAA and the manner in which they work with the general aviation community in a reasonable and safety-focused manner. To keep our flying friends safe, as well as those of us still on the ground (or water.) Kudos to Trent for having the courage to share his experience, and to own up to his mistake.

[@samhiatt]

"So no waterskiing for me." ... Yeah, right. ... Now I want to see a video of you actually waterskiing, like behind a boat in a swimsuit, just to stick it to the FAA.

[@dhuntsmith]

Excellent amateur analysis. Your bravery and retrospection add value to the general aviation community. Blessings 🙏🏻💕😇 :{D}

[@higgydufrane]

Thanks Trent, great video...

[@tailwheelpilot1234]

This is a very good video, and the best part, IMO, is the advice to be proficient in wheel landings. I can speak to this, since I have almost 50 years of tail wheel flying, in my C140 and C120. As an aside, in all of my landings, I am focused on keeping the plane straight down the runway, maximizing rudder control. Remember, Rudder for heading and Aileron for course. I've never ground-looped; I've never even been close to doing so, and don't ever intend on doing so. Be confident in your landings in a tail wheel airplane, whether it be wheel landings or three-pointers, be aggressive, don't be wishy-washy with the rudder.

[@Creeperownr]

If landing 'anywhere but a paved runway' is 'careless and reckless', has the FAA ever heard of a seaplane? No less, have they heard of any grass strip ever? How about most of Alaska? And of course they get you for going fast over water after briefing the risks and what to do in an emergency with your passenger, as opposed to slowing to land.

[@SixStringflyboy]

I don't think they have issue with landing on grass. They're not saying it's reckless in and of itself. They're just saying his Kitfox doesn't have the performance numbers for anything other than asphalt in the POH, which if true is a major oversight for a company that sells bush planes.

[@stevek7649]

n122vu just an FYI, the builder of the kit is the “manufacturer” of the aircraft, not the kit provider. The builder is the one that gets the airworthiness certificate from the FAA after completion of the build. He/she is also responsible for writing the Pilot’s Operating Handbook for that particular aircraft after completing the mandatory test flight phase of usually 40 hours. No two completed experimental aircraft are exactly alike due to engine choices, propellor choices and installed equipment , even if both are from the same kit supplier. All weigh and perform slightly different from each other hence aircraft specific P.O.H.s must be forever attached to the aircraft they were written for. Hope this very brief explanation helps folks understand the origination of P.O.H.s for an experimental built aircraft. Thanks n122vu. I hope Trent inspires you and many more of his wingmen and women to join us in the skies.

[@fiveoneecho]

Your story of being violated and my experiences with the FAA really just pisses me off..... Edit: I had to wait a year to renew my medical certificate (no flying for A YEAR) because of a medical condition that I DON’T HAVE. The FAA decided to interpret the doctor’s evaluation that said there was nothing out of the ordinary (they always read it back to me) in their own way and then ignore two follow up letters that my doctor and I wrote. You just kind of have to go with their narrative, but damn I’m still a little annoyed by the fact it happened.

[@jimiemick]

Been there done that, I was grounded in Australia by CASA for 1year due to being put on a medication for a medical condition. The amount of reports and BS i had to go through to get my medical sorted was a joke. Even though the condition had no effects on my flying, and neither did the medication.

[@pvtdipwad2944]

Todd m You could take ibuprofen for a headache and the FAA would beat you over the head with a stick.

[@MrFreakRite]

@@pvtdipwad2944 is it the ibuprofen or the headache that they consider the problem? New to aviation, just curious.

[@pvtdipwad2944]

Ozzy Chappell The ibuprofen. Obviously just joking, but they seriously regulate any type of meds due to the IMSAFE acronym. Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion/Eating. You want to make sure all of that is in the green before you go fly. In terms of a headache, it could be a variety of things, but if you're new to flying, a headache can distract you from what's important in the cockpit. Basically if you're safe, you shouldn't need meds. That's my take from it anyways.

[@thebanksfilms4426]

Been there still there lol my medical was revoked with a month of getting my PPL due to meds..haven’t been able to get it back in 8 years because of SSRI’s.

[@francoisbuys1126]

Very honest and to the point message. Godspeed!

[@VentShop]

It sucks that they are unable to give you a definite answer on water skiing in open water but I can kinda understand. But I can see the reason for the sanction on open water. When you are coming in to land if you do mess up and the wheels sink under water you are so close to shore that even if you do flip you will likely not sink completely. On a lake that could be a couple hundred feet the same can not be said. If you are by yourself and not risking another person you are only taking your life and your property into your own hands. That comes around to if you own it you can do pretty much anything you want with it as long as you do not attempt to make money off of destruction. For instance near where I live a woman killed her children in a house and wounded another. She is in jail and the house was owned by her brother. Her brother burned the house down, it was perfectly legal to do as he owned the house and didn't try to claim insurance on it's destruction. If you are water skiing and wreck the plane I would absolutely NOT try and file an insurance claim on it as you made a decision to do something that was hazardous because it will almost be guaranteed to be reported to the FAA for an investigation and end up with violations as well as possible fraud charges. It's kinda like driving a vehicle when committing a crime, if you look in your insurance policy there is a section that will state that the insurance is invalid during the commission of a crime. So if you are blatantly speeding and hit another car and it is your fault the insurance company can actually deny the claim and leave you on the hook for it. The same goes for your health insurance. To add to that on health insurance they can also deny claims when you are performing reckless acts. Makes you think twice about stepping out your door in the morning. Sorry for the long post btw and thanks for the video's Trent, my wife and I really enjoyed watching a lot of them before she passed away. www.hayesfh.com/obituary/shauna-marie-gill

[@mytech6779]

What you call surface tension is not at all surface tension. The correct term is dynamic pressure and is a totally different physics issue.

[@pjsmith6954]

MyTech Yeah, had me wincing too, but used as a colloquialism it got the point across-albeit at the expense of propagating a common misconception about surface tension. To be fair though, I didn't know what the correct term was (aside from planing) even though I've taught intro physics for years. I knew it had something to do with impulse/momentum but don't have enough experience with fluid dynamics to get further (without hitting up wikipedia).

[@NitroGuyJH]

I know several people that confuse dynamic pressure with surface tension. Dynamic pressure increases with increasing velocities and is affected by way too many variables to list. Surface tension doesn’t. Their respective properties are close but totally different.

[@sblack48]

He did say he was not a Physicist

[@sblack48]

I personally don't see any practical application for water skiing. But then there isn't much practical application to flying around in a kitfox either. You do it because it's a blast. I would try waterskiing if I had the right airplane. And landing on a grass strip is wreckless flying? That's hilarious. I guess that FAA guy has never seen any back country flying where you guys land up hills, on top of hills etc etc. He probably flew cessnas out of a big airport and anything else frightens him. Total disconnect from reality. So are all these alaskan dudes with videos of them landing on the water next to sand bars going to get letters from the FAA? Even the Anchorage FSDO would probably piss themselves laughing at that!

[@glassdogangle]

I was cringing as well. Surface tension? Lol. Especially after the preamble about how he was going to discuss the "physics" of how the stunt works. Someone didn't pay attention in an actual physics class. Good video though. I would never jump a motorcycle over 25 buses, but I certainly will watch someone else do it on my computer screen. It's fun to watch other people to crazy shit.

[@darkwarrior2383]

Good job Trent. Don't the haters bother you. I have been a pilot for years, and this is something that could help you in a pinch type situation. It never hurts to know this stuff. Thanks for the video! Keep up the good work!!!

[@charlesgreen7998]

Always an awesome video from you!

[@mikejackson3564]

You’re right! Walking out the door is dangerous....going back to bed and watching KZbin videos for the rest of the day

[@maleficentcop2752]

I'm with you Mike.... Popcorn first.... LoL

[@StanBarankiewicz]

I love this type of vid because you are sharing your experience that others can benefit from. I believe it to be untenable for FAA to claim that landing off airport is careless and reckless because there is no POH performance information for doing so. I'm an aviation attorney and would be ecstatic to fight them on that one!

[@lancem87]

Stan Barankiewicz according to the FAA, a C-17 landing on a gravel strip is reckless and dangerous! What a joke 🤣

[@adamr9215]

Stan Barankiewicz Contact him and get it done. Their laws are inconsistent and contradict themselves. Their rules require the shutting down of all rescue flights and all bush flying. They need o be prosecuted until Trump fires some trash.

[@oldeyeball]

WOW, what a case of CYA! Nicely done.

[@chrisbarnes8887]

As an electrician this all sounds much like what I have dealt with before in that it’s all up to the interpretation taken by the inspector. Glad you didn’t get in more trouble and continue to rock on. Love your videos.

[@bgpwrddy]

always carry a Code Book and know how to find sh..tuff in it : ) and never take short cuts...

[@gralexp590]

Words of wisdom Trent... the more I watch your videos, the less you and the flying cowboys look like the flying circus I imagined in the beginning ( yes, that’s a compliment 😂) . The way you fly is awesome but inexperienced pilot should take example of your analysis and risk mitigation instead of thinking that what you’re doing is just fun and easy to shoot at home with their GoPro. Keep the blue side up and long live your amazing channel ! Alex (France)

[@joesliger1633]

How much does ground effect come into play?

[@FPVREVIEWS]

Same as over land, depends more on the airframe.

[@HesGotWatsky]

This was awesome. Seems like a tough one to go out and publish but comes across as a really well considered and all encompassing discussion on the topic.

[@mikewhite2831]

Nice recap Trent always good content .

[@adzythepwcblokeinaustralia5467]

Dirt bike riders can ride over smooth water if you go fast enough ! It’s a skill like any other skill .

[@eternalfire1244]

Guys up in my neck of the woods do the same with snowmobiles. I remember one spot where there was (as I remember) a 15-20 ft patch of clear water and a huge number of tacks on either side because the locals would use it as a shortcut.

[@FPVREVIEWS]

Absolutely right about Probably Shouldn't. That being said, LIVE FREE OR DIE Nobody should be able to tell you how to live your life. Liberty means having freedoms, but not infringing on other's freedom. As long as you're not stopping someone else from enjoying their freedom, the FAA should not tell anyone what to do.

[@rhkennerly]

FPVREVIEWS yeah.. all freedom, no responsibility. Yet every LSA wreck runs up the insurance premium on the rest of us. But man, aren’t you free.

[@FPVREVIEWS]

what part of not "infringing on other's freedom" did you not understand? Personal Freedom means Personal Responsibility. @@rhkennerly

[@jayphilipwilliams]

Outstanding comment.

[@rhkennerly]

FPVREVIEWS and personal responsibility means following the rules you agreed to follow. Personal responsibility is what Trent is doing now: accepting responsibility for his actions. We have a long history in the aviation community of publically discussing our errors, lack of judgment, & questionable calls openly & without rancor in hopes that others will learn from them. The earliest flying magazines I remember had columns titled, “I learned about flying from that.” They also featured NTSB & FAA reports on accidents, where every aspect of an incident is evaluated by the magazine staff writers.

[@FPVREVIEWS]

@@rhkennerly Very true. A well informed decision is essential to making the right one for you. The issue here is someone else saying they know better than you do what is right for you, regardless. How would you like it if someone decreed that aviation was dangerous, and we should all take buses? I think we can all agree that water-skiing is the wrong decision for 99 percent (or more) of pilots, and it's a great thing that we have lots of reports to read about it, to remind us of just why it's not a good idea for us. But if we learn gradually, analyze all of the risks, and decide to give it a try, who are we hurting? That being said, It's the wrong decision for me, and i have no desire to see most pilots try it, but I will stand up for anyone's right to do it if they decide to. If everyone never did anything with an element of risk, our species would not exist. It will require an insane amount of risk by at least a small number of individuals in the future if we are to survive as a species as well. Think of the risk of flying the shuttle/orbiter for all those years.. lives lost, but we learned form it, accepted the remaining risk, and forged ahead. Today we have ISS because of it. Being too risk adverse leads to stagnation.

[@Odan6969]

Another great informative vid, keep it up bro

[@jairpark3241]

I got a lesson on 119 a from my FAA examiner during a check ride, he explained that when flying over water you must be able “glide” to land in the event of a power unit failure unless you have floats. Different aircraft glide ratios = different safe altitudes. This conversation took place over the Great salt lake, in a Schweitzer 300c. They drop like a rock so it was pertinent information lol.

[@JustPlaneSilly]

I'm so doing this!

[@travisweide9071]

Pretty sure the cirrus has a button for it

[@alabastardmasterson]

"My buddy" flew for 24yrs without a license. Bermuda, Bahamas, lunch 200m away. FAA took his dad's license away bc of a 3rd party video on Facebook. He was pissed

[@ellenorbjornsdottir1166]

fuck me, why?

[@michaelstern1945]

Will enjoy your channel without water skiing you bring a lot of joy to arm chair pilots😊

[@boosted242]

Hey dude! Thanx for that! I was wondering about the forces involved in water skiing for a while. That's very interesting! Cheers! ;)

[@sophiejaysstuff4026]

Before everyone had cameras (cell phones) we could do fun stuff.