Cool pics of Harvads water-skiing

Von Tonner · 06-07-08, 06:27 AM

Just one little ripple or downdraft - put your swim trunks on boys.

Early morning fishermen are treated to the spectacle of 4 T6 Harvad aircraft from The Flying Lions Aerobatic Team water-skiing across the Klipdrift Dam near Johannesburg South Africa.

Arnie Meneghelli from Academy Brushware, owner of the aircraft said: "What we did today I believe is a world first. It illustrates that South African air show pilots are amongst the best in the world"

This unusual act, approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority was meticulously planned and took place under the watchful eye of divers and paramedics that were on site.

Stealth Hunter · 06-07-08, 06:29 AM

That's a pretty dangerous stunt they're pulling there...

I've never understood why somebody would want to do something like this. I could understand aerial stunts, but skimming along the water? Pff. Seems like they've got a bit of a death wish.

Platapus · 06-07-08, 09:43 AM

I don't care how much planning you do, you can't predict the all effects of water hitting your wheels at that speed. That is pretty shallow water there. The margin of error is probably smaller than the variation of flying characteristics.

Looks like a pretty stupid stunt to me. Happy no one got hurt.....this time.

"What we did today I believe is a world first. It illustrates that South African air show pilots are amongst the best in the world".

There are old pilots
There are bold pilots
There are few old bold pilots

There is more to being the best than being lucky.

Schroeder · 06-07-08, 10:13 AM

Well, with the speed that an air plane goes this shouldn't be to difficult. It actually is like water skiing. At that speed the wheels are sliding over the surface of the water without descending (just watch ducks landing). That's the same effect that makes driving fast on a wet road so dangerous. The tires simply start to swim and are loosing contact to the ground.

Besides, aren't those pictures already more than a year old? I think I saw them already quite a while back.

Von Tonner · 06-07-08, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

Besides, aren't those pictures already more than a year old? I think I saw them already quite a while back.

Could be Schroeder, I received them in my email box a few days ago - but a few days ago or a few years ago they are still neat.

06-07-08, 06:27 AM	#1
Von Tonner Seasoned Skipper Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Africa Posts: 711 Downloads: 44 Uploads: 0	Cool pics of Harvads water-skiing Just one little ripple or downdraft - put your swim trunks on boys. Early morning fishermen are treated to the spectacle of 4 T6 Harvad aircraft from The Flying Lions Aerobatic Team water-skiing across the Klipdrift Dam near Johannesburg South Africa. Arnie Meneghelli from Academy Brushware, owner of the aircraft said: "What we did today I believe is a world first. It illustrates that South African air show pilots are amongst the best in the world" This unusual act, approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority was meticulously planned and took place under the watchful eye of divers and paramedics that were on site.

06-07-08, 09:43 AM	#3
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,361 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	I don't care how much planning you do, you can't predict the all effects of water hitting your wheels at that speed. That is pretty shallow water there. The margin of error is probably smaller than the variation of flying characteristics. Looks like a pretty stupid stunt to me. Happy no one got hurt.....this time. "What we did today I believe is a world first. It illustrates that South African air show pilots are amongst the best in the world". There are old pilots There are bold pilots There are few old bold pilots There is more to being the best than being lucky. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

06-07-08, 06:29 AM	#2
Stealth Hunter Silent Hunter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Y'ha-Nthlei Posts: 4,262 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	That's a pretty dangerous stunt they're pulling there... I've never understood why somebody would want to do something like this. I could understand aerial stunts, but skimming along the water? Pff. Seems like they've got a bit of a death wish.

06-07-08, 10:13 AM	#4
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	Well, with the speed that an air plane goes this shouldn't be to difficult. It actually is like water skiing. At that speed the wheels are sliding over the surface of the water without descending (just watch ducks landing). That's the same effect that makes driving fast on a wet road so dangerous. The tires simply start to swim and are loosing contact to the ground. Besides, aren't those pictures already more than a year old? I think I saw them already quite a while back.