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• Lake Whatcom 2023 Splash In

  • When
    11 Jun 2023
  •  
    11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    Floathaven Seaplane Base, 0W7, Lake Whatcom, WA

  Register

  The Washington Seaplane Pilots Association and Lake Whatcom Seaplanes is hosting a pop-up splash-in at the Floathaven Seaplane Base, 0W7, on Lake Whatcom on Sunday, 11 June from 11:00AM - 3:00PM.

  • Lake Whatcom Seaplanes and WSPA will be hosting a burgers and brats lunch
  • Coffee, water, and sodas will be provided
  • Lunch will be at the Floathaven hangar starting at 1230
  • Feel free to drive-in if you are unable to fly in (2890 Older Lane, Bellingham, WA 98229)
  • Use 122.90 on approach and departure from Lake Whatcom.
  • See attached aerial Image for docking/ramping locations.
  • The Floathaven ramp is suitable for high wing amphibs only. Low wing aircraft will need to anchor. A skiff will be available to shuttle from anchored aircraft to the Floathaven dock.
  • Observe Invasive Species Guidelines below. Inspect plane before arrival.
  • • WSPA will handle the requested AIS reporting for you.
  • Fly Quiet. Dial That Prop Back unless you really need all those RPMs.
  • Be Safe and Have Fun.
  • Please RSVP so we can plan food quantities

  There will likely be a few impromptu talks and “hangar flying”. There will certainly be lots of good seaplane chatter. Come & Enjoy. We have invited Tegan Ward, Aquatics Invasive Species Coordinator for the City of Bellingham, to give WSPA an update on the AIS program for Lakes Whatcom and Samish.

  There are lots of other seaplane accessible destinations in the area that you might consider working into your plan for the day. Take a look at our Destinations Map by clicking this link.

  Questions? Contact Don Goodman, 360-303-7076, donaldjg56@gmail.com

  See you Sunday, 11 June!

  
  

  LAKE WHATCOM AND LAKE SAMISH, WASHINGTON - AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES OPERATING AGREEMENT

  In January 2015, WSPA and the Lake Whatcom Management Team (administratively led by the City of Bellingham) concluded negotiations on a cooperative agreement relative to aquatic invasive species (AIS) and seaplane operations on Lakes Whatcom and Samish. A synopsis of the agreement is as follows: 

  • All pilots operating on either lake will:
  • • View the seaplane AIS training video at:  https://www.seaplaneaistraining.com/ 
    • Complete the video quiz and receive a certificate of completion
    • Carry a copy of the Cooperative Agreement and pilot completion certificate onboard the aircraft
  • In addition to the above, pilots operating Resident Seaplanes (a seaplane based at either lake), will have the aircraft inspected by City inspection staff and purchase an annual AIS permit ($50) which shall be affixed to the aircraft or carried onboard the aircraft.
  • The City is requesting pilots voluntarily submit a periodic report of operational activity on either lake including landings on water bodies other than Whatcom and Samish. 
  • Additional requirements exist if the aircraft has operated from a water body known to be infested with Quagga or Zebra mussels.

  Again this year the City of Bellingham is requesting that any pilots/owners with seaplanes based at Lake Whatcom or Lake Samish make an appointment with inspection staff to get their planes inspected and permitted for 2022 by calling (360) 778-7975. 

  WSPA is encouraging local pilots to make visiting pilots aware of this cooperative agreement. The risk of AIS introduction into our local lakes is real and we all want to enjoy and benefit from continued floatplane operations on Lakes Whatcom and Samish. For more information on AIS floatplane ops on Lake Whatcom and to read the Cooperative Agreement, visit the link provided here. https://whatcomboatinspections.com/seaplane-pilots

  Don Goodman
  WSPA - Secretary

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• 2023 WSPA Tanglefoot Splash-In

  • Start
    23 Jun 2023
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • End
    25 Jun 2023
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • Location
    Tanglefoot Seaplane Base, D28, Coolin, Idaho

  Register

  
  

  It’s that time again! You are cordially invited to our 2023 Washington Seaplane Pilots Association (WSPA) annual splash-in at Tanglefoot Seaplane Base on Priest Lake. 

  Situated in lovely Cavanaugh Bay, our gathering will be held once again at Tanglefoot Seaplane Base (D28), home to Loel and Olson Fenwick. The base features docks, beach, and ramp space for both straight floats and amphibious aircraft - and, the recent addition of a new “pick up” float truck makes ramping easy for pilots on straight floats. For aviators on wheels, the Cavanaugh Bay Airstrip (66S) is located next door. Accommodations at both the airstrip and seaplane base include camping with restroom facilities. Since most of you will be camping, we encourage you to bring warm clothes for the evening hours. A headlamp will be helpful when traveling between venues and on site after dark.

  We have historically had a great response to the event and anticipate this year the best turn out yet! For those who have attended in the past, we look forward to seeing all of you again. This year, we are charging $120 per person for members and their guests, and $135 for non-members and their guests. The fee includes camping, an event t-shirt, and all meals throughout the weekend. 

  Event Sponsor

  We are pleased to announce that Aerocet is our event sponsor once again this year. Their sponsorship helps to cover the cost of event t-shirts, ice, the event banner, and event support staff, among other things. If you come across their folks during the weekend, please extend your thank you for their efforts and commitment to our organization and this event. 

  Event Details

  This event brings seaplane pilots from all over the Pacific Northwest! Arrivals begin at noon on Friday and departures wrap up around noon on Sunday. Throughout the weekend, we have a dedicated air boss and volunteer wing walkers available to coordinate arrivals and ensure a safe and incident-free ramping experience. 

  As an attendee, you will be required to execute two agreements pertaining to the event: The first is the “Agreement to Assume Risk of Injury and Release of Claims.” The second includes the WSPA “Waiver of Liability.” Registrants can access these documents online by clicking this link, or scanning the QR code below:

  
  

  We ask that you complete the waivers before arriving at Tanglefoot. All pilots and their guests must have signed them in order to attend. If you incur any challenges accessing the documents, we will have iPads available on site to help you through the process. 

  The Washington Seaplane Pilots Association (WSPA) will be providing meals throughout the weekend. Dinner on Friday and Saturday nights will be catered by Millie’s on Priest Lake. Friday evening will include burgers and brats with sides and dessert, and Saturday will include pulled pork and chicken sandwiches with salads, sides and dessert. Breakfast Saturday and Sunday will consist of a number of usual breakfast foods, including freshly cooked eggs, pancakes, and sausage, cooked by your Board of Directors!

  Special Guests and VIPs

  Friday evening, WSPA Board Secretary, Don Goodman, will deliver an illustrative presentation highlighting an ambitious single-day trip throughout the Pacific Northwest. 

  Saturday morning will feature a safety seminar, and a safety briefing regarding our splash-out to Mosquito Bay for lunch.

  We are excited to announce our keynote presentation Saturday evening will be delivered by Tom Hamilton, Founder and President of Aerocet. Tom has a long history of innovation in aviation as past co-founder at Stoddard-Hamilton Aircraft and is a leader in the aviation industry. The theme of his talk will be, “What works - Float designs to plane designs.”

  Finally, we would like to thank Olson and Loel Fenwick for the gracious opportunity to once again utilize their private residence and grounds for this fly-in. This is truly a unique spot on earth and to show our appreciation, we would encourage you to practice “Leave No Trace” camping and respect for their personal property.

  Arriving and Departing

  • Arrival and departure frequency: Cavanaugh Bay Area Traffic Unicom 122.9.

  • Once on the water, 122.9 for mooring and ramping instructions. 

  • Please practice safe piloting.

  • Please land outside the water buoys around Blue Diamond Marina, which is just north of D28. 

  • Upon departure, please reduce RPM’s for noise abatement.

  Volunteers Needed

  No doubt some of you will be drafted or may just be inclined to help with meals and cleanup, which will be sincerely appreciated. For information on how you can help out, please contact Don Goodman, (360) 303-7076 or donaldjg56@gmail.com.

  See you Soon!

  This should be a fun event and we look forward to seeing all of you. If for any reason you encounter difficulty in getting to the splash-in or have a change of plans, kindly notify Amy Fenwick (562) 508-7939 or amykfenwick@gmail.com.

  Agenda

  Friday, June 23^rd

  12:00 PM      Noon-to-sunset arrival (sunset is set for approximately 21:10)

  6:00 PM         Social hour and grill out to follow

  7:00 PM        "Water flying to all 39 Counties in Washington State" - Don Goodman

  Saturday, June 24^th

  7:30 AM         Breakfast at the hangar (provided)

  8:30 AM         Safety Seminar: "Surviving a Seaplane Accident/Incident" - Chris Popov, FAA Safety Team Representative. Note: WINGS Credit will be available. Register online in advance of the meeting and be sure to sign in at the event.

  9:15 AM         Mandatory Pilot Safety Briefing - Splash-out to Mosquito Bay, review of ground operations and procedures for marshaling aircraft to launch (Stuart Fenwick, Jack Jacobson)

  10:30 AM       Build your own sandwich and snacks (we supply the fixings)

  11:00 AM       Fly-out to Mosquito Bay on NE Priest Lake

  11:00 AM - 2:00 PM       Lunch at fly-out location

  4:00 PM         Hosted social hour at the Fenwick residence
  

  4:30 PM         Loel & Olson Fenwick - Welcome to Tanglefoot

  5:30 PM         Dinner (smoked pork and chicken with sides and dessert) at the hangar

  7:00 PM         Keynote Speaker: Tom Hamilton, Aerocet, Inc. “What works - Float designs to plane designs.” Introduction by Matt Sigfrinius of Aerocet.

  Sunday, June 25^th

  8:00 AM        Breakfast will be provided at the hangar with sandwich fixings for your trip home. Departure at your convenience.

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