We put out a call for seaplane stories to our readers. Here’s one from Doug Robertson: I chartered this de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver N4444Z on straight floats from Rust’s Aviation at Lake Hood Seaplane Base in August 2007. The photo (below) taken from copilot seat shows us rolling out on final for landing at LHD.
Van was my experienced smooth pro pilot who did a wonderful job demonstrating all forms of requested seaplane landings and takeoffs at a number of different wilderness lakes north of LHD and ANC.
The ANC tower can be seen on far left, controlling ANC, LHD and the Lake Hood gravel strip Z41. I recommend Rust’s superb experience for just a Private ASEL Pilot since 1966.
A number of other photos of both LHD airport and of the N4444Z flight are on Airport-Data.com under my name there. Have a look!
N4444Z is also featured on the paper flyleaf cover of the book BUSHPLANES by Geza Szurovy.
Fond memories. In 1960, I flew out of Lake Hood and Lake Spenard going for my float rating. The Tower at that time was on the south side of the canal next to the gravel strip that ran parallel to the canal. My instructor was Ruth O’Buck with Barton Aviation. Their float operation was located on the southeast side of Lake Hood. I flew a couple of Super Cubs and if it was busy, went over to Figure Eight Lake for practice. Again, fond memories so many years and hours ago.