Historic aircraft splash in to Clear Lake

Herb Lingl flying his Taylorcraft BC-12D on Edo 1320 Floats at the 2025 Clear Lake Splash-In. (Photo by David Noland)

The 2025 Clear Lake Splash-In featured an impressive gathering of unique aircraft, industry experts, and enthusiastic participants.

Billed as the “The West Coast’s Premier Seaplane Gathering,” the Splash-In was held April 25-27, 2025, at Skylark Shores Resort in Lakeport, California.

A variety of seaplanes flew in for the 2025 Splash-In. (Photo by Herb Lingl)

Among the Splash-In’s highlights were two vintage amphibious aircraft from Arizona: Tod Dickey’s Grumman Widgeon and Mike Pullman’s 1947 Republic RC-3 Seabee.

Tod Dickey’s Grumman G44 Widgeon (N3TD) refueling at Lampson Field (1O2). (Photo by Herb Lingl)

Both pilots not only traveled across state lines to participate, but also delivered presentations about their historic aircraft during the educational seminars held at the Lakeport Yacht Club, according to Splash-In organizers.

Lake County Record Bee photographer and journalist William Roller interviews Mike Pullman, the owner of this Republic Seabee RC-3, with ramp volunteer and seaplane builder John Elbert. (Photo by Herb Lingl)

Seaplane pilot Larry Perkins discusses seaplane flying with Jacob Thomsen while Mike Pullman shows visitors the interior of his Republic RC-3 Seabee. (Photo by Herb Lingl)

One of the dogs contracted by Lake County for aquatic invasive species inspections inspects Pullman’s Republic RC-3 Seabee. (Photo by Herb Lingl)

The Splash-In provided valuable experiences for young aviation enthusiasts. Jacob Thomsen Jr., an 11-year-old participant in the Clear Lake Flying Club’s Introduction to Aviation program, volunteered on the seaplane ramp and was rewarded with flights in Gibson Howell’s Lake Buccaneer and Dickey’s Widgeon.

Jacob Thomsen with a Cessna 185 on floats. (Photo by Herb Lingl)

Steve McCaughey, executive director of the Seaplane Pilots Association (SPA), moderated a panel discussion on “The Future of the Clear Lake Splash-In,” which explored options for expanding the seaplane infrastructure in the region.

A Lake Buccaneer LA-4-200 (N2611P) makes a low pass during the Splash-In. (Photo by Herb Lingl)

N2611P landing on Clear Lake during the Splash-In. (Photo by Herb Lingl)

Ramp crew members (left to right) Russ Willsher, Mike Pullman, Bruce Bolla, and John Ebert welcome Gibson Howell and his mother Jane Dugan as they arrive in his Lake LA-4-200 Buccaneer. (Photo by Herb Lingl)

Brian Hylland, product development manager of Bellingham Marine, presented proposals for a dedicated seaplane dock in Lakeport. Local government officials, including Lakeport Mayor Kim Costa and other city officials, attended the presentation, demonstrating strong community interest in developing seaplane tourism infrastructure, organizers noted.

Frankie Ridolfi discusses the flying characteristics of the Super Petrel during the Splash-In. (Photo by Herb Lingl)

The event culminated with an Italian-themed awards dinner and movie screening that celebrated Italy’s seaplane heritage. Attendees viewed a special video created by Aero Club Como, the world’s oldest seaplane club, specifically for the 2025 Clear Lake Splash-In.