Canoe, Hunt, Fish, and Fly, by Otter

"Ugly" Americans?

2008-07-04T15:31:00.010-05:00

I sit and ponder "world" events this July 4th, nearing the end of George Bush's "Presidency". Terrorism, water shortages, adverse weather, stock market falling, civil wars,.... "Whew"! I have heard it said that the "prestige" of the United States of America is at an "all time low". Well, not for me it isn't. The Americans are the "hardest" working people on earth, and the most "compassionate", along with all their "faults and flaws". Their Government sometimes makes very serious mistakes, but in some of the world regions where these mistakes are made, it doesn't matter what decisions are made, the "genetic hatred" of the peoples of the areas concerned would see the "killing" continue. "Evil" doesn't lay down "it's sword" and become a "good citizen". Anyways, today is "America's birthday", and I remember an old speech I heard in my childhood. It was by that "crusty old curmudgeon" Gordon Sinclair. Lo and behold, I found a copy. The words are as valid today as they were when he spoke them. Here they are........

"The Americans: A Canadian's Opinion By Gordon Sinclair"

Outstanding. Yes, France, Germany, Belgium, Japan, South Korea, Israel... are all amazingly successful and prosperous, thanks to... "Yes, the Americans". Following are my favourite words ever written by my favourite ... "American".

"Gettysburg Address"

"Honest Abe" gives me the "chills", what an "orator". He could say more meaningful words in 2 minutes than anyone today could say in 2 years. Anyways, what I am trying to say is give the U.S. a "break". Their Government is far from perfect, but the people are second to none, and they strive to be better. They are our "brothers and sisters". Happy Birthday, "U.S.A"!

Title: The Gettysburg Address
Author: Abraham Lincoln
Year Published: 1863

Gettysburg Address

"Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth."

It's Time To Play..... Otterflogger's "Name That Cockpit"!

2008-07-02T18:47:00.001-05:00

OK, "Ladies and Gentlemen", time for "installment #65" in our "cockpit series", which will be a continuing "brain-strainer".

This is the "cockpit" of "the" ......................

The "Maple Leaf Forever"!

2008-07-01T15:21:00.004-05:00

I believe you would be "hard-pressed" to find anywhere on Earth as "pristine" as Canada. From west to east, north to south, "she has it all". A "tolerant" population, and "founded" on "Freedom". You know what? Let's let a native from "Skinner's Pond, Prince Edward Island", put it into words better than mine! Happy Birthday Canada!

VIDEO -

The "Maple Leaf Forever"!

Steve's Video Of The Day: Short Sunderlands; "Berlin Airlift"!

2008-06-30T18:29:00.002-05:00

I am quite familiar with the "Berlin Airlift", I just didn't realize the "Flying Boats" played such a role. Check out the "Short Sunderland"! What a machine!

VIDEO -

Short Sunderlands; "Berlin Airlift"!

Steve's "Otter Of The Week"! .....by Karl E. Hayes

2008-06-29T18:02:00.003-05:00

When I see the "condition" and "lot in life" of this following Otter, all I can think is;

"But for the grace of God, there go I."

John Bradford, an English protestant martyr, said this in the 1500s as he watched criminals being led to their executions. This fine "Canadian girl" is, unfortunately, "frozen in time", being "abused" by the "elements" and "vandals"......

All information is from Karl Hayes' "masterful" CD entitled:

De Havilland Canada
DHC-3 OTTER
A HISTORY

CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
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Otter 17

Otter number 17 was delivered to the De Havilland Aircraft Company Ltd, DHC's parent company in England, on 31st July 1953, registered G-ANCM. It was to serve as the European demonstrator based at Hatfield, a role it fulfilled for nearly four years. It went on a number of demonstration tours, including one to Norway and Sweden, flown by George Neal, DHC's chief test pilot, where it was shown to civil and military operators. It was also demonstrated in Portugal and Spain.

The Otter was sold in March 1957 to the Indian Air Force, being replaced as European demonstrator by G-AOYX (204). With the Indian Air Force it took serial IM-1057. It survived its tour of duty, and is now preserved in the museum at Kalaikunda Air Base, some seventy miles west of Calcutta, India.

- by Karl E. Hayes
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Unbelievable. Time to plan a "rescue" mission and "repatriate" this fine gal'.....

BRING - Otter 17 "HOME"!!

-photo by Simon Watson

CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes

Steve's Video Of The Day: "Golden Eagle" Defines "Nature".........

2008-06-28T18:46:00.002-05:00

This video is unbelievable. There is no "compassion" in nature, and I guess that is why "nature" is "successful" in "the wild". What a perfectly adapted "Golden Flyer"!

VIDEO -

"Golden Eagle" Defines "Nature".........

Into "The Hangar", A "Beaver", "Fort Frankie", and "Life Is A Beech"!

2008-06-27T18:08:00.005-05:00

I have been asked before how maintenance is done on an Otter when it needs to be "hangar-bound", and the Otter is on floats. First, the "hangar boys" put the trailer into the lake, which I drive straight onto.......

"Success"!

Then, the "junior" man has to get wet..........

We "pull" her up the hill........

"Back her" into the hangar.....

"Done deal"!

ODK in the hangar, I become "dock photographer". Matt runs up his Beaver.........

An "ethereal light" envelops the Beaver as Matt begins his take-off......

ODK is back in the water, and I take her to "Fort Frankie" to drop off some passengers......

"Boats"......

..."everywhere"!

Back at the dock, Northwest Flying's Beech 18 C-FNKL taxis down beside our docks to play a "Twin Junior" symphony, and gets the "last word"!

"Adios, we're outta' here"!

It's Time To Play..... Otterflogger's "Name That Cockpit"!

2008-06-25T18:55:00.002-05:00

OK, "Ladies and Gentlemen", time for "installment #64" in our "cockpit series", which will be a continuing "brain-strainer".

This is the "cockpit" of "the" ......................

***MYSTERY UNSOLVED!***

This is the cockpit of the Supermarine "Southampton" Mk.I! A real beauty, and a very "refreshing" ride! The "sailboat fuel" doubles next week!

LINK - Supermarine "Southampton"

Steve's Video Of The Day: Kelly Johnson's "Skunks" Continue.....

2008-06-24T17:44:00.002-05:00

We all know the "legacy" of Kelly Johnson and his "Skunk Works". So many famous "unbelievable" aircraft. Well, what is up next in the "famous family"? Here it is, the..... "QSST"!!!!!

VIDEO - Kelly Johnson's "Skunks" Continue.....

All hail "The Master".........

Steve's "Otter Of The Week"! .....by Karl E. Hayes

2008-06-22T17:32:00.005-05:00

This summer I am flying and living in a different geographic area than I normally have been for the past number of years. One of the "bonuses" of a change of address is getting to meet "the neighbours". I have met a number of the neighbours, but there is one neighbour I haven't "crossed paths" with yet, although I hope to before the season is done. "Hey", check out her history..........

All information is from Karl Hayes' "masterful" CD entitled:

De Havilland Canada
DHC-3 OTTER
A HISTORY

CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
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Otter 365

Otter 365 was delivered to the RCAF on 16th June 1960 with serial 9406. It was allocated to 438 Squadron at St.Hubert, Montreal where it served until selected for duty with 117 Air Transport Unit, an RCAF unit formed to support a United Nations mission supervising a cease-fire between India and Pakistan. The Otter flew to Trenton on 23rd September '65, taking up temporary residence with 102 Communications Unit, and was then loaded on board an RCAF Hercules and flown to Lahore in Pakistan, where it arrived on 6th October 1965. Two other Otters served with 117 ATU, these being 9422 (404) and 9423 (405). The activities of 117 ATU are described in the Canadian military section. The three Otters were flown back to Canada in April 1966, again on board RCAF Hercules.

After re-assembly by No.6 Repair Depot, 9406 was assigned on 18th November 1966 to No.4 Operational Training Unit at Trenton. This unit was re-designated 424 Transport & Rescue Squadron in November 1968, remaining based at Trenton. The Otter was noted on detachment at Goose Bay during June 1969. 9406 continued to serve with 424 Squadron until transferred to 401 Squadron at St.Hubert on 22nd June 1970. On 28th June '72 it went into storage at the Mountain View Depot until 6th August 1974 when it was assigned to 402 Squadron at Winnipeg. On 22nd December '75 it was transferred back to St.Hubert and re-joined 401 Squadron. It continued to serve with 401 Squadron until 9th December 1981 when it was flown to the Mountain View Depot and put up for disposal by the Crown Assets Disposal Corporation.

9406 was sold in an auction in February 1982, with a total airframe time at that stage of 6,576 hours. The buyer was Nahanni Air Services Ltd of Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, to whom the Otter was registered in February 1983 as C-GUTL. Nahanni Air Services had also purchased two other ex-Canadian military Otters, 9421 (402) which became C-GUTQ and 9423 (405) which became C-GUTW. Otter C-GUTL went on lease to LSD Aviation Ltd of Fort Frances, Ontario for the summer of 1983. A company in Colombia then agreed to purchase all three of these Otters from Nahanni Air Services. The proposed purchaser had the exotic name of Aerolineas de la Orinoquia & Amazonia Limitada and early in 1984 paid a deposit for the Otters, and obtained Colombian registrations for the three aircraft. C-GUTL (365) was to become HK-3048X, C-GUTQ (402) was to become HK-3049X and C-GUTW (405) was to become HK-3050X.

The three Otters were made ready for delivery, but the final payment was never made and nothing more was heard from the would-be purchaser. After this sale had fallen through, C-GUTL was sold to Fort Frances Sportsmen Airways Ltd, to whom it was registered in April 1984, based at Fort Frances, Ontario. It was converted to Vazar turbine Otter and carries Northern Wilderness Outfitters Ltd titles, a company associated with Fort Frances Sportsmen Airways Ltd. It is used during the summer months to fly fishermen and tourists to remote parts of Ontario, and was still in service during the summer of 2004, twenty years after first delivered to Fort Frances.

*** LATEST UPDATE!***

Otter 365

January 1st, 2008. C-GUTL. Fort Frances Sportsmen Airways Ltd., Fort Frances, Ontario. Vazar.

- by Karl E. Hayes
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Well, I was in "Fort Frankie" last week, but I never found "UTL". Maybe next time........

(Hey, I wonder what the Colombian company wanted 3 Otters for? You could load a lot of "Latin Lettuce" in an Otter.....)

-photo by Rich Hulina

-photo by Ruud Leeuw

CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes

It's Time To Play..... Otterflogger's "Name That Cockpit"!

2008-06-19T19:07:00.005-05:00

OK, "Ladies and Gentlemen", time for "installment #63" in our "cockpit series", which will be a continuing "brain-strainer".

This is the "cockpit" of "the" ......................

***NEW CLUE!***

Think.... "1st".... to "The Max"....!

***MYSTERY SOLVED!***

This is the cockpit of the de Havilland DH.83 "Fox Moth"! "Max's" first! We all know the "rest of his story"! Lance wins the "sailboat fuel", "honourable mention" to "SoftJug"!

Steve's "Otter Of The Week"! .....by Karl E. Hayes

2008-06-15T16:52:00.005-05:00

June 10th I published a "Post" entitled The Return Of........ "ODK"! Well, let's go back a little further, back to her "birth", early "childhood", and "adulthood", to witness the "factors" that made her the "fine ship" she is today.

All information is from Karl Hayes' "masterful" CD entitled:

De Havilland Canada
DHC-3 OTTER
A HISTORY

CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Otter 13

Otter number 13, registered CF-ODK to the Department of Lands & Forests, was delivered to the Ontario Provincial Air Service (OPAS) on 22nd May 1953, based at Sault St.Marie, Ontario. It was the second Otter delivered to OPAS, the first being CF-ODJ (14) on 8th May '53, these being the first two of an order for eleven new Otters from DHC. In their attractive and distinctive all yellow scheme with black trim, these Otters served the Province for many years, providing a full range of aerial bush services.

The Otters were most active during the summer months, but some of the fleet were also kept going on wheel-skis during the winter. The Otters were modified as water bombers, to fight forest fires which plague the Province during the summer, and were also invaluable for moving fire crews. The Fish & Wildlife Branch was another big user of the Otter, on surveys, census taking, fish stocking and enforcement of game laws. Timber surveys were another task. Year round, the Otters provided transportation for officials to all the remote parts of this huge Province, including many native settlements, and brought cargo wherever it was needed. They were also available year round for SAR and medevacs.

Only one minor incident is recorded in respect of CF-ODK during its service with OPAS. It was damaged in a hard landing at Terrace Bay on Lake Superior, Ontario on 11th August 1970. The pilot had “misjudged speed and distance”. The damage was repaired and ODK returned to service. In September 1972, along with all the other OPAS Otters, the registered owner was changed to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the registration became C-FODK. After thirty years of faithful service, ODK was put up for sale, as the Province disposed of its Otter fleet. The Otter was destined to stay in Ontario, however, as its purchaser was Huron Air & Outfitters Inc of Armstrong-McKenzie Lake, to whom ODK was registered in May 1984. Armstrong is one of these 'end of the road' towns, ideally located to serve the vast central region of northern Ontario. ODK joined Huron Air's then fleet of Cessna 185s. It was to serve Huron Air for fourteen years, the registration reverting to CF-ODK in April 1997.

During this long period of service, it flew fishermen to the many lodges in this remote and beautiful land, flew passengers and cargo to the native settlements, flew construction workers out into the bush to establish mining camps and kept the camps supplied. Its time with Huron Air came to an end on 26th May 1998. The float-equipped Otter had just taken off from Lake Machawaian, some one hundred miles to the north of Armstrong, after dropping off six passengers. At an altitude of 500 feet the engine began to backfire and lose power. The pilot switched fuel tanks and turned on the electric fuel boost pump, but the engine would not stop backfiring. ODK began to lose airspeed and altitude, and the pilot elected to land straight ahead. The Otter crashed into trees and muskeg approximately three miles south of the lake, and was substantially damaged. That was the end of its career with Huron Air, who leased Otter C-FCEE (282) for summer 1998, until they purchased another former Ontario Government Otter C-GOFF (65) as a replacement in October '98.

The wreck of ODK was sold by the insurers to Aviation V.L. Inc who retrieved the Otter from the crash site and transported it to their facility at St.Jean Airfield, Montreal where the rebuild commenced. The Otter was registered to Aviation V.L. Inc in April 1999, reverting to C-FODK the following month. After the rebuild was complete, ODK was sold to Nestor Falls Fly-In Outposts Ltd, to whom it was registered in July 1999, joining their other Otter C-FSOR (239) as well as a Beaver and Beech 18. This carrier is based at Nestor Falls, Ontario not far from the US border and is a summer only operator, catering for fishermen and tourists. Their website says it all: “Climb aboard one of our float planes and soar over the magnificent beauty of the Canadian shield. A tremendous photo opportunity of the rugged cliffs, pristine waters and abundance of wild life awaits you… ..Savour the beauty of the Canadian bush, a wilderness for the most part accessible only by air”.

For the fisherman, the company flies to nine different lakes, with twelve cottages to chose from, all about 200 miles north of Nestor Falls. ODK entered service with the company, flying the larger groups to the lakes and on sightseeing flights during the summer months, put into storage for the winter.

*** LATEST UPDATE!***

Otter 13

January 1st, 2008. C-FODK. In service with Nestor Falls Fly-In Outpost Camps, Nestor Falls, Ontario. R-1340.

- by Karl E. Hayes
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Well, folks, this Spring the folks at Recon Air converted her to a "Super Otter", a "Texas Turbine"! She now has the Garrett 900 HP engine! She sits on the dock at Nestor Falls as I write, and in the AM I am heading to Malaher Lake with her! Good old "Lucky 13"!

-photo by Rich Hulina

-photo by Steve Taylor

-photo by Steve Taylor

CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes

***BONUS***

Ain't just "Turbines" that come from "Texas", check out these two "Troubadours"!

Gotta' love "Outlaws"!

The "LOON"!

2008-06-13T17:58:00.003-05:00

If there is one sound in the Canadian wilderness that "stirs" your blood, gives you "goosebumps", makes the hair on your neck "stand", and puts your body into "tune" with nature, it is the "call of the Loon", especially at the "crack of dawn", or at "sunset". I personally have been favoured to hear it during my career many thousands of times, and I have observed these birds. Amazing "fishermen", amazing "swimmers", amazing "parents". At Nestor Falls, just out from the Float Base, a piece of "floating bog" broke from shore, drifted across the lake, and then the roots struck bottom in the middle of "Dawes Bay", and the bog became "anchored" again. Vegetation has grown, and you guessed it, a pair of "mating" Loons made a nest. "Smart birds", building a nest away from predators. Anyways, I took out the "crash" boat the other day, as we can always see the male and female Loons both from the floating docks, one on the nest, the other "patrolling" the nest "perimeter". I tried to get close without disturbing the birds.........

Anchored "floating bog" with "tenants"...........

I get "closer".............

The "male" Loon comes close to the boat and tries to lead me away..........

"Closer" yet.........

The "female" Loon becomes annoyed with my presence, I back off, time to use my camera "ZOOM".........

"WOW!" Nature "reproduces"..........

Ever alert, the female Loon watches, as her "fur-ball" huddles for warmth.

In this "shot", the "mother Loon" looks me "straight in the eye". She never moved from her nest, so I am sure the "fur-ball" you see was "first-born". I know Loon families I have seen before in the "wild" usually consists of 2 to 3 "young 'uns". One other amazing fact? Loons are "monogamous", and spend their summers together raising their chicks. In the fall and winter months, the adult loons fly to separate wintering locations, often in the Pacific, until the courtship reunion next spring. Final word of my "Post" goes to..........

THE CALL OF - The "LOON"!

MORE INFO - Loons!

It's Time To Play..... Otterflogger's "Name That Cockpit"!

2008-06-11T16:26:00.002-05:00

OK, "Ladies and Gentlemen", time for "installment #62" in our "cockpit series", which will be a continuing "brain-strainer".

This is the "cockpit" of "the" ......................

***MYSTERY SOLVED!***

This is the cockpit of the Bell "X-22A"! Lance wins the "sailboat fuel"! Hey Lance, did you really know this cockpit, or did you see the "plaque" aft of the co-pilot's left rudder pedal that I overlooked when I "posted" the pic? Be honest! "Ha"! Here she is!

"Adios"!

The Return Of........ "ODK"!

2008-06-10T16:25:00.008-05:00

This past winter, Dave Beaushene, owner of Nestor Falls Fly-In Outposts, decided to replace the powerplant on one of his Otters, C-FODK. Dave has two Otters, the other being C-FSOR. SOR has a "Garrett" powering her, and has given such "stellar performance" that Dave decided ODK should have a Garrett also, which would entail removing her Pratt and Whitney R-1340. Anyone who has flown thousands of hours on R-1340s and "still lives" applauds this move, as the old radials are just "too tired", and should all be sent to the "retirement home". In my career I have had 5 cylinder failures on 1340s.

Anyways, the good folks at Recon Air Corporation converted ODK to the Garrett turbine, Bobby Bishop from Texas Turbines did the initial "run-ups", some technical problems were identified, which is a normal part of any engine conversion, some "tweaks" were made to the aircraft systems, and finally I flew ODK to the hangar at Minaki so "floats" could be installed. ODK now sits on floats, and has been "earning her keep" flying fishermen "to and from" the bush! Let's follow the above story in some of my photos.........

Conversion complete, Bobby Bishop runs ODK!

Bobby studies the "numbers" the new engine is producing.........

..... then shuts ODK down.

Bobby takes her for a test "flip"...........

More "tweaks".........

........ more "runs"......

.......back to work.........

.....Lount Lake, English River..........

...........and back on the dock in Nestor Falls with fellow "ship" C-FSOR! She has been working hard!

Special mention to Paul and James from River Air who transported us safely and professionally in River Air's "amphib" Caravan to Geraldton to pick up ODK.

LINK - Texas Turbine Conversions, Inc.

LINK - Nestor Falls Fly-In Outposts

LINK - Recon Air Corporation

LINK - River Air

"Adios"!

Steve's "Otter Of The Week"! .....by Karl E. Hayes

2008-06-08T17:26:00.003-05:00

It is said that an "image" is worth a thousand words. Well, an "image" of an Otter is a "story" waiting to be told. Unfortunately, many never will be, but with many thanks to Karl Hayes, many stories are being told, and updated as "time marches on". Just check out the "storied" life of this Otter..... "friggin' unbelievable" where she has been, what she has done, and what she has been through......

All information is from Karl Hayes' "masterful" CD entitled:

De Havilland Canada
DHC-3 OTTER
A HISTORY

CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Otter 201

Otter 201 was delivered to Wideroes Flyveselskap & Polarfly A/S of Norway on 11th March 1957. It was crated at Downsview and shipped to Norway where it was re-assembled and registered LN-BIB on 29th April 1957. It entered service with Wideroes based at Bodo in northern Norway on their scheduled network. LN-BIB was to fly for Wideroes for fourteen years. It was damaged on 26th June 1967 when in collision with a boat but was repaired and continued in service. It was one of the last three Otters flown by Wideroes, all three of which were sold to Laurentian Air Services Ltd of Ottawa by Bill of Sale dated 19th October 1971. LN-BIB was registered CF-APQ to Laurentian Air Services, the other two Otters being CF-APP (ex LN-BDD) and CF-APR (ex LN-LMM). By that stage of its career, Otter 201 had 12,240 hours on the airframe. The three Otters were shipped back to Canada and re-assembled at the Laurentian base at Ottawa.

All three Otters entered service with Laurentian Air services, which was a large operator of the DHC-3. Over the years, it operated no less than fourteen Otters. Although based at Ottawa, most of the company's flying was done in Quebec. CF-APQ was involved in an accident at Esker, Newfoundland on 2nd August 1974. As the report summarises: “Selected unsuitable terrain; overshot; substantial damage”. It was repaired and sold to Direquair Inc of Chibougamau, Quebec in 1977, registered C-FAPQ. With Direquair, the Otter was based at Lac Cache, Chibougamau and served alongside the company's other two Otters C-FDIO (452) and C-FQOS (398). There was a change of name to Air Mistassini Inc in 1981. On 25th March 1982, C-FAPQ was involved in an incident at Baie du Poste, Quebec. Following the landing and while taxying in soft snow and slush, the right ski attachment bolt failed. The pilot felt the aircraft begin to sink and applied power. The drag strut then failed from excessive loads as the ski moved sideways and the Otter fell onto its right side.

The Otter was repaired, but shortly afterwards Air Mistassini went bankrupt. Although their other two Otters were stored at Lac Cache, APQ went on lease to Propair who flew it in northern Quebec. The registration to Air Mistassini was cancelled on 27th May 1982. For the summer of 1982 the Otter was registered to Societe Tourisme Baie James, while operated by Propair. It was then sold to CoVal Air Ltd in June 1984 and crossed the country, all the way to Campbell River, Vancouver Island on the Pacific Coast, its new base. Initially it flew in Air Mistassini colour scheme with CoVal Air titles, before being re-painted into CoVal's blue and white colour scheme. It was to fly for CoVal Air for all of thirteen years. One incident was recorded during that time, at Jesse Island, BC on 12th January 1987 when APQ made a forced landing due to engine failure. It was soon repaired in Vancouver and back in service by late March '87. It went on lease to Deh Cho Air from June 1992, based out of Fort Liard, Northwest Territories. Deh Cho Air added the Otter to its fleet to support reforestation work in the Fort Liard Indian Band's territory and to take groups of tourists into Nahanni National Park. It proved ideal for this operation and could comfortably carry groups of six people with their canoes and supplies. It returned to CoVal Air at Campbell River in September 1993, and Deh Cho Air then acquired their own Otter C-FZKW (461).

C-FAPQ continued in service with CoVal Air until early 1997 when the company suspended operations. By April 1997 the three CoVal Otters APQ, QEI (397) and LCP (422) were parked out of service at Campbell River. The Otter had been on lease and its owners arranged for it to be given a major overhaul prior to being put up for sale/lease. At that stage it had 24,336 hours total time. The airframe was paint stripped and de-corroded and then primed, seam sealed and painted overall gloss white. It received an updated instrument panel and cabin sound proofing. It was on EDO 7170 floats. Over $200,000 was spent on the overhaul and it was advertised for sale as “ready to work”, with an asking price of US$375,000. It was leased in July 1999 to North Coast Aviation Ltd of Goose Bay, Labrador, resulting in another cross-country ferry flight back to the Atlantic coast.

With North Coast Aviation Ltd at Goose Bay, it was to replace Otter C-GLQX (362 which the company had been operating up to then. The following month, there was a change of personnel within the company, which was re-named Goose Bay Aviation Ltd, trading as “Northwind Aviation”, to which APQ was registered in August 1999. The Otter suffered a mishap at Nain, north of Goose Bay, during summer 2000. While docked at Nain, one of the floats filled with water and the Otter flipped over and sank. It was fished out of the water, dried out, temporarily repaired on site and a ferry permit obtained for a flight back to Goose Bay. Over the winter of 2000/2001, it was rebuilt at Goose. In November 2001 the Otter was sold to 541964 British Columbia Ltd, a private company with an address at Comox, BC to whom it was registered on 7th November 2001, but the Otter was parked at Polson, Montana while owned by this company.

In October 2002 the Otter was advertised for sale, through aircraft brokers Island Aero Services of Sidney, BC. Photographs of the Otter on their website showed it parked at Polson, in an all white scheme, on wheel-skis. The aircraft was advertised with an asking price of US$550,000. By March 2003 the Otter had arrived at Hemet Valley airfield, California where it was parked, for sale. It was still painted all white and on wheel-skis. It was still there in August 2003, its wheel-skis somewhat out of place in the 35C heat. The Otter was still advertised for sale during 2004.

*** LATEST UPDATE!***

Otter 201

January 1st, 2008. N205RC. Rapids Camp Lodge, King Salmon, Alaska. Texas Turbine.

- by Karl E. Hayes
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"Wow", now she has a 900 HP Garrett engine, and you should see her, talk about a middle-aged female getting "back in shape"!

-photo by John Kimberley

"Then"..........

-photo by Stephen Toernblom

......and "now"! "Aye Caramba"!

CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes

Steve's Video Of The Day: D-DAY: "How High The Price"..........

2008-06-06T18:20:00.004-05:00

The Greatest Generation is a term used to describe those Allied citizens who fought in World War II, and many are still living today. The term couldn't be more fitting. On this day, the 64th anniversary of D-Day, which took place June 6, 1944, please remember what these people did for us. They "saved" the world, and gave us "freedom", which allows us to complain about every "petty annoyance" that comes our way during our "consumptive race to nowhere". Oh, if we could only turn back the clock on "character".........

"Honour" these people, there have never been any that were better.

VIDEO -

"How High The Price"..........

(John Tams is "haunting" and "outstanding"!)

It's Time To Play..... Otterflogger's "Name That Cockpit"!

2008-06-04T20:29:00.002-05:00

OK, "Ladies and Gentlemen", time for "installment #61" in our "cockpit series", which will be a continuing "brain-strainer".

This is the "cockpit" of "the" ......................

***MYSTERY SOLVED!***

This is the cockpit of the Lockheed C-141 "Starlifter"! Lance wins the "sailboat fuel", and he is right, this is the "Hanoi Taxi"! Glad somebody won the sailboat fuel, now my warehouse is "empty"!

Steve's "Otter Of The Week"! .....by Karl E. Hayes

2008-06-02T12:05:00.002-05:00

Some people choose a career in life, then down the road "deviate" from it somewhat, then return to that career later. Well, this aircraft is quite similar. It flew for 29 years, then decided to become a "hangar Supervisor" for 18 years, before once again "getting the urge", and returning to the skies to "auger" across Northern Ontario.

All information is from Karl Hayes' "masterful" CD entitled:

De Havilland Canada
DHC-3 OTTER
A HISTORY

CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
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Otter 165

Otter 165 was delivered to the United States Army on 25th October 1956 with serial 55-3306 (tail number 53306). It was assigned to the 3rd Aviation Company, Fort Riley, Kansas and deployed with the Company to Illesheim, Germany in July 1957. The Company disbanded in November 1959 but 53306 remained based in Europe and by January 1962 was serving with the Headquarters Company, 205th Transportation Command in Germany until March 1962, when it joined the 2nd Military Intelligence Battalion based at Sembach Air Base, Germany. In April 1963 it joined the 245th Transportation Company based at Finthen, Germany as a support aircraft and in January '64 went to the Depot at Coleman Barracks, Mannheim, Germany for overhaul. In May '64 it was deployed to Iran, to support the Corps of Engineers on survey duties, and remained there until August 1969 when it returned to the Depot at Coleman Barracks.

From there it was transported back to the United States, arriving at the Sharpe Army Depot, Stockton, California in February 1970. After overhaul, it was assigned in July 1970 to Fort Hood, Texas as an operational support aircraft. It flew for the Air Maintenance Branch and was used to carry maintenance crews for the repair of Army aircraft around the Texas/Louisiana/Oklahoma regions. The Branch also flew a Beech C-45. This use of the Otter continued until November 1971 and the Otter was deleted from the inventory in January 1972, before being put up for disposal as military surplus. The Otter was briefly registered N1905R before being sold in Canada to Severn Enterprises Ltd of Thunder Bay, Ontario to whom it was registered CF-DDX on 5th October 1973. It was sold on to Lac Seul Airways of Ear Falls, Ontario to whom it was registered as C-FDDX on 6th February 1976. During 1978 it also carried Hanaways Flying Service titles, as well as those of Lac Seul Airways. It was registered to Red Lake Airways Ltd of Kenora, Ontario on 23rd January 1984; to Kenora Air Service Ltd on 1st June 1984 and Red Lake Airways Ltd again in January 1985, based at Red Lake, Ontario.

It was still operated by Red Lake Airways when it crashed at Vermillion Lake, Ontario on 20th June 1985. About thirty minutes after take-off, the float-equipped Otter suffered a partial power loss, and smoke began to pour out of the top of the engine cowling. The engine began to surge and then seized. The pilot decided to make an emergency landing on a lake he had just overflown. However, the Otter struck trees short of the lake and was substantially damaged. The wreck was brought to Kuby's Aircraft at Kenora, Ontario for a “slow rebuild” and stored in a hangar. On 4th January 2000, fifteen years after the crash, it was registered to Kuby's Aircraft Ltd, the rebuild not yet having started. On 4th January 2003 it was registered to Recon Air Corporation of Geraldton, Ontario, another company which specialises in the repair and rebuild of Otters, who had purchased DDX from Kuby's Aircraft. The Otter was trucked to Geraldton, where its rebuild commenced.

In January 2004 the Otter was advertised for sale as having been “stored in heated hangar for 18 years”. It had 6,753 hours total time, a “lowest time Otter”. The asking price, without engine, was $675,000 Canadian. The aircraft was ready to have a turbine engine installed, which could either be supplied by the seller or the buyer. The Otter was eventually sold, to Hearst Air Service Ltd of Hearst-Carey Lake, Ontario. Hearst Air provided a PT-6 engine and Recon Air installed the engine on the re-built Otter, creating another Vazar Turbine. C-FDDX was registered to Hearst Air Service on 27th August 2004 and delivered from Geraldton to Carey Lake, where it resumed its flying career just over nineteen years after its crash at Vermillion Lake. The Otter joined Hearst Air's fleet of two Beavers, mostly used flying fishermen, hunters and tourists to remote camps in northern Ontario. The company also supports mining exploration work in the bush, and the Otter was to be put on skis to continue this work during the winter months.

*** LATEST UPDATE!***

Otter 165

January 1st, 2008. C-FDDX. Hearst Air Service, Hearst, Ontario. Vazar.

- by Karl E. Hayes
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Once the "lure of flight" has captured "one's imagination", it becomes part of "one's personality".....

CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes

Steve's Video Of The Day: "Albatross"!

2008-06-01T09:23:00.002-05:00

Def.:- (figurative) something that hinders or handicaps; "she was an albatross around his neck".

Def.:- The word albatross is sometimes used to mean an encumbrance, or a wearisome burden. It is an allusion to Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (1798).
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"Handicap, encumbrance, burden"?

Not this beautiful "bird"! "Hey", who says there are no "Albatrosses" in Alaska?

VIDEO -

"Albatross"!

("Learning To Fly", another "gem" from "Tom Petty and his Heartbreakers"!)

Life, ...."As A Pilot"

2008-05-31T18:19:00.002-05:00

Life, ...."As A Pilot"
-------------------

22 years old: Graduated from college. Go to military flight school. Become hot shot fighter pilot. Get married.

25 years old: Have 1st kid. Now hotshot fighter jock getting shot at in war. Just want to get back to USA in one piece. Get back to USA as primary flight instructor pilot. Get bored. Volunteer for war again.

29 years old: Get back from war all tuckered out. Wants out of military.

30 years old: Join airline. World is your oyster.

31 years old: Buy flashy car, house and lots of toys. Get over the military poverty feeling.

32 years old: Divorce boring 1st wife. Pay child support and maintenance. Drink lots of booze and screw around while looking for 2nd wife.

33 years old: Furloughed. Join military Reserve unit and fly for fun. Repeat above for a few more years.

35 years old: Airline recall. More screwing around but looking forward to a good marriage and settling down.

36 years old: Marry young spunky 25 year old flight attendant.

37 years old: Buy another house. Gave first one to first wife.

38 years old: Give in to second wife to have more kids. Father again. Wife concerned about "risky" military Reserve flying so you resign commission.

39 years old: Now a captain. Hooray! Upgrade house, buy boat, small single engine airplane and even flashier cars.

42 years old: 2nd wife runs off with wealthy investment banker but still wants to share house (100%).

43 years old: Settle with wife #2 and resolve to stay away from women forever. Seek a position as a check Captain for 10% pay override to pay mounting bills. Move into 1 bedroom apartment with window air conditioners.

44 years old: Company resizes and you're returned to copilot status. 25% pay cut. Become simulator instructor for 10% override pay.

49 years old: Captain again. Move into 2-bedroom luxury apartment with central air conditioning

50 years old: Meet sexy Danish model on International trip. She loves you and says you are very "beeeeg!"

51 years old: Marry sexy Danish model for wife #3. Buy big house, boat, twin engine airplane and upgrade cars.

52 years old: Sexy model wants kids (not again). Resolve to get vasectomy.

54 years old: Try to talk wife out of kids, but presto, she's pregnant. She says she got sick after taking the pill. Accident, sorry, won't happen again.

55 years old: Father of triplets.

56 years old: Wife #3 wants very big house, bigger boat and very flashy cars, "worried" about your private flying and wants you to sell twin engine airplane. You give in. You buy a motorcycle and join motorcycle club.

57 years old: Make rash investments to try and have enough money for retirement.

59 years old: Lose money on rash investment and get audited by the IRS. You have to fly 100% International night trips just to keep up with child support and alimony to wife #1 and #2.

60 years old: Wife #3 (sexy model) says you're too damned old and no fun. She leaves. She takes most of your assets. You're forced to retire due to Age 60 rule. No money left.

61 years old: Now Captain on a non-schedule South American 727 freight outfit and living in a non-air conditioned studio apartment directly underneath the final approach to runway 9 at Miami Int'l. You have "interesting" Hispanic neighbors who ask you if you've ever flown DC-3's.

65 years old: Lose FAA medical and get job as sim instructor. Don't look forward to years of getting up at 2 AM for 3 AM sim in every God-forsaken town you train in due to the fact your carrier can find cheap, off-hours sim time at various Brand X Airlines.

70 years old: Hotel alarm clock set by previous FedEx crewmember goes off at 1:00 AM. Have heart attack and die with smile on face. Happy at last!

Ain't aviation great?

May The Wings Of Freedom Not Lose A Feather! (One Nation, Under God)

"Yee-Haa! I am retired, relaxed, and rejoicing" .....says Rooster!

Steve's Video Of The Day: Aviation & Alaska; A Living Legacy

2008-05-30T19:05:00.002-05:00

I love Alaska, and I love airplanes. No wonder Alaska and Aviation are such a "perfect fit". See some excellent "scenery" as you listen to Coldplay perform their great hit "Clocks"! Enjoy!

VIDEO -

Aviation & Alaska; A Living Legacy

It's Time To Play..... Otterflogger's "Name That Cockpit"!

2008-05-28T17:53:00.001-05:00

OK, "Ladies and Gentlemen", time for "installment #60" in our "cockpit series", which will be a continuing "brain-strainer".

This is the "cockpit" of "the" ......................

***MYSTERY UNSOLVED!***

This is the cockpit of the KAI T-50 "Golden Eagle"! Nice try with the F-16 guesses, as the cockpits are very similar! The Golden Eagle is built by Korean Aerospace Industries, with principal subcontractor Lockheed Martin. A "warehouse" of "sailboat fuel" up for grabs next week!

Hauling Lumber To "Malaher Lake"........

2008-05-27T18:10:00.001-05:00

Malaher Lake is a fine "body of water" on the Keeper River system that then flows into Moar Lake, and joins the Berens River system. Nestor Falls Fly-In Outposts operates an outpost on the lake, a fine building set up from a sand beach. Dave and Michelle Beaushene, Nestor Falls Fly-In operators, decided this Spring to add a screened-in porch to the building at "Malaher". The addition was supposed to be completed already, but the ice was two weeks late leaving the lake. "Well, better late than never." A couple of days ago KOA and SOR, two fine "Super Otters", hauled the building supplies into Malaher Lake. Check out KOA, the "bird" I was flying........

Yup, "Otter" season is upon us again!

NESTOR FALLS FLY-IN OUTPOSTS - Malaher Lake!

"Adios!"

"Heroes" Among Us......

2008-05-25T20:46:00.006-05:00

Today is Memorial Day, for the good old U.S. of A., but I think the day "transcends" borders, North America, and her Allies. I have heard reference to a "lack of heroes" recently, but I think it depends where you "look". The Stanley Cup Playoffs have started, with Detroit and Pittsburgh playing Game 2 tonight. "Heroes?" Hardly! Exceptional athletes, yes, but not "heroes". Take the time to stop and remember, there must be a family member somewhere in the "lineage" that has given the "ultimate sacrifice". Now, there is a hero. By the way, don't forget to "hug a Vet", and tell them how proud you are of them, and how they are held in the "highest regard". If it wasn't for them, we would all be "under a jackboot" or "Red"........ Take a walk through Arlington, in Virginia, Flanders Field, in Belgium, or Beechwood, in Ottawa, or other similar "resting places", you will be in "fine company". Please, "remember".

MEMORIAL DAY