AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2021 - 70

With 28 inches of manifold pressure and 1,800
rpm, we cruised at 135 mph burning 50 gallons per
hour, some 65 mph slower than a Beech 18 on wheels.
Occasionally we activated preventive carb heat and
adjusted oil shutter doors to manage the narrow oil
temperature targets for optimum engine operation.
While fidgeting with the engines, I flew the stable
Beech easily in cruise with small inputs to the large
elevator trim wheel at my right hip, which allowed precise altitude control and a smooth ride.
On downwind for our first landing, I selected
approach flaps once below 120 mph, and turning base
used preventive carb heat for a few seconds. On final,
110 mph felt about right to stay above VMC until landing was assured, then 100 mph. " From here, " Sullivan
coached, " just feel it and fly it. " A typical water landing
in the Twin Beech is much like a glassy water landing
in other floatplanes but with a slightly steeper descent.
I managed power and pitch to descend steadily to the
water at about 400 feet per minute. Once in ground
effect, I started a slow, continuous power reduction
with steady aft yoke, and the floats sliced the water
gracefully. The Twin Beech can be " greased " on
water landings because of excellent control authority
throughout the flare and touchdown, and large floats
that slip into the water. The touchdown and water
transition were much easier and smoother than flying
a Super Cub, my previous seaplane ride.
We worked on taxi techniques between landings.
The EDO 7850 floats aren't connected by spreaders and
side loads are especially worrisome, since each float is
independent. Turns during high-speed, planing taxi
are delicate, especially with any wave activity. Docking
takes some room because of the long wingspan, but
speed control is easy by sequentially working power,
carb heat, magnetos, and cutting the engines in succession approaching the dock.
We fueled at Scott's, a quaint seaplane base used for
decades as a last fuel stop before crossing the Canadian
border. Fueling any seaplane on the water requires some
sea legs. Trapeze skills are helpful to top off the Twin
Beech's nose tank, placed forward of any comfortable
reach from a solid wing hold. Wing fuel tanks are easy
enough to access, once you climb out the cockpit hatch
onto the wing. Legend has it that you're not a real seaplane pilot until you've dropped your keys or something
expensive in the water. I joined the ranks of the fully
inducted by dropping my favorite pair of sunglasses as
I ambled across the fuselage to the outboard wing.
The second and final day was checkride day. We
stayed near Duluth for checkride practice and splashed
around Superior Bay amid the iron ore docks made
famous by Gordon Lightfoot's somber ballad. Late
that afternoon, FAA designated pilot examiner Geary
" General " Padden arrived. Competent, confident, and
70 | AOPA PILOT February 2021

AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2021

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