Don't land on whales

I can't even imagine how you see that, make the correction and then get back down so smoothly. Great ending to what could've been a more tragic situation!
 
The only thing I can add to this is that I agree, one should definitely not land on whales.
 
I can't even imagine how you see that, make the correction and then get back down so smoothly. Great ending to what could've been a more tragic situation!

Story said pilot didn't see whale, but was reacting to crowd waving arms and pointing at his landing path.
 
I'm sure it's not the first time a beaver has gotten sprayed at an inopportune moment.
 
Story said pilot didn't see whale, but was reacting to crowd waving arms and pointing at his landing path.

I really did read the whole story, but somehow missed that paragraph. Though watching people on shore is probably even less likely to happen if I'm flying. That low to the ground/water, I'm just trying to keep the dirty side down. ;-)
 
Maybe he didn't really see the whale... he just caught an updraft from the blowhole and ballooned over it! :)
 
Maybe he didn't really see the whale... he just caught an updraft from the blowhole and ballooned over it! :)

Probably... Amateur.

In case everyone has forgotten their whale field landing instruction, I will paste this quote directly from the airplane flying handbook but I can't believe we have we have to rehash this basic stuff here:


"1. reduce power.
2. Pitch down directly at the whale which induces a fight or flight response in the animal.

If the whale chooses "flight", he goes deeper in which case you flare and land normally.

If he chooses "fight" he is going to leap out of the water.
Level off and fly under the whale trying not to make contact with the water or the whale. Consult your POH for proper power/flap settings.

If the whale is smaller or does not jump high enough you may have to roll slightly with it to avoid a whale-strike

After you have cleared the whale, climb to avoid being caught in the splash.

If there is room, continue your landing as normal otherwise go around but be ready for a second encounter as you now know this particular whale is likely going to opt for the fight vs flight response."

This is really basic stuff. I think John and Martha covered it in depth using catchy phrases like:

"You are in for a whale of a landing"
"Wheel pants? I thought you said Whale Pants"
"not being prepared for a shamu showdown could ruin your whole doggone day"



999940163188.jpg
 
Wait, supposed I'm to look at bystanders during short final?
 
You have WAY too much time on your hands!! But, well done! :D

Probably... Amateur.

In case everyone has forgotten their whale field landing instruction, I will paste this quote directly from the airplane flying handbook but I can't believe we have we have to rehash this basic stuff here:


"1. reduce power.
2. Pitch down directly at the whale which induces a fight or flight response in the animal.

If the whale chooses "flight", he goes deeper in which case you flare and land normally.

If he chooses "fight" he is going to leap out of the water.
Level off and fly under the whale trying not to make contact with the water or the whale. Consult your POH for proper power/flap settings.

If the whale is smaller or does not jump high enough you may have to roll slightly with it to avoid a whale-strike

After you have cleared the whale, climb to avoid being caught in the splash.

If there is room, continue your landing as normal otherwise go around but be ready for a second encounter as you now know this particular whale is likely going to opt for the fight vs flight response."

This is really basic stuff. I think John and Martha covered it in depth using catchy phrases like:

"You are in for a whale of a landing"
"Wheel pants? I thought you said Whale Pants"
"not being prepared for a shamu showdown could ruin your whole doggone day"



999940163188.jpg
 
There is a literary precedent for a whale in flight, how ever improbable. Same for a bowl of petunias.
 
Probably... Amateur.

In case everyone has forgotten their whale field landing instruction, I will paste this quote directly from the airplane flying handbook but I can't believe we have we have to rehash this basic stuff here:


"1. reduce power.
2. Pitch down directly at the whale which induces a fight or flight response in the animal.

If the whale chooses "flight", he goes deeper in which case you flare and land normally.

If he chooses "fight" he is going to leap out of the water.
Level off and fly under the whale trying not to make contact with the water or the whale. Consult your POH for proper power/flap settings.

If the whale is smaller or does not jump high enough you may have to roll slightly with it to avoid a whale-strike

After you have cleared the whale, climb to avoid being caught in the splash.

If there is room, continue your landing as normal otherwise go around but be ready for a second encounter as you now know this particular whale is likely going to opt for the fight vs flight response."

This is really basic stuff. I think John and Martha covered it in depth using catchy phrases like:

"You are in for a whale of a landing"
"Wheel pants? I thought you said Whale Pants"
"not being prepared for a shamu showdown could ruin your whole doggone day"



999940163188.jpg

Don't forget "Caution whale turbulence"
 
This is why I never went for a sea plane rating. A log 1 inch under the surface can make a great day go really bad in an instant. I saw too many tails sticking out of the water in Alaska, and I don't mean whale tails.

However, I love the picture above..!!!
 
I've landed on a few whales. I'm not a proud man.
 
Give it a week before cnn tries saying pilots are now trying to hunt whales with their planes
 
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