Water Skiing Tiger Moth

They’re not a worry really as all the pilots were very well briefed about the wires, and they are below the normal flying height over the lake.

Its one of those things that make a non-pilot like me go ‘Hmmm’, but there’s the thing – I’m a non pilot; I have no idea what it takes to waterski in a Tiger Moth; it could be the easiest thing in the world, or the most dangerous. As the guy has done it many times before, I think we give him the benefit of the doubt.

It has also, been explained pretty well above.

Lastly, its another one of those ‘When you own this Spitfire, you can paint it any colour you like’ things. If gentleman ‘x’ kills himself in a Historic aircraft, the greatest loss is the person in question. The aircraft is just a machine, and there are plenty about.

James, nice to see you here again.

Bruce

I used to be very skeptical of this kind of thing, but after conversations with several pilots with experience of it, in the US, Canada and NZ, as well as noting the now-famous South African Harvard efforts, I think it’s worth pointing out (again) that this kind of water skiing is one of those great ‘stunts’ that actually looks risky, when it isn’t. If done right, it’s not a significant risk and is actually a lot less risky than flying a little higher. I’m told by experts (and again, if done right) it’s apparently effectively impossible to push the aircraft any further into the water.

Great clip. Dave is the consummate flyer – very skilled, very professional and the Tiger is like an old pair of comfy slippers to him…..he’s always good to watch.

Certainly some skilful flying. I remember seeing crop spraying aircraft doing this on TV. I think it was when the spraying season had finished (in Africa ?) and the pilots blew off a bit of steam, by ski-ing along the local irrigation canals.

That was the BBC programme called “Into Africa” which looked at the ag pilots from New Zealand (the late Max Lacey) and Britain (Tony Abercrombie Dick) working in Africa. Here’s a clip of the opening showing Max doing a bit of skiing. The full doco was on Youtube but has been removed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTgUSLYsnnY

No one said you weren’t. They just disagreed with yours, that’s all. What an odd thread. Back on topic what more can one say, aside from those of us who enjoyed the sequence, saying so.:)

Certainly some skilful flying. I remember seeing crop spraying aircraft doing this on TV. I think it was when the spraying season had finished (in Africa ?) and the pilots blew off a bit of steam, by ski-ing along the local irrigation canals.

Most of them have long gone from here due to the negative whingers who love to poke negativity at practically everything they see here.

Hear hear. We’ve been through this discussion a million times already on this forum. I guess anyone is entitled to an opinion. Just don’t expect anybody to act on that opinion.

Now back on topic?

Most of them have long gone from here due to the negative whingers who love to poke negativity at practically everything they see here.

I agree. I really have no time for anyone who put historic aeroplanes at risk by using them to carry out these kind of stunts.

A big thumbs down from me.

Oh here we go again, so can you please tell us which historic (not to sure you can put a tiger moth in that one really anyway) you own and fly and what experience of flying such that you have?????
Not something I would recommend for sure but clearly someone very experience at what they do and great to see.

That was certainly expressed in my post! Criticism of what he did with his own aircraft never crossed my mind.

No? then why did you start this thread – on an open forum where people have a tendancy to express opinions?

I think the tone of the posting was in admiration and enjoyment of some some ultra-precise and spectacular flying.

I will nudge it back in that direction, and just add that whilst I would not wish him to do this in the Mosquito (as if ) I think the Tiger is sufficiently numerous that the aviation heritage of the world is not really under threat.

I guess as long as nothing is floating in the water your ok!

Well, whatever, each to their own. It’s his historic aircraft to do with what he wants to, and he consulted the authorities about it in depth and gained permission as they know his high skill level and they respect him, like we who organised the event do. Had it been anyone else suggesting it we’d not have considered the idea.

You might be interested that Dave learned to fly in this aircraft when he was was a teenager, several decades ago, as it belonged to his father who was a topdressing pilot, and he and the aircraft are in complete unison. As I have said, he’s the master of flying Tiger Moths. he has cared for it and flown it for a very, very long time and I don’t think anyone has the right to judge what he does with it. Dave and ZK-BEN are major stars on the NZ airshow circuit – which has not had all the adventure and thrill has squeezed out of it like some overseas airshow circuits by the sound of things.

Dave did it all again today too, very successfully. Perhaps some here don’t know the name but Dave is without doubt the master of the Tiger Moth displays – I have heard other seasoned Tiger Moth pilots say he’s the world’s best Tiger Moth display pilot and I know I have never seen anything as impressive as he does in his beautiful Tiger Moth. He’s is also well known here in NZ for his awesome displays in his Hunter, and more recently as the test pilot and display pilot of the Avro Anson MK 1, and the test pilot and display pilot of the Mosquito FB26. World class.

Very impressive, but please don’t.

Great until it goes wrong and we end up with a written-off aircraft – and maybe pilot too.

Ian

Best post today!

Haven’t seen such an amazing clip of a water skiing ac since this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGHQ1pYXsHo

Thanks! Very nifty piece of flying!;)

🙂