Day 54 - Seattle and Lake Washington

Tony Cacciarelli • Aug 07, 2020

Lake Washington and

Seattle - August 7, 2019

Slide title

Write your caption here

Button
Slide title

Scoping out the water conditions on Lake Washington

Button
Slide title

Mukilteo Lighthouse

Button

Original Instagram Post

An early morning marine layer delayed taking Steve up for a flight in the A5, but we eventually got out over Lake Washington in the early afternoon. We flew around the north end of the lake so Steve could get a feel for the handling. Then we did a few low passes to check on the water condition. It was marginal and ultimately we decided not to land due to some boat traffic in the area. Still, it was fun having someone else do the flying for a change.

We grabbed lunch nearby in Mukilteo. Nice little lighthouse they have there and the ferries run continuously bringing people and cars back and forth between Clinton and Lighthouse Park.

Tomorrow I’m meeting up with a couple other A5 owners and going to Lake Cushman. The marine layer is looking to make a repeat appearance, but we may still be able to get together in the afternoon.

😀👍🏼

This stubborn marine layer was a pattern for my time in Seattle. Once it cleared up the weather was great for the rest of the day, but it meant getting a later start than anticipated. I would've liked to do a few water landings, since that's the thing that really makes seaplane flying special. But, it's not like Steve had never landed on the water. We'd done that just the day before with Alistair in the Beaver.

We were also delayed due to low pressure on the front tire. I hadn't noticed it when I did my pre-flight, but once we had two people in the plane it was clear the tire needed air. Fortunately, Steve had a hangar nearby and a pump, so we were able to add some air and get on our way.

I think this might've been the beginning of a problem that would crop up a few days later. More on that when we get there, though.