LAKEPORT — About 30 seaplanes will converge on Lakeport this weekend for the 27th annual Clear Lake Splash-In, the oldest and largest seaplane gathering west of the Mississippi.
“There will be a wide range of planes of all sizes, weights and types,” said Splash-In organizer Chuck Kimes, “from a big Grumman Albatross, which holds up to 30 passengers to quite a few light sport aircraft, such as the Beaver, which is used in bush flying in the northwest and Alaska.”
Grummans, Republics, Lakes, Cessnas, Pipers and DeHavillands are among the types of planes that will be on display above Clear Lake and as stationary exhibits at Natural High School.
Among the more unique planes will be a sleek Corvette-powered engine blue-colored aircraft that won the prestigious Grand Marshall award at OshKosh (Wisc.), site of the largest fly-in in the world.
Klimes said that he is aware of only one similar event, held in Maine, that may be older than the Clear Lake Splash-In.
“It is as colorful event as you are going to see,” said Kimes, whose company is SeaPlane Operations, LLC. “One of the things that has made this event great is the tremendous amount of cooperation we get from the whole community. Everyone from the City of Lakeport, the Regional Chamber of Commerce and Lake County has been very helpful.”
The city, the chamber and county Public Works Dept. and Lakeport Unified School District, as well as independent members of the community, are sponsors of the Splash-In.
Planes were to begin arriving and pilots will begin registering today for a program beginning at noon Saturday. Pilots will pay a $20 registration fee to cover insurance and other costs.
The Lake County 4-H will provide food and beverages during the day and a tri-tip dinner at Natural High School. Vendors selling commemorative items will also be present.
Sport-pilot expert of Adventure Productions will conduct a seminar on Saturday. Hamilton, a certified flight instructor, has a working partnership with ASA, a global aviation publisher. Adventure Productions has produced more than 40 sport-pilot movies over the last 12 years.
There will be a small admission fee for seminars and presentations, which count toward the Pilot Proficiency “Wings” program for those who are interested.
The program agenda includes:
Today
Noon. Begin pilot check-in and registration
Saturday
1 p.m. Discussion of seaplane insurance with Falcon Insurance, FAA safety seminar and film, “Water and Land Survival” presented by Sacramento Flight Standards Office
1 p.m. Pilot briefing
2 p.m. Seminar, “Sport Pilot and Light-Sport Aircraft. Who Can Fly LSA?” by sport-pilot expert Paul Hamilton from Adventure Productions
2 p.m. Spot landing contest
3 p.m. Seminar, “Earning Your Sport Pilot License”
3 p.m. Water bombing contest
6 p.m. Tri-tip dinner at Skylark Shores Resort
7:30 Raffle and awards ceremony
8:30 p.m. Seaplane flying presentation
Sunday
Departures until noon, when Natural High School field closes
Skylark Shores Resort is located at 1120 N. Main in Lakeport. Natural High School is at 810 N. Main. Additional information can be obtained by calling (877) 828-2286, or visit the event website, clearlakesplashin.com.
Contact John Lindblom at jlwordsmith@mchsi.com.
