LAKEPORT— Over a dozen pilots landed their seaplanes this weekend at Library Park in Lakeport for the annual Clear Lake Splash In. For over 40 years aviation enthusiasts have come together to showcase their unique aircrafts while educating the community through free seminars and exhibitions.
The crowd watched from the boat docks and in their own boats as the planes flew in on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. filling Park Street and the surrounding area with a variety of aircrafts. This was the first year the event was held at Library Park as its prior venue, the Lakeport Natural High School, is a current construction zone where the county plans to open a new park at the end of October.
This changed the pace a bit as Ray Shipway, owner of Shipway Aviation in Cloverdale, noted that in previous years planes were able to land and dock on the beach, allowing passengers to climb aboard and go fly around the lake, which was not possible at Library Park. Despite the difference, Shipway stated “I have been thoroughly enjoying it, it’s been really great.”
Shipway has attended the event for many years, this year bringing along his Quicksilver Light Sport, an ultralight sea plane with both floats and wheels equipped for two people, thus requiring a pilot’s license to fly. Shipway’s plane stood out from others as the seats were not contained inside of a body but instead sit in the open air. Shipway shared that aviation and the role of a pilot is all about risk mitigation, ensuring the complete safety of the aircraft before takeoff and the importance of routine maintenance.
Another difference this year was that the event was presented by the Lakeport Main Street Association wherein prior years it was presented by the Lake County Chamber of Commerce. The event also coincided with the annual Taste of Lakeport which was held during the Splash-In on Saturday across Main St. in Lakeport. Security was in full force during the Splash-In as volunteers from the local Sea Scouts and Boy Scouts of America stepped in to patrol the aircrafts during the day and overnight until the planes are moved.
The Splash-In officially kicked off on Friday with the Pilot’s Dinner hosted by Tom and Ruth Lincoln. Tom Lincoln is the president of the Lake County Airmen’s Association. During the Splash-In on Saturday and Sunday the Clear Lake Flying Club presented an exhibition titled “Over Water: An Aviation History of Lake County.” As well as several seminars on aviation education, safety, seaplanes in Lakeport and celebrating seaplanes. According to Herb Lingl in his AerialArchives.com article titled “Clear Lake Splash In Lakeport 2023”, “The Clear Lake Flying Club is producing the Clear Lake Splash-In Seminars. The flying club produces seminars, workshops and aviation events to promote aviation in Lake County, California and provides resources to assist young people in Lake County to pursue career opportunities in aviation. He also listed a few types of planes participating in this event which included “Two Cessna 185s on floats, a Cessna 206 on floats, two Grumman Widgeon aircraft, a Lake Buccaneer, a Quicksilver on floats, a SeaMax and a SeaRey.”
More information including photos and prior events can be found on the Clear Lake Splash In Facebook page or website seaplanefestival.com.
