A few days after checking Aaron out into Tumbang Naan (see previous post) I had the opportunity to checkout Isaac into one of our most challenging villages; Tumbang Marikoi. On top of being our shortest waterway, it can also be busy with lots of boat traffic, as seen in the above photo.
Because Marikoi is so short, we try to squeeze out every foot of available river for takeoff. Due to this fact, it puts us slightly around a corner making the majority of the river invisible to us in the cockpit. So, we have a helper stand on a dock and be our eyes for us. If we receive hand signals like the ones in the above picture, it means the river is unsafe and to wait. Once the helper determines the river is clear, he will put his hands down at his side and just stand there.
After waiting for a few boats to go by, finally the river was clear and Isaac poured on the coals. Notice the vapor wisps coming off the tips of the propellers. It was a VERY humid day, rain showers were in the area and it had rained all night. But, that rain hadn't made it to the river yet, because we were dealing with slightly low river conditions.
About 17 seconds after pushing in the throttle, the airplane is airborne, just missing some big rocks sticking out of the water. But you can't relax once you are off of the water, you have to start an almost immediate left turn. It's a lot of fun!
Landing is fun too! You essentially reverse to takeoff procedure and fly back into Marikoi around the corner and touchdown just beyond the big rocks.
