News

Happy New Year! We are resuming our quarterly newsletters! We've got news from across the state and, country, and around the world--in this issue, as far away as New Zealand.

https://wspa.wildapricot.org/resources/Newsletters/WSPA_Newsletter_Winter2024.pdf

This issue also features our President's Report, an AIS update on quagga mussels in the Snake River, opportunities for new seaplane bases, CFI and Maintenance reports from our partners at Kenmore Air, some history on the formation of the WSPA, and a wonderful Alaskan seaplane adventure by WSPA Secretary Don Goodman, who also contributed several articles regarding Lake Isabel. 

We've also got recaps of several fun WSPA gatherings from last year, with dozens of beautiful photos of seaplanes, members, and friends. And we've got more events in store for 2024, so save those dates on your calendars!

Finally, we've added a fun History section with historic seaplane photos, a Safety section, and a Destinations section. This issue we feature Tacoma and Puyallup, since we're looking forward to seeing you at the NW Aviation Conference & Trade Show, right after our Grounded Hogs banquet. Speaking of Grounded Hogs, be sure to reserve your tickets now, since this event usually sells out!

So, pull up a chair to your computer, because you'll find our newsletter is more like a full-color magazine! The goal is to give you more interesting, more fun, and more relevant to you aviation stories than you can get anywhere else! Read some today--save some for tomorrow!

Feedback and suggestions are always welcome, as are your good photos of your seaplane adventures, so that we can feature them in upcoming issues as well as on our Facebook page!

Thank you for your continued support!

Best regards,

Crista Worthy, Editor, Admin, and Social Media

and the WSPA Board of Directors

editor@washingtonseaplanepilots.org

208-906-4471

WSPA_Newsletter_Winter2024.pdf

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year! 

As you reflect on 2022, we hope you recall many positive experiences - and hopefully some that include various seaplane adventures! 

To ring in the new year, we thought we would take the opportunity to recap our efforts from 2022 and introduce a few things to come in 2023. Also in this edition of the WSPA newsletter, you will find two fantastic works submitted by WSPA Member, Bryan Thompson, and WSPA Secretary, Don Goodman. Thank you, Bryan and Don, for your contributions! 

We hope you will find in this new year new happiness, new goals, new achievements, and new inspirations. We look forward to being a part of your 2023 and you ours. Thank you for your continued support!

Best regards,

WSPA Board of Directors

https://washingtonseaplanepilots.org/resources/WSPA%20Newsletter%20-%20January%202023.pdf

We wish to thank everyone who participated in our Spring Rust Remover last week, and particularly those who worked hard to prepare for it. And thank you to Shane Carlson from Northwest Seaplanes for hosting and providing his experience and advice.  Below are links to the video recording, the slides and the Ross Lake procedures document. We look forward to seeing many of you at Priest Lake in June! Thank you, Stephen Ratzlaff, President WSPA Rust Remover Recording Introduction, Amphib Lessons Learned & Procedures, Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor, Lake Isabel, and Ross Lake Lake Union & Priest Lake Ross Lake Procedures Document

Now available for 2022: Aquatic Invasive Species Training 

Get ready for Spring flying by visiting Seaplane AIS Training  to complete the training and earn your certificate!

In this Fall/Winter combined issue of our WSPA Newsletter, you can read about the efforts made in 2021 by your WSPA board of directors and members to fulfill our mission as an organization and to support water flying in Washington and the Pacific Northwest. 

In addition, Addison Pemberton takes us on a flying boat adventure to Montana,  Scott Cooper recounts his hydraulic failure on a water landing, and we learn more about the history of Kenmore Air and their journey to becoming the largest commercial seaplane airline in America.

Wishing you all the best as we begin a new year! 

Warm regards,

WSPA Board of Directors

WSPANewsletter2021.Q3and4.pdf

This Memorial Day we honor and remember those who gave everything in service to their country. Our gratitude lies with these individuals and their families. 

As you enjoy your day away from the office, we hope you will take some time to peruse the latest issue of the WSPA newsletter.

In this issue, you will receive an update from our board president, Stephen Ratzlaff, on the ongoing efforts of our board and membership. Bruce Hinds and Scott Cooper supply us with the interesting history of D. B. Cooper as told by Bill Hoover, and Stephen Ratzlaff takes us on a well-referenced journey to the incredible Ross Lake in this month's Logbook Reveries. 

In addition to these pieces, we announce the date and location of our Summer Splash-in, and provide a brief review of our recent Spring "Rust Remover" Virtual Safety Seminar, with links to the videos and presentation included!

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and relaxing Memorial Day, 

WSPA Board of Directors

Please enjoy the latest issue of the WSPA newsletter. In it, you can read about recent initiatives undertaken by our board and membership, take a tour via seaplane with Don Goodman and friends through the state of Washington in this issue's Logbook Reveries, and learn about our first ever virtual event: Grounded Hogs 2021.

We appreciate your continued support and look forward to seeing you in 2021!

Sincerely,

WSPA Board of Directors

WSPA Newsletter 2021.Q1.pdf

Please enjoy the latest issue of the WSPA newsletter.

In this issue you will receive an update from our board president, Stephen Ratzlaff, on the ongoing efforts of our board and membership. You will also read some more interesting seaplane history provided by Kevin Franklin, review the importance of checklists in safe operations with Bruce Hinds, and travel to Stehekin, Washington with Amy Fenwick in a new column we're adding to promote visits to local seaplane destinations: Logbook Reveries.

Would you like to contribute to a future newsletter?

We love hearing from our members and appreciate when members share safety and maintenance tips, photos, and of course, anecdotes highlighting their memorable experiences and favorite places to fly. If you have something to share, please send an email to Scott Cooper, Board Member and Newsletter Editor, pilotcooper@gmail.com.

In 2013, the Washington Seaplane Pilots Association (WSPA) worked with the Foss Waterway Development Authority to enable the use of the seaplane float at the north end of the docks located at 535 Dock Street in Tacoma. 

This message is to inform you that the float has been removed from service for the duration of the winter months. You can look forward to a notification from us in the spring when it is returned to service.

Keeping waterways open to seaplanes is one part of an ongoing effort made by the WSPA on behalf of our members and fellow seaplane pilots. We provide member updates on seasonal access, and offer support in determining appropriate use and procedures for entry into known waterways. 

If you have questions about a specific waterway or destination, please send us an email and we will be happy to assist.

Best regards,

Washington Seaplane Pilots Association (WSPA)

Please enjoy the latest issue of the WSPA newsletter. 

In it, you can read about the training adventures of three new commercial MES pilots, a Super Petrel LS named Daisy, and various tips to prevent mishaps known to occur when operating amphibious aircraft. 

We would like to thank Addison Pemberton, Tonya Rutan, and Burke Mees for contributing their work and many great photos.  Also, thanks to editor, Scott Cooper for putting it all together.

As always, we appreciate your continued support. Enjoy what remains of Summer 2020 and we hope to see you at a future splash-in!

2020Q3 WSPA Newsletter_Final.pdf