Seattle, the San Juans and the clean pleasure of seaplane flying
Lake Union Air offers a compact, readable and very visual loop from Seattle toward the San Juan, Orcas and Lopez islands.
It is ideal for a light seaplane: short hops, easy-to-read water areas and a strong maritime travel feeling.
Pacific Northwest seaplane services.
An instantly recognizable urban setting.
Simple, agile and perfect for short legs.
Fine handling matters more than range.
Understanding the flight
The route works because it is compact. It does not need long-haul drama to tell a story: Seattle, sea arms, islands and the return are enough.
It is also a useful test route for tuning a seaplane, practicing approaches and comparing calm water, wind and light rain.
Before departure
- Use lively coastal weather, while keeping enough visibility to read the islands.
- Check fuel load: there is no need to carry unnecessary weight on such a short loop.
- Prepare each water landing with a proper look at the landing area.
- Keep the flight low and fluid rather than turning it into a simple GPS line.
Suggested route
Experience tips
This plan is worth repeating: clear skies, low ceiling, light rain, crosswind. Each weather setup changes the loop.
Do not chase speed. The quality of the water landing and taxi is the real measure of success.
© Michel Lagneau 2017