Owasco Lake is a place frequented by leisure vehicles, but this weekend they will come from the sky.
The Seaplane Fly-In will draw spectators and aviation lovers to Emerson Park. Float plane pilots will flock to the Owasco park to meet other pilots, learn more about their crafts and, of course, show off their skills.
Forget the long paved runways - float planes only need large lakes for landing. The planes have floatation devices instead of wheels, so the main difference is in landing and takeoffs.
Often, the crafts will bounce on the water.
A group of enthusiasts rotate to different events to discuss safety, flying aircraft with floats, preventative maintenance and other issues related to the hobby.
The event will include pilot presentations, people sharing stories of their flying adventures and dock talks.
Pilots will arrive at Finger Lakes Regional Airport in Seneca Falls. They will be able to leave the airport at 10:30 a.m. and head for the north end of the Owasco park along the shoreline.
The event is conducted after Labor Day when the beach is closed and boat traffic has eased up.
Anyone is welcome to scope out the planes and chat with the float plane enthusiasts. Some are restored planes, others are home-built.
Some of the crafts are built by the pilots, but many use modern technology, such as a global positioning system and a radio, on century-old designs.
Some small planes can cost $30,000 while larger and rarer crafts can carry a price tag of $300,000.
The Cayuga County event is timed with a weekend event in Hammondsport at the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum.
A flying boat named The America will be built in Hammondsport.
The boat is a reproduction of a vessel Curtiss constructed in 1914. He was a pioneer in the building of such crafts.
The America will fly over Cayuga Lake this weekend.
Much of the boat was built in the museum. When fully assembled, and carrying fuel and pilots, it will weigh about 4,000 pounds.
Jim Peol and Lee Sackett will pilot the twin-engine flying boat.
For more information, visit www.glennhcurtissmuseum.org or call (607) 569-2160.
If you go
What: The Seaplane Fly-In
When: 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16
Where: Emerson Park, Owasco
Cost: Free
Attractions: Float planes land and take off from the Owasco Lake shoreline, discussions with pilots and other enthusiasts
Extras: Organizers advise spectators to bring a lunch
Forget the long paved runways - float planes only need large lakes for landing. The planes have floatation devices instead of wheels, so the main difference is in landing and takeoffs.
Often, the crafts will bounce on the water.
A group of enthusiasts rotate to different events to discuss safety, flying aircraft with floats, preventative maintenance and other issues related to the hobby.
The event will include pilot presentations, people sharing stories of their flying adventures and dock talks.
Pilots will arrive at Finger Lakes Regional Airport in Seneca Falls. They will be able to leave the airport at 10:30 a.m. and head for the north end of the Owasco park along the shoreline.
The event is conducted after Labor Day when the beach is closed and boat traffic has eased up.
Anyone is welcome to scope out the planes and chat with the float plane enthusiasts. Some are restored planes, others are home-built.
Some of the crafts are built by the pilots, but many use modern technology, such as a global positioning system and a radio, on century-old designs.
Some small planes can cost $30,000 while larger and rarer crafts can carry a price tag of $300,000.
The Cayuga County event is timed with a weekend event in Hammondsport at the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum.
A flying boat named The America will be built in Hammondsport.
The boat is a reproduction of a vessel Curtiss constructed in 1914. He was a pioneer in the building of such crafts.
The America will fly over Cayuga Lake this weekend.
Much of the boat was built in the museum. When fully assembled, and carrying fuel and pilots, it will weigh about 4,000 pounds.
Jim Peol and Lee Sackett will pilot the twin-engine flying boat.
For more information, visit www.glennhcurtissmuseum.org or call (607) 569-2160.
If you go
What: The Seaplane Fly-In
When: 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16
Where: Emerson Park, Owasco
Cost: Free
Attractions: Float planes land and take off from the Owasco Lake shoreline, discussions with pilots and other enthusiasts
Extras: Organizers advise spectators to bring a lunch