Water Rudders

Gards · Post by **Gards** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 1:57 am

I know this can be a touchy subject for some, so if it bothers you then just hit the back button and read something else.

Anyway I am working up in the Western Arctic for a company that is new to floats up here. I however have only flown floats in my career so far. We have a a guy that is just starting out on floats has maybe 100 hours (approximate) anyhow I caught him taking off with his water rudders down and told him he owed me a case of beer. He figures he doesnt have to!! I dont really care one way or another but its kind of fun giving guys a bit of a ribbing about it. I have paid my cases of beer over the years, shouldnt he?? Is this an old tradition that is no longer happening?? He claims he has never heard about it before. So either I am out of the times or this is something that is no longer happening!! Do you still owe a case of beer if you take of with your water rudders down????

klimman123 · Post by **klimman123** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 4:28 am

You should give the newbie one gimme. Now that he's aware of the long standing tradition he should fess up when he does it again. Just a simple motivation to ensure people do theirs checks. I took off Red Lake once and I had 5 guys falling over themselves to get to a radio to tell me I owed them a case of beer.

twotter · Post by **twotter** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 4:59 am

No gimme's... A screw-up costs beer... Tell him to pay up!!

Spinner · Post by **Spinner** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 6:08 am

yup he owes you

Just ask twotter how many cases he paid me lol

interesting if you touch down in a crosswind with a little rudder on and your water rudders down it can weathercock you in a hurry. Speaking from experience.

twotter · Post by **twotter** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 9:51 pm

Well, I guess we won't mention who knocked the Beaver door in the water will we???

But at least anytime I ever got caught with my rudders down I would pay up..

180 · Post by **180** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 11:08 pm

No freebies, he owes you a case of beer.

And if he had any class, it would be at least an 18 pack.

cloudrunner · Post by **cloudrunner** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 5:00 am

Agreed.. it's gonna cost him.

However, does it cost him a "west coast" case 12, or the "two-four" that we call a "case" in the east?

spafloats · Post by **spafloats** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 12:33 pm

He owes a case of beer!

If he/she isn`t up to speed on this protocol of float-flying then make sure that they help "use" the beer with a bunch of float people and bring them up to speed with some hangar flying.

just curious · Post by **just curious** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 2:55 pm

If I see rudders down over Shell Lake, I'm coming over to collect.

rigpiggy · Post by **rigpiggy** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 4:31 am

Go see willard, he still owes me one for the lame excuse of trying to blow off the water before it freezes.

Stearman · Post by **Stearman** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 8:26 am

Ah some good old hangar flying should do the trick I 2nd that spa.

Cheers

Kernal Klink · Post by **Kernal Klink** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 10:11 am

Still a long standing tradition in Red Lake... Except when americans come in with thier rudders down. They seem to think the rule is b.s.
Ohh, and always hit up the Americans when they come out of camp with cases that haven't been guzzled down the night before leaving. Impose the "Beer Tax", and you will have plenty to drink.

phillyfan · Post by **phillyfan** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 2:07 pm

Beat the piss out of him, or name him here and he shall be blackballed for life

Rudder Bug · Post by **Rudder Bug** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 5:03 pm

That's right Gards, he definitely owes you the beer. I've been flying floats for over 25 years and the beer I paid so far would overflow an olympic swimming pool, to say the least.

Why don't you print this page and send it to him, on our behalf? That guy has to put his socks on and buy you that fricken case, apologize and drink it with you until both of you guys hugg tight and cry. Please make sure you don't fly the day after.

Let us know if it worked!

J31 · Post by **J31** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 8:47 pm

Well some people like beer and well some don’t drink. After watching many good bush pilots destroy themselves with alcohol including my father I am in the later category. Being a non-drinker I would tell you to pound sand or maybe just maybe you might get a “Root Beer”

.

Yes it is a friendly ribbing but it takes two to tango. Sounds like he is not into the game……..so drop it and don’t expect to “pay up” when you screw up

!
Keep in mind there are many reasons other than forgetting that one may leave the water rudders down for takeoff and landing

.

Ya read your disclaimer but had to put my 2 cents in.

bush pilot · Post by **bush pilot** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:03 pm

180 wrote

And if he had any class, it would be at least an 18 pack.

I didn't even know you had a choice, I always though it was a 24 regardless.

Lucky enough for me I did my initial flying up in NW On where there were no eyes on you. By the time I got down to civilization it was engraved in my head. Except one time!

ahramin · Post by **ahramin** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:12 pm

Have to say i would do the same. While it is quite possible that he's just not the responsible type, if he does not want to buy the case you can all pound sand. When i mess up, i pay, but i would never tell someone else that they owe me.

In addition, this obsession pilots have with beer is rather sad. I do not see any reason to encourage alcoholism. Especially in such a vulnerable group.

Airtids · Post by **Airtids** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:23 pm

Yep, he owes. Now, how about this one- do I owe the dockhand in Tofino for catching me struggling up current/ into wind to the dock with my rudders up??

Brint · Post by **Brint** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:28 pm

i agree. If you wanna pay up when you're caught, great....you'll probably get it payed back.

But if you demand the guy owes you beer and he doesn't wanna play along, you just end up looking like a prick.

twotter · Post by **twotter** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 12:31 am

J31 said...

Keep in mind there are many reasons other than forgetting that one may leave the water rudders down for takeoff and landing .

And they would be what???

J31 · Post by **J31** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 6:00 am

twotter wrote:J31 said...

Keep in mind there are many reasons other than forgetting that one may leave the water rudders down for takeoff and landing .
And they would be what???

Here we go again

. But then again the Twin does not have to worry about water rudders does it

.
In the late fall with temps below 0 one may to leave the water rudders down lest they freeze up. It beats making you look really stupid when they won’t come down on the next landing and you are sliding down the ice covered float trying to kick them down. Occasionally you may need some water rudder help to hold heading in a strong crosswind in confined areas. Mind you they can be retracted getting on to the step

goldeneagle_53 · Post by **goldeneagle_53** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 11:24 am

He does not own you anything since you have not given him anything. Besides hge already knew that he had the rudders down, for sure when he landed. The whole thing about paying somebody for something that is already part of their job (and pay cheque) was probably designed by somebody who likes to have control over other people and then some poor soul fell for it. I myself had to pay as well, but then again some people do it because it is the smaller evil compared to the alternative. My AME logbook is quite full and in the end that is all that really matters, does it not? As for your pal, I think you just try to get a freebie...

bush pilot · Post by **bush pilot** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 7:01 pm

Airtids wrote:Yep, he owes. Now, how about this one- do I owe the dockhand in Tofino for catching me struggling up current/ into wind to the dock with my rudders up??

I would have to say that he could poke fun at you every now and then however I am agianst dock hand's collecting for rudder's down. Now let me explain before every dock hand jumps on me.

Dock hands are just that "dock hands" they do not fly "yet" and therefore you do not get the chance to get revenge or collect if you will when they make a mistake. Another is that they are on the dock and are witness to numerous departures and arrivals all day, therefore the odds of catching someone are drastically improved.

Airtids · Post by **Airtids** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 7:33 pm

Unfortunately, this was so long ago that the unsavory character in question is now captain on a Beaver with more float time than me. I'm pretty sure I'm grandfathered, though...

Gards · Post by **Gards** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 11:58 pm

Goldeneagle its all in fun so take a pill. I am not looking for a freebie either. As far as I know its been a long lasting (ALL IN FUN) tradition amongst a small group of PILOTS (ie. Bush Pilots) By the way you wrote your post you wouldnt know what I am talking about. But thanks for your two bits, ill be sure to file it in the appropriate folder!!

Cheers Boys!

P.S. They guy read the forum and ended up liking the whole idea! He paid up in full and we are going to drink it together.

Water Rudders

Water Rudders

Water Rudders

He owes the beer

All in fun