Are There any B-18 float drivers left

B18rules · Post by **B18rules** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 3:14 pm

How many of us are there left and where are you

zero · Post by **zero** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 7:17 pm

Still a couple flying on floats up here in Campbell River and saw a few at Rusty Myers in Fort Frances, Ontario over the summer...they were all up in the weeds so not sure if they were still operational. Peter Kay of Kayair in Ear Falls, Ont still flies his regularly and saw a privately owned one in Crane Lake, Minnesota over the summer as well.

B18rules · Post by **B18rules** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 1:48 am

who has the one in Crane Lake? I think Rusty's is only running one out of Savant and one out of Fort. I think the Caravan's have taken care of the work from FF.

zero · Post by **zero** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 10:06 am

Not sure about the one in Crane Lake, he was just passing through customs one day...baby blue and white privately owned by a corporation stateside. Yeah, I only saw the Beavers and Caravans operating out of FF this summer.

CLguy · Post by **CLguy** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 10:57 am

It would be owned by Gino Palucci. He is a rich dude from Minnesota who is into frozen pizzas, pastas etc. They own a private fishing lodge on Brennan Lk. just north of Savant Lk.

onceacop · Post by **onceacop** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 11:57 am

Jeno sold the camp up on Brennen in the Wabikimi Prov. Park. The new owner is still running the 2 18's and a Caravan based at Sky Harbor in Duluth.

zero · Post by **zero** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 8:30 pm

Just put a picture of it in the photo gallery to peruse at your leisure. Would have put it in here if I knew how.

. ._ · Post by **. ._** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 9:49 pm

this one?

Nice looking bird! Man, I'd love to fly one of them babies!

-istp

zero · Post by **zero** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 10:14 am

Dats da one, thanks istp.

Taken about the beginning of August at Sand Point Lake Canadian Customs near Fort Frances, Ontario.

CLguy · Post by **CLguy** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 10:41 am

The pointy nose doesn't do shit for the looks. The round nose certainly makes the aircraft look better.

rexrunner · Post by **rexrunner** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 10:54 am

kenora had a beech in red lake this summer. heard they had a guy form pakistan flying it.

Blue Side Down · Post by **Blue Side Down** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 3:06 pm

Chimo and Sportsman's flew 18's out of Red this year.

Cannonballer · Post by **Cannonballer** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 3:50 pm

Kenora Air's Beech was flown by a Cdn ... nice guy too... Chimo still runs thier -18 need a couple engines this winter tho... Kay Air still runs one as well as Showalters ... thats it as far as NW Ontario as far as i know.

CLguy · Post by **CLguy** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 6:12 pm

There are still 2 operating out of Nestor Falls, ON. One with Northwest Flying and one with Nestor Falls Fly-In Outposts.

I believe there is also one operating north of Kenora as well and DAX Air in Red Lk. also operates one.

Cannonballer · Post by **Cannonballer** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 6:56 pm

Thats right .. i forgot about DAX. They werent in Red much this summer. But that is where they are based. I didnt know they used em in Nestor.

Hoov · Post by **Hoov** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 7:25 pm

What kind of niche did the beech fill? I can't say that I know much about them.

Cannonballer · Post by **Cannonballer** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 7:27 pm

Not sure really, Its fast... carries about 1900lbs over a reasonable distance, its fast, i guess it is somewhere between a Norseman and an Otter... did i mention its fast.

2R · Post by 2R » Sun Nov 26, 2006 8:22 pm

Where did kirsten go??

Cannonballer · Post by **Cannonballer** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 8:26 pm

She is still there. Contracts kept her and the plan out of town. In the fall anyway.

B18rules · Post by **B18rules** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 9:08 pm

hey cannon baller were you in RL this summer

Cannonballer · Post by **Cannonballer** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 9:10 pm

Idriveplane · Post by **Idriveplane** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 2:34 am

I think they were in YAQ till freezeup

CLguy · Post by **CLguy** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 6:45 am

Hoov wrote:

I can't say that I know much about them.

Lets just say they are the greatest float plane you will ever have the priviledge of flying. Never found a pilot who didn't love every minute of it. Well maybe a few minutes weren't so great at times.

Cannonballer · Post by **Cannonballer** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 4:03 pm

Thats what i keep hearing. Who knows maybe ill get to agree with you with some first hand knowledge in the near future.

B18rules · Post by **B18rules** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 5:24 pm

I will have to agree with CL Guy on that one fast in the air and the best floatplane in the world on a windy day. just like a sore wiener you can't beat it