Page 14 - Twin and Turbine September 2017

is that the pitot-static and AHRS system is fully redundant. Lose one side, you’ll have a backup on the other. Lose both, you have a third backup with the steam gauges.
“One of our mottos as a company is safety should always be standard. Everything with a direct correlation to safety is built into the base price,” said Brown. “We were actually the first single-engine turboprop with the G1000, and then also the first to have the full GFC700 autopilot with the level switch and safety enhancements like ESP and synthetic vision. There is a lot of value already added in the Kodiak when it comes off the line.”
Back to Lake Travis
We splash down onto the lake with full flaps and 70 knots. A glance outside, I see a tall wall of spray shooting out from below the wing. The f loats smoothly glide us across the water as our speed reduces.
After approximately 1,300 feet, we come to idle and check our surroundings before Mark begins the shutdown sequence. We lucked out with there being little wind, the airplane bobs slowly in no hurry to drift. Mark hops out. I eagerly follow suit, unbuckling and making my way back through the cabin to the mammoth cargo door. A couple of seconds later I have joined the others outside on the float, standing just inches above the water and taking in the scenic views. Can’t help but think to myself – this is living life big.
For those who have not experienced a seaplane, it is an exhilarating feeling combining aviation and boating at first. The two worlds, both familiar to me, had yet to coexist. Now, I can’t wipe a smile off my face as I wave to boaters from a floating turboprop (wishing I had my swimsuit).
a seaplane of my own. T&T •
Soon, Mark has a camping hammock set up, with one end attached to the fuselage, the other to the wing’s bulky flap track. If I weren’t already sold, all it takes it one seat in that hammock and I idly start doing the math on when and how I can afford
Jacobs is a private pilot and general aviation enthusiast. In 2012, she earned her business degree in marketing from Oklahoma State University. Since then, she has specialized in aviation-specific marketing, working first for Piper Aircraft, and then as an aviation marketing specialist at Sullivan Higdon & Sink. Jacobs is now serving as the Director of Communications at the consulting firm Groom Aviation. You can contact Rebecca at rebecca@groomaviation.com.
Banyan
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12 • TWIN & TURBINE
September 2017