SeaBee Update: Home at Last (Well Almost)

At the end of the successful test flight a flyby before landing.

In our last report on the continuing saga of getting the APM's Republic SeaBee home we (Ben Taylor, Mark & Teri Lancaster & yours truly) were finally able to get the "Bee" back together and test run on May 22nd. It was hoped that we could get Doug Rozendaal to once again test fly the "Bee" before bringing it to SE Iowa but weather and Doug's schedule thwarted that plan. So yesterday, June 6th, APM director Mark Lancaster was kind enough to give me ride to Charles City in his Fairchild 24 to retrieve the "Bee" and act as chase plane for the trip home.

The SeaBee taxies to the gas pump. Mark Lancaster's "chase" Fairchild awaits.

After yet a few more last minute maintenance items were taken care of, I successfully test flew the "Bee" for approximately 1/2 hour. Upon landing and inspection it was determined the "Bee" was ready to head to it's new home. With the fuel topped off and my courage screwed up, the Fairchild and the "Bee" headed south. The fight to the Oskaloosa, IA airport, where we left the "Bee" for the evening, took 1.25 hrs.

Touchdown at the end of the successful test flight.

The "Bee" was then flown from Osky to the Ottumwa Industrial airport this afternoon and is currently hangared there until we can make the space available to display it here at Antique Airfield.

On the way home

Getting the "Bee" flying and home has been a long project and we would like to offer our "Thanks" to the following folks who helped in many ways to get the SeaBee flying and home to the APM:

Special "THANKS" go the Bill Kyle, Charles City Airport FBO, for his patience, help and support in getting the SeaBee flying and home to the APM. Finally we are extremely grateful to A.K. Young for his generous donation of the SeaBee and spare parts inventory to the APM.

The slightly disheveled test/ferry pilot on arrival at Oskaloosa. Oskaloosa Airport FBO Jerry Strunk on Right.

Brent Taylor