DWHart24 Loc: Central Florida

I had the opportunity to do a photo shoot of a Pilatus Porter seaplane the other day. It is going up for sale, so that was the intention of these photos. The shots from the lake, I took back in July during a fly in. This aircraft is pretty rare. It is only one of three Porters in the world that is on floats. It is also the last Porter to ever be manufactured. It was on the cover of AOPA magazine a couple of months ago. This aircraft originally was supposed to go to Brazil to be an air rescue in the remote regions of the Amazon. That is not happening now as Brazil decided to go a different route on which aircraft they wanted.

After the photo shoot the pilot asked if I wanted to go for a quick flight. Uhhh... yeah. So we did a quick flight with a few touch and goes on Lake Apopka. Here is the link to that video if you are interested.

https://youtu.be/Sm1Fwt_DFnY

DSC_4529 by David Hart, on Flickr

DSC_4533 by David Hart, on Flickr

DSC_4538 by David Hart, on Flickr

DSC_4560 by David Hart, on Flickr

DSC_5170 by David Hart, on Flickr

DSC_5174 by David Hart, on Flickr

DSC_5182 by David Hart, on Flickr

DSC_5184 by David Hart, on Flickr

DSC_5199 by David Hart, on Flickr

DSC_5210 by David Hart, on Flickr

DSC_5214 by David Hart, on Flickr

DSC_5226 by David Hart, on Flickr

DSC_5242 by David Hart, on Flickr

DSC_5257 by David Hart, on Flickr

DSC_5264 by David Hart, on Flickr

DSC_5286 by David Hart, on Flickr

DSC_5302 by David Hart, on Flickr

DSC_5321 by David Hart, on Flickr

DSC_5337 by David Hart, on Flickr

DSC_5373-Edit-3 by David Hart, on Flickr

DSC_3771 by David Hart, on Flickr

DSC_3872 by David Hart, on Flickr

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Beautiful set of a beautiful aircraft.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

That is a wonderful series of a great plane. And you got to go for a ride in it, too. Great stuff.

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Beautiful set. What is that black thing near the end of the plane’s right wing?

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Looks like it could be a FLIR housing—Forward Lookin Infra Red—device for detecting people on the ground. Detects a heat source, and an image appears on a screen inside the aircraft. This plane was intended for search and rescue operations, so that was likely built into the wing as part of the set up for that. A FLIR operator would be inside the plane with the receiver and screen.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Very Neat! Excellent photos.

DWHart24 Loc: Central Florida

Thanks all! And wingpilot, I believe you are correct.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

We had one of the early, portable FLIR units for the helicopter when I was flying for the Alaska State Troopers, back in the 80’s. Now it’s built into the aircraft. It’s amazing what those things can “see.”

cullumjt Loc: Central Florida

Beautiful images; I enjoyed the video! I’ve only had the opportunity to go along on a couple of trips with a pilot friend in a small aircraft. Once to Vero and once to Gainesville...nothing like it. Thanks for sharing.

steve49 Loc: massachusetts

Looks perfect. Nice shots.

trackmag

How much?
How fast?
Range?

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

That is a great series - well done!

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

Very Nice set.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

First-rate photos of an interesting critter.

MT native Loc: Big Sky Country — Montana

What a great set of images. You did a wonderful job of capturing the true essence of the plane. Nice work. Your photos will help it sell, no doubt.