Desert Splash Adventures

March 11, 2012  •  Leave a Comment

cessna 208 caravan amphibian Desert Splash Adventures is Metro Phoenix’s only seaplane air tour, and is located at Scottsdale Airport next to the airport control tower at the Southwest Jet Corporate Center. The aircraft they are using for this adventure is a Cessna 208 Caravan Amphibian with an upgraded, more powerful 850 hp turbine engine, synthetic flight vision, and room for up to nine passengers. During the air tour you will see the beauty of the Sonoran Desert and experience a water landing on Roosevelt Lake. The aircraft and pilots are from the bush in Alaska, where they normally operate charters with Island Air Express. Desert Splash is a new adventure that they operate from October through May. During the summer months the aircraft and pilots will return to Alaska to operate flights with Island Air Express.

 

After being greeted and briefed by our pilot, Tor Svendsen from Norway, I allowed the other passengers to get situated in the aircraft before I made my way up to the empty co-pilot’s seat. After a short startup and taxi, we departed to the East and flew over the town of Fountain Hills. Tor then turned towards the Salt River and followed the river up the canyons past Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, Apache Lake, and on up the Salt River Canyon to Roosevelt Lake. Once past Roosevelt Dam and Bridge, we turned towards the Tonto National Monument and their well-preserved Native American cliff dwellings. After viewing this amazing history from the air, Tor set the aircraft up for the water landing on the far side of the lake. I have always wanted to experience a water landing, and now I was about to get my chance! The water landing was much smoother than I expected and it was a bit surreal to be in an airplane floating on a lake in Arizona. Tor pointed out a few landmarks, Four Peaks and Haystack Island, while he turned the aircraft into position for takeoff. Once back in the air we went for a short trip up Fish Creek and the narrow canyon surrounding it. Tor then turned us to head back down the Salt River Canyon where we were able to see the Apache Trail as we made our way towards the Superstition Mountains. We flew past Weaver’s Needle and Flat Iron Peak on our way back to Scottsdale Airport. I have lived in this area my entire life and I have seen this part of Arizona many times from the ground, but it was truly spectacular from the air!

 

This is an amazing experience with majestic views of the Sonoran Desert, and is a must for any aviation enthusiast that has ever wanted to see this area of Arizona from the air and/or experience a water landing.

 

Desert Splash Adventures also offers a gourmet Sunday brunch option prepared and served by the owners of FnB Restaurant on Roosevelt Lake’s Rabbit Island, and there is also wine served from an award winning, Arizona grown, wine maker.

 

For more information or to book your adventure, contact [email protected] or check out their website http://www.desertsplashadventures.com/

 

A big thanks Colin and Tor for inviting me on this flight so that I could  experience this great adventure, it was truly awesome!


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