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Hello Everyone,

N324MN and N162BA will be performing a recon trip June 14, 15 and 16 to Camp (Marion County Park w/ Boat Ramp) and fly "the TN River Gorge" near Chattanooga TN. Cristina and I will camp with Bronco ground support and investigate the 2 boat ramps for Icon-ability. There is ample parking near the ramps for folded birds (20 plus each). The KAPT airport is 2NM NW of the park. We will fly the Gorge into Alabama and back and look for boating marinas or Aircraft marinas to stop for a bite. By the time we drive/fly back on the 16th, we should have enough intelligence to plan a swarm in October timeframe when we are back from the lakes (in Canada).

If weather does not allow for the camping trip, I will fly down from Knoxville on another day in June to do pure recon.

Stand-by for more info. For those of you not familiar with the Gorge, it is a breathtaking part of the TN river with steep granite walls and dozens of sweeping banks. I will have all 3 GoPros recording the trip and if Jack is in the lead, we will have some nice George/Icon footage.

I will report back after the trip.

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I am leaving in an hour for Marion County. He is a picture of the Boat Ramp. It show 46ft Pole to pole. Will verify today.


ALSO FOUND A GREAT PLACE TO MOOR AND EAT ON THE RIVER! They even have floating bungalows for those who want to stay on the water

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Hey everyone, I just arrived at Marion County Park. The boat ramp was perfect. There’s room for about 22 icons. The people were very friendly and understanding of the airplane.

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It seems that Jack and I made a splash here at the Marion County Park. Got an honourable mention on their facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/search/top?...k%20campground

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We are back in Knoxville! The Marion County Park people were great and are happy to host 10-12 planes this October. They will block-off plenty of grass for tie-downs (bring your own lawn claws). I tried both ramps and both are OK. The one near the grass is rougher but fine to use. Both are 45' wide. More info and pictures to come! I filmed Jack (N162BA) flying ahead of me in the gorge.

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One last picture after Jack and us (Cristina and I) Ramped our planes at the park.

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Nice pics Michel

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What rpm do you use for step taxi? I was told 25kts, but wondering about the rpm.

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I usually start at 5,000rpm with forward elevator until I get on the step (the plane will surge forward) I quickly move to enough back elevator to prevent porpoising and get max speed, lowest drag. As soon as I am on the step with (some) back elevator, I slowly and gradually reduce the throttle to anywhere from 4,000 to 4,500 so I can get the Step-Taxi speed I want (25 to 35 knots).

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Thanks for the explanation. I’m still new to the Icon. How much forward pressure are you initially giving?

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I am full forward elevator until I feel the hull level-out (on the step) then, as the plane comes-up I gradually switch to just enough back pressure to dampen the oscillation.

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Where are your flaps?

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Always full flaps. The POH is very clear that landings, taxiing and take-off are all full flaps. I would love to hear from Bret Davenport as to the history for that setting. Most seaplanes are told to have flaps up for Step taxiing.

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Thanks again Michel. I wasn’t sure about the flaps. I think the rationale is that, in case the plane lifts off the water, flaps are needed for takeoff.