Random bored thought- Chicago sea plane landings

455 Bravo Uniform

455 Bravo Uniform

Final Approach
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455 Bravo Uniform
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As pilots many of us mourn the loss of Meigs Field in Chicago, whether we flew there before or longed to do so (like me who flew it on MSFS way before becoming a pilot). @Mtns2Skies thread about finding a seaplane got me thinking- is there anything keeping one from flying to Chicago and docking or beaching there? Other than causing a ruckus.
 
As far as I understand the laws, there is nothing stopping you from landing a seaplane in Lake Michigan. This guy did it on the way to Oshkosh in 2017. I remember it was a little blip on the news - people calling in a plane crash and what not, when it was just a guy who decided to put down on the lake for a short while.

As far as docking, all the Chicago marinas are run by a single company. They've got a link for Daily Dockage to accommodate the transient crowd, but nothing there about seaplanes. I have to assume that would be a "call and ask" thing. All that said, Chicago has put a lot of money into some of their marinas over the years, and they service some big boats. I have to think they've got somewhere that could accommodate a seaplane. And if nothing else, they've got plenty of mooring cans to pull up to.
 
EdFred said:
I would go quartersies on an SES if it was within a 25 minute drive of my house.
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Anything is within 25 minutes if you drive fast enough!

I'm in for a share! There's a harbor outside my front door so I'd call mine a 25 minute walk.
 
455 Bravo Uniform said:
As pilots many of us mourn the loss of Meigs Field in Chicago, whether we flew there before or longed to do so (like me who flew it on MSFS way before becoming a pilot). @Mtns2Skies thread about finding a seaplane got me thinking- is there anything keeping one from flying to Chicago and docking or beaching there? Other than causing a ruckus.
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It'd be fantastic to plant a seaplane right in the middle, there's even a narrow path some bush pilot could use. Need some guy who's getting ready to hang up his wings to do it as a last flight, lol.

1755012898697.png
 
SoonerAviator said:
It'd be fantastic to plant a seaplane right in the middle, there's even a narrow path some bush pilot could use. Need some guy who's getting ready to hang up his wings to do it as a last flight, lol.

View attachment 143973
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"Motorized vehicle use, bicycling, skating, skateboarding, or use of any other recreational pedestrian conveyance devices are not allowed within Natural Areas."
 
Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe said:
"Motorized vehicle use, bicycling, skating, skateboarding, or use of any other recreational pedestrian conveyance devices are not allowed within Natural Areas."
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So you could land a glider there.

Sec. 1-146. Motor vehicle. Every vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails, except for vehicles moved solely by human power, motorized wheelchairs, low-speed electric bicycles, and low-speed gas bicycles.
 
EdFred said:
So you could land a glider there.

Sec. 1-146. Motor vehicle. Every vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails, except for vehicles moved solely by human power, motorized wheelchairs, low-speed electric bicycles, and low-speed gas bicycles.
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Not saying it would actually be legal to land a seaplane there, but my understanding is that “motor vehicle” in legal contexts generally does not include aircraft or watercraft. See, e.g., https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/illinois/Ill-Admin-Code-tit-86-SS-195.105; 18 U.S.C. § 2311.
 
Neil Rubin said:
Not saying it would actually be legal to land a seaplane there, but my understanding is that “motor vehicle” in legal contexts generally does not include aircraft or watercraft. See, e.g., https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/illinois/Ill-Admin-Code-tit-86-SS-195.105; 18 U.S.C. § 2311.
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Yeah, but every state is different. Some say ANYTHING with a motor, some say anything that is to be used on or expected to be used public roads. There was a case that went to court between an individual and the State of Michigan on whether a snowmobile was a motor vehicle or not. The MSC ruled that it was because a snowmobiles fell qualified as "motor-driven conveyances that could be expected to be operated, under certain circumstances, on or alongside a roadway,we agree with plaintiffs and the Court of Claims that they qualified as motor vehicles."

I forget the details of why the case was brought, I think a DNR officer injured someone while riding a snowmobile, and the state tried to argue it wasn't a motor vehicle to not pay out under governmental immunity. If defined as a motor vehicle, the government would be liable, if not, too bad so sad. So in Michigan a snowmobile is a motor vehicle, but a golf cart is not. But in Florida a golf cart probably is because you can operate them legally on roads.

MSC decision:
law.justia.com

AUDREY WEST V DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (Authored Opinion)

AUDREY WEST V DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
law.justia.com law.justia.com

Also in Michigan if you get an OWI on a boat, it goes on your drivers license. So there is some crossover depending on the state.
 
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