April 24-27, 2025
Clear Lake, California
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The Skylark Shores Resort and the Clear Lake Flying Club invite you to join the 2025 Clear Lake Splash In which will take place in Lakeport and around Clear Lake, California, from April 24-27, 2025. The Skylark Shores Resort will be serving as the principal venue for the event with additional activities planned at Xabatin Park, Library Park, Lampson Field airport (1O2) and other locations in Lake County. With roots stretching back to the early 1980s, the Clear Lake Splash In is an event that enables seaplane pilots to reconnect with each other and share with others the magic of flying seaplanes. The Skylark Shores Resort is providing its docks and grounds to display some of the participating seaplanes, with additional docking and tie down locations available in Lakeport once the Skylark is booked to capacity. The 2025 Clear Lake Splash In will feature an extensive lineup of activities and seminars designed for both seasoned seaplane pilots and aspiring young aviators. These include a variety of seaplane flying skill contests that highlight the expertise of participating pilots and provide viewers with insights into the art of flying seaplanes. In addition to seaplane entertainment, this year's Clear Lake Splash In aims to underscore the significant career opportunities available for young people in the aviation industry. Boeing's latest Pilot and Technician Outlook indicates that the world will need over 600,000 new pilots and nearly 700,000 new technicians in the next 20 years. Capt. Murray Strom, Vice President of Flight Operations at United Airlines, emphasizes the timely opportunities in the field, noting that "With the expected surge in travel demand and pilot retirements, there has never been a better time to start a career as a pilot. United Airlines is investing heavily in our Aviate program to ensure we have a pipeline of qualified pilots for the future." Former Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Steve Dickson agrees noting that "Aviation is a high-tech, high-demand industry. The FAA is committed to supporting the next generation of aviation professionals through education and outreach programs. The opportunities are vast, from piloting and maintaining aircraft to managing the air traffic control systems that keep our skies safe." Clear Lake High School is teaching an aviation curriculum for the first time beginning this fall. After attending seminars at the 2023 Clear Lake Splash In, Lakeport Unified School District superintendent Matt Bullard worked with Clear Lake High School to apply for and receive approval to teach the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Foundation High School Aviation STEM Curriculum. This curriculum is available at no cost to high schools that commit to teaching it. The Clear Lake Flying Club is supporting the academic curriculum Clear Lake High School is teaching with hands on practical training at Lampson Field. Students participating in the high school's aviation program will have the opportunity to work on aircraft, fly a simulator and obtain flight training at the airport. Herb Lingl, the education director of the Clear Lake Flying Club, notes that "At the 2025 Clear Lake Splash In the flying club will present content designed to encourage the young people of Lake County and their parents to consider aviation as a career option. The Splash In will include free flights for young people under the age of 18, seminars outlining the tremendous career opportunities for young people in aviation and provide aviation related content designed to engage young people of many age groups." Seaplane pilots are encouraged to register early for the event since space for seaplanes to park on or dock at the Skylark Shores Resort property will be allocated on a first to register, first served basis. To make reservations at Skylark Shores Resort, call 707.263.6151 or visit Skylark Shores Resort. The currently confirmed activities for the 2025 Clear Lake Splash In are available at: 2025 Clear Lake Splash In Program. Additional activities and speakers will be added to the event agenda. Among the activities planned for the 2025 Clear Lake Splash In are a EAA Young Eagles Rally, a seaplane skill competition, seminars regarding flying seaplanes and youth aviation education and several dinners and other activities to enjoy Lake County. Seminars include a continuation of the flying club's series of seminars entitled Which Seaplane is Right For You, brief 10 minute presentations outlining the pros and cons of owning various types of seaplanes by pilots with extensive experience flying each of those particular aircraft. Additional seminars at the upcoming Splash In include a presentation about the AOPA High School STEM Curriculum, about the Clear Lake Flying Club's hands on youth flight training program, a presentation by Dr. Stephen Bateman entitled Many General Aviation Aircraft Accidents Are Not Accidental At All and a presentation about a ferry flight across the United States in a Taylorcraft on straight floats. For details about the seminars presented by the flying club at the last Splash In, please visit Clear Lake Splash-In Seminars. To stay up to date on the latest 2025 Clear Lake Splash In developments, please follow the Clear Lake Splash In Facebook Page. If you would like to serve as a volunteer to help with the production of the Clear Lake Splash In or with any other activities of the Clear Lake Flying Club, please visit: Volunteer at the Splash In To view photographs of previous Clear Lake Splash In events, please visit Clear Lake Splash In Photographs. |