New Auxiliary Sponsons

When Bryan Shumaker purchased N108D from Bob Andrews in 2003, he planned to install auxiliary sponsons after flying it for several hours with just the spray rails.  However, on his first take-off from water in June 2003, Bryan did a little "pirouette" maneuver in ground effect, which damaged an aileron.  Subsequent inspection revealed other wing and hull damage, which is shown in other photos on this site.  Following these repairs, Bryan decided to add auxiliary sponsons before making any more flights off the water, probably a good decision.  Here are some photos taken by Mike Head, Bryan's A&P mechanic in Gaylord MI, who built the sponsons for Bryan.