Welcome to the 2011 Mike Brown Memorial Splash-In

For over 30 years, Mike and Lois Brown owned and operated Cal-Vada Aircraft on the shoreline of Lake Tahoe with charter services, scenic tours and seaplane flight training. Their daughter, Pam, and son, Galen, worked with them for many years and grew up with the business. Although charted as the Homewood Seaplane Base, seaplane pilots just called it "Mike Brown's."

A graduate of Tahoe Truckee High, Mike was a Tahoe local for all of his life. A former Marine, he worked in the local ski industry and formed the first water ski school on Lake Tahoe.

After selling their marina in Tahoe Vista, Mike and Lois learned to fly in Reno and opened Cal-Vada Aircraft on Lake Tahoe. Mike held many FAA certifications, including ATP Single & Multiengine Land & Sea, CFI and A&P. Mike was also a Designated Pilot Examiner and many seaplane pilots earned their ratings with him on Lake Tahoe. Mike was a member of the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, the Seaplane Pilots Association, and the Quiet Birdmen.

It is to honor Mike's contributions to aviation, and seaplane flying in particular, that we establish the Annual Mike Brown Memorial Splash-In at Homewood. Please join Lois Brown, our EAA volunteers, West Shore Association, Lake Tahoe Seaplane Pilots Association and other seaplane pilots from throughout the west for a day of seaplane flying at beautiful Lake Tahoe in the memory Mike.  We also will remember and honor Seaplane Pilots Chuck Kimes  and Tyler Orsow, and pilot Larry Kolito. All were involved with this event since its beginning and have recently “Gone West”.

Chuck was our mentor, guiding and loaning supplies, for the Mike Brown Memorial Splashin. He received a multi-engine sea rating in Mike’s Twin Bee in 1974 and worked for Antilles Air Boats, owned by Charles Blair and based in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Chuck began his career flying the Grumman Goose and Mallards. On February 27, 2011, Chuck was in an accident in Dubai at the Al Ain Airport. There were no survivors. Another seaplane pilot and close friend, Tyler Orsow, from San Andreas, was also on board.

Larry Kolito was a founder of Truckee Tahoe EAA Chapter 1073, aircraft restorer, pilot, and “Beach Crew” member. He served as Navy Medic and saw combat with the Marines in Korea. We will miss his jovial attitude.

This year we look forward to a large turnout to pay respects to Mike, Chuck, Tyler, and Larry.

Mike & Lois Brown with Speedbump on the Lake Tahoe Shore

Video from 3rd Annual Mike Brown Splash-In