I ride as an observer frequently in a 185 amphib and the worst thing I have ever heard pilot say was, "Uh-oh". We fly at about 120-150 ft so the altitude difference between "Uh" and "-oh" is about 10 ft, or at least that's how my stomach felt.

Another time we ran the pontoon over an underwater obstruction while taxiing that made a long rip and damn-near sank us. Pilot beached the airplane quick.

Crosswind landings in the amphib are exciting, especially in a canal where you get a wind shadow effect from trees on the embankment.

The best airplane trip I was ever on was in a straight floats seaplane. It was a 185 also. We flew from south Louisiana to the Keys the loooong way. Spent the night in Appalachicola, FL. Then Key West the next day. It was a great flight in mid-Spring, clear skies and calm seas.

Flew to Mendoza, Argentina on a Bolivian C-130 out of Hobby one time. That was, "interesting". Refueled in Panama and Bolivia. Had to make a low pass to run people and livestock off the field in Bolivia. The field was in a tropical valley floor with steep Andes Mtns on each side. Making the turn with a heavy airplane between the walls of the valley was exciting.

I've always wanted to fly in a Catalina. Hope I get a chance someday.