Seaplane Training Guide Special Edition

Additionally, you will receive, in both print and electronic form, our flagship publication, Water Flying, a bimonthly, full-color glossy publication covering training topics, safety tips, technical articles, pilot reports on seaplanes, and guides to seaplane destinations and events. We look forward to welcoming you to our family, and to a new world of unique and wonderful flying that will add enjoyable new horizons to your life. You will find a membership application on opposite page here, or you can go to www.seaplanes.org and join online. Thanks. Blue skies & calm waters. SPA MEMBERSHIP ACTIVATION FORM 2073 US Highway 92 • Winter Haven, FL 33881 Toll free 888/772-8923 • Fax 863/702-7588 • www.seaplanepilotsassociation.org Yes, I want to join the Seaplane Pilots Association and receive all the benefits of membership described herein. I understand that the Annual Membership dues are $59. Add $10 for overseas magazine postage. MEMBER IDENTIFICATION Name Home Phone Address Work Phone City/State/Zip Email METHOD OF PAYMENT (Enroll by mail) Enclosed is my check/money order for $59 ($69 overseas) Bill me Please charge my $59 ($69 overseas) annual membership dues to my credit card VISA MasterCard American Express Account # Exp. date Cardholder's signature Or enroll online at www.seaplanepilotsassociation.org. Click the "Join" tab at the top of the home page. Seaplane Pilots Association E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R ' S M E S S A G E 2021 Water Flying Special Edition 3 2 Water Flying Special Edition 2021 WHY SHOULD I FLY SEAPLANES? E A R N I N G T H E R AT I N G 2021 Water Flying Special Edition 5 4 Water Flying Special Edition 2021 The utilitarian elegance of flying hulls and amphibious floats. The serene promise of a backcountry lake. The precision ballet of step turns and water taxiing. That’s water flying, a unique form of aviating that may be rooted in aeronautical science but looks and feels more like performance art. Flying in a floatplane or a flying boat is as much like flying in a wheeled airplane as taking off from a fetch of sun-speckled water is to landing on a strip of lined, numbered, lighted, and tower-controlled hard-surface runway. The considerable challenge of mastering the skills needed to oper- ate an airplane on open water swept with a fresh breeze and an opposing current is exceeded only by the highly satisfactory reward of knowing you’re a member of an exclusive fraternity of pilots who have earned one of the most coveted credentials in aviation— a seaplane rating. Why get a seaplane rating? Any way you look at it, learning to fly a sea- plane will be a bonus to any kind of flying you do. For one, earning a Single- or Multiengine-Sea rating satisfies Federal Aviation Regulation 61.56, which mandates that pilots undertake a formal flight review every two years to stay current. Get a seaplane rat- ing and you’re good to go on 61.56 for another two years. But there are plenty of other good reasons to set your sights on getting the rating. One of those reasons is that learn- ing the basic skills required to safely operate a seaplane will enhance your overall piloting skills. Seaplane flying is much more hands-on, seat-of-the- pants type piloting than it is flying by the numbers. You develop a feel for what the wind and current are doing, and how to compensate. You’ll come to recognize when the seaplane climbs up on the step and is skimming along on the “sweet spot,” that narrow, lower- drag region between plowing and por- poising that precedes liftoff. The fact that there are no marked runways on the water means it’s up to you to read the conditions and deter- mine takeoff and landing direction, and scan for boaters, obstacles, and other potential hazards. There are no air traffic controllers to tell you where and when you can take off and land. In other words, seaplane flying puts all the decision-making in the cockpit. It rewards good skills and sound judg- ment—two attributes central to great piloting, no matter what you fly. So, seaplane flying keeps you cur- rent in the FAA’s eyes, and sharpens your skills as a pilot. That’s motivation enough to learn, but there’s another good reason to take up water flying— it’s just about the most fun you can have with wings on. Seaplanes open up an entirely new world of flying, travel, recreation, and fun. It’s a world acces- sible only to a fortunate few people, and aviators—seaplane pilots. ■ 800.390.4324 • www.airfleetcapital.com • Refinance, add New Avionics, add Floats • Get Pre-Approved and Buy with Confidence • A Variety of Aircraft Loan Programs AIRCRAFT FINANCING Proud Sponsor of Cadillac, MI 49601 HOW DO I BECOME A SEAPLANE PILOT? The simple answer to that question is that you become an official, properly credentialed seaplane pilot by earn- ing the FAA Single- or Multiengine-Sea (SES and MES) class rating on your air- man’s certificate, or in the case of a Private, Commercial or Sport Pilot flying a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA), you earn a seaplane endorsement in your logbook. The SES rating or LSA logbook endorsement is earned through formal instruction. The FAA does not spec- ify a minimum amount of instruction required to earn the rating or endorse- ment, so it’s up to you and your autho- rized seaplane instructor. It may be as few as four or five hours of dual flight instruction plus the check ride or instructor evaluation, or many more if you want to be razor-sharp on all aspects of handling a seaplane includ- ing operating out of confined lakes, docking, and river ops. The basic level of proficiency required to obtain the rating is nowhere near enough experience to arm you for the real world of water flying, whether in the balmy skies and shallow lakes of Florida or the rugged land and weather of Alaska. Insurance companies often impose their own minimum experience levels and, regardless, it is advisable to pursue additional training in the air- craft and area you plan to utilize. No written test is required for an SES or MES rating, but ground and flight instruction must be received and logged, and the instructor must rec- ommend you for the practical test. The practical test is administered by the FAA or a designated pilot examiner and consists of an oral exam and check ride. Each covers only those proce- dures unique to seaplane flying. The FAA’s Airman Certification Standards specifies those flight proficiency tasks the applicant should expect on the check ride for an add-on sea- plane rating. You can access Airman Certification Standards at www. The rules are different if you hold a Private, Commercial or Sport Pilot certificate and want to fly an LSA sea- plane. There is no SES or MES rating for a Sport Pilot certificate. Instead, a logbook endorsement from an autho- rized instructor is required before a pilot can operate an LSA seaplane off the water. See accompanying storyr for details. Training for a seaplane rating or LSA logbook endorsement has little to do with airwork. In the air a seaplane is an airplane—pull the stick or yoke back, the houses get smaller; push it forward and the houses get bigger. You will spend some time getting used to somewhat different handling in the air due to the floats and you’ll probably do a few maneuvers including stalls, but for the most part seaplane training is all about water operations. You’ll learn about idle taxiing, plow taxiing, and step taxiing. How to recog- nize when the seaplane is on the step, and when to lift off. You’ll practice normal, rough, confined and glassy water takeoffs and landings, sailing techniques, and docking and beach- ing procedures. You’ll learn to evalu- ate a potential water landing area for wind direction and strength and water depth and available landing/taleoff length, and check for obstacles such as markers, rocks and other hazards including boats and swimmers. And, most important, you’ll have fun. Lots of fun. It’s difficult to describe the experience of your first water land- ing—the approach over the shoreline, the gentle flare, feeling for the lake surface, the floats or hull slap-slap- ping the water, the airplane settling as it slows and, finally, coming to a gentle, bobbing stop. Take a moment to breath deeply and look around. It is a very strange and wonderful feeling to realize you are sitting in an airplane that you’ve just landed on the water, and in a moment you’ll be taking off from the water. Airplanes and water aren’t supposed to mix, but seaplane pilots know they actually are a wondrous combination. You’ll enjoy every moment of discover- ing that truth! ■ 2021 Water Flying Special Edition 7 6 Water Flying Special Edition 2021 E A R N I N G T H E R AT I N G T he Sport Pilot certificate was introduced in September 2004 in a laud- able effort to reduce the time required to train to become a pilot. It calls for a minimum of 20 hours of training compared with 40 hours for a Private Pilot certificate (under FAR Part 61 rules). Lowering the training-time requirement and thus the cost barriers of entry into aviation, making flying more affordable and accessible and, ultimately, growing the pilot population were the goals. The Sport Pilot certificate is intended mainly for personal recreational flying and thus carries some limitations compared with a Private Pilot cer- tificate. For example, a Sport Pilot can have just one passenger on board whereas there is no such limit for a Private Pilot. Also, a Sport Pilot can only fly under Visual Flight Rules in visual meteorological conditions; he or she cannot obtain an instrument rating or endorsement to fly under Instrument Flight Rules. See Federal Aviation Regulations Part 61.315 for Sport Piot privi- leges and limitations. One of the fundamental changes that came with the Sport Pilot certificate is that no medical certification is required; a valid vehicle driver's license can be used as proof of medical competence provided the prospective pilot was not rejected for his or her last Airman Medical Certificate. A few other restrictions apply to Sport Pilot medical self-certification. The new rule also created the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category of air- craft, which are smaller and have less power than most certificated aircraft. Sport Pilots are only eligible to fly aircraft that are either certified specifi- cally as LSA or were type-certificated prior to the LSA regulations and are within the LSA maximum performance and weight limitations. Maximum gross weight for a seaplane LSA is 1430 pounds, with one exception—the FAA granted a waiver to ICON Aircraft to raise the maximum gross weight of its A5 amphibian 250 pounds to 1,680 pounds, but for various reasons ICON decided to limit the A5 to 1,510 pounds. Sport Pilots and pilots with a Private or Commercial certificate can fly an LSA or standard-category seaplane solo following formal training and a log- book endorsement from a seaplane-rated CFI. (Note: if you’ll be flying an LSA amphibious seaplane with conventional tailwheel landing gear configura- tion, such as the Progressive Aerodyne Searey, you’ll have to add a tailwheel endorsement if you don’t already have it.) To get the Sport Pilot Seaplane endorsement, you must: • Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized CFI certifying appro- priate aeronautical knowledge and flight proficiency. The training should be no different than you would get for the Single-Engine Sea rating on a Private or Commercial pilot certificate; • Successfully complete a proficiency check from an authorized CFI other than the one with whom you trained; • Complete FAA Form 8710-11 for the new privilege and present this applica- tion to the authorized CFI who conducted the proficiency check. The FAA will send you a new pilot certificate with the seaplane endorsement noted. The basic difference between a Single-Engine Sea rating and the Sport Pilot Seaplane endorsement is that the Sport Pilot endorsement does not require a check ride with an FAA Designated Examiner and thus should be less expensive. Note, however, that with a Sport Pilot endorsement you can- not fly solo in a standard-category seaplane such as a Piper Super Cub or Cessna 185 on floats; you must have at least a Private or Commercial Pilot certificate with a Single-Engine Sea rating. What’s the Difference Between Sport Pilot Seaplane Endorsement and Private/ Commercial Pilot Seaplane Rating? 15 PR Wh a Se Co fly ca as kn for Co Pr sta I ch pla If Co What do you do with a seaplane rating once you have it in your possession? As noted earlier, it takes practice and experience to acquire the skills and confidence to operate a seaplane in a variety of conditions. But that doesn’t mean you can’t start enjoying the ben- efits of seaplane flying right away. It is true that few seaplane training schools and instructors will rent their aircraft for solo trips, even to students who have just completed their training course, but some do (check the train- ing directory in this issue.) Of course, the best option is to fly your own. Seaplanes—classic de Havilland Beavers, Piper Cubs and Super Cubs, Cessna high-wing singles, Lake Amphibians, attractive new LSAs on straight or amphib floats—can be purchased for just about any amount you are willing and able to spend. Owning your own seaplane opens up a world of possibilities—fly when you want and where you want in the type of seaplane best suited to your needs. One of the basic decisions to make when considering the purchase of a seaplane is straight floats or amphibs, or flying boat. Straight floats have the significant advantage of lighter weight and therefore better performance and higher useful load. There’s also fewer components to inspect and maintain. Amphibs offer the flexibility of operat- ing off hard-surface runways as well as the water, and the much greater availability of fueling options. A flying boat or hull seaplane, such as a Lake Amphibian, straddles the line separating a conventional land plane and a thoroughbred straight-float sea- plane. Most flying boats are amphibi- ous with a retractable landing gear so they offer the flexibility of an amphibi- ous floatplane. But without the added drag of large floats, flying boats can be faster—although speed is not a quality much associated with seaplanes. Most recreational flying boats do have a dis- advantage compared to floatplanes in that with the wing positioned much closer to the water compared with a floatplane, docks with wing-crunching pilings are off-limits. Of course, deciding from among the three choices of seaplane—straight- float, amphib, or flying boat—is the kind of problem we all wish to have. Once you’ve solved the problem and have purchased a seaplane, you can begin to enjoy all of the unique plea- sures they provide. Each year doz- WHAT TO DO WITH A SEAPLANE ens and dozens of splash-ins are held throughout the United States for sea- plane pilots and interested specta- tors. They range from a lunch gathering at a lakeside restaurant to the week- long splash-in at the EAA AirVenture Seaplane Base on Lake Winnebago in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Florida, a very seaplane-friend- ly state, has a number of splash-ins held on its many inland lakes. Indiana, Maine, and Washington state, among other U.S. states, also have major splash-ins. SPA’s Water Flying maga- zine publishes a Calendar of Events listing splash-ins, as does SPA’s Water Landing Directory app and the SPA website (wwww.seaplanes.org). One of the more popular uses for seaplanes is to reach remote fishing grounds, whether domestically or in Canada. Take off from your home base or water and fly directly to where the fish and the fish camps are and the people are not. Or, if you live in the Lower 48 and are up for the adventure trip of a lifetime, head for Alaska. The state has a network of small wooden cabins situated on the shorelines of remote lakes that can be rented for modest rates. Seaplane owner and pilot Tom Bass wrote a series of arti- cles about the Alaska cabin system for SPA’s Water Flying magazine, and he maintains a website with compre- hensive information about the cabins, including copies of his articles. See www.publiclakecabinsak.com With a seaplane at your disposal you can embark on an adventure trip to one or more remote lakes, accessible only by the most determined hikers and canoe- ists—and seaplane pilots. Camp, fish, hike, and relax, and enjoy the solitude and serenity. And be sure to thank your seaplane for making it all possible. ■ 2021 Water Flying Special Edition 9 8 Water Flying Special Edition 2021 E A R N I N G T H E R AT I N G • Private • Commercial • ATP • Flight Reviews/ Recurrency LakeHavasuSeaplanes.com • 928-733-7122 Havasu_rev4_ad.indd 1 2/26/21 3:19 PM Backcountry Flying Experience River – Lake – Wilderness Flying Floatplane Training and Scenic Tours PA-18 Super Cub and Cessna 180 Tours in Cessna 195 Kalispell, Montana 406-890-3419 www.backcountryflyingexperience.com Located in Glacier Park in northwest Montana Backcountry_new_ad.indd 1 2/25/21 4:02 PM Lots of great information is avail- able to pilots wishing to transition to seaplanes. The Seaplane Pilots Association and the FAA have infor- mative resources for prospective sea- plane pilots, as does the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and knowledge- able seaplane instructor/authors. SEAPLANE PILOTS ASSOCIATION The Seaplane Pilots Association's pri- mary focus is to promote safe sea- plane operations and to protect our privilege to share our nation's water- ways with other recreational, govern- ment and commercial operators. SPA staff, field directors and mem- bers work around the nation to ensure our fair access to waterways. SPA is the only organization in the world solely dedicated to advocating for seaplane pilots and operators at local, state and national levels. We do this by working with pilots, communities and govern- ing agencies to resolve conflicts and ensure fair and equal access through positive outreach. We educate policy- makers and the public with programs and materials so decisions can be made from an informed perspective. Along with advocacy, the pri- mary benefits of being a member of the Seaplane Pilots Association are a members-only subscription to the bimonthly Water Flying magazine—the only full-color glossy magazine dedi- cated to covering the events, news and opportunities that the seaplane flying community has to offer. Along with receiving the Water Flying print edition, each active member has access to an online electronic copy of the magazine Another great benefit of SPA membership is access to the Water Landing Directory. The Water Landing Directory is available both online and via a mobile app for iPhones, iPads and Android devices. Features of the Water Landing Directory app and web direc- tory include: • Listing of known regulations affect- ing waterways • A comprehensive listing of sea- plane bases across the country, with search capability • A comprehensive listing of seaplane fuel locations across the country with search capability • A complete listing of seaplane train- ing flight schools in the U.S. and internationally • Seaplane destinations and events guides SPA’s website (www.seaplanes.org) has many information resources for rated and prospective seaplane pilots including a description of regulations affecting seaplanes; water flying infor- mation for each U.S. state; a primer on aquatic invasive species and how seaplane pilots can be part of the solu- tion; front-burner advocacy issues; and a Calendar of Events, among other information resources. You also can join the Seaplane Pilots Association or renew your membership from the website or become a Lifetime member of the association. The website also has a Shopping section with sea- plane merchandise includ- ing hats, jackets, t-shirts, belts, an SPA flag and several excellent water flying instructional and pilot proficiency books. The following books and DVDs are available; just click on the seaplanes. org “Shopping” button to view and order. Notes of a Seaplane Instructor is a distillation of all the tips, techniques and procedures learned over the years by a veteran seaplane flyer and teach- er, presented in an easily understood and informative style. Author Burke Mees has an affinity for the feel of the floats on the water and how to commu- nicate that in writing as well as a sensi- ble, professional approach to seaplane flying. This is a resource you will turn to often for insight and guidance. With several hundred thousand cop- ies sold, How to Fly Floats by JJ Frey probably is the number-one-selling seaplane training book of all time. This 65-page handbook is a quick and concise resource for knowing exactly what you need to know to earn your seaplane rating. Topics include preflighting; taxi- ing; takeoffs and land- ings; sailing; rules of the road; mooring; dock- ing and beaching; flying amphibians; service and maintenance; getting your rating; and inland restrictions. Seaplane Pilot is a great book for pilots looking to earn a seaplane rat- WHERE CAN I GET INFORMATION? ing, and those who may already have it and want to expand the depth of their knowledge. This comprehensive 398- page book by Dale DeRemer provides a deeper, more academic discussion of water flying than most other seaplane training books. Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/ Ski-Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook is the official book pub- lished by the FAA on seaplane training. We have to take our hats off to the FAA on this one for a job well done. The Handbook is one of our favorite seaplane training books. At an easy-to- read 80 pages, it is used as the primary training book and study guide by many seaplane schools in the United States. Seaplaning is written by Mike Kincaid, who began flying seaplanes from Lake Hood, Alaska, in 1978. Piloting Super Cubs, Cessnas, and Beavers for the Alaska Department of Public Safety and the Civil Air Patrol, he adventured through much of Bush Alaska as a Trooper. He has operated two seaplane instruction schools and has been an FAA-Designated Seaplane Pilot Examiner in north Idaho, where he also flies a variety of seaplanes for fun. Although not a seaplane-specif- ic training manual, The Lost Art is a unique approach to providing the read- er with tailwheel flying knowledge and proficiency. Author Burke Mees pro- vides his informed insight on tailwheel operations and practical tailwheel-fly- ing techniques through the device of an action adventure novel. He delves deep into the tailwheel underworld to reveal long-hidden ancient secrets of tailwheel flying. You’ll enjoy and learn from this book. Seaplane flying is an exciting way to rediscover the fun and freedom of fly- ing or add the rating that pilots covet, and So You Want to Fly Seaplanes is a great place to start on that adven- ture. In this 90-minute DVD you’ll travel to the famous Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base in Florida for a complete look at what flying seaplanes is all about. Climb into the back seat of a Piper J-3 Cub on floats for a pilot’s eye view of all the maneuvers required for the FAA checkride. Learn the different taxi techniques you’ll use, how to read the S E A P L A N E T R A I N I N G R E S O U R C E S 2021 Water Flying Special Edition 11 10 Water Flying Special Edition 2021 2021 Water Flying Special Edition 13 12 Water Flying Special Edition 2021 wind and the water, and how to master water takeoffs and landings. Along the way, you’ll get real-world tips to help advance your skills from noted sea- plane instructors Jon Brown and John Rennie. Success of the Step is the story of a unique group of people who have never wavered from the principle on which the company (Kenmore Air) was found- ed: do the right thing. It is a fascinating story about glacier landings and moun- tain rescues and threading an amaz- ing variety of seaplanes through the mist-shrouded islands of the Pacific Northwest. It is also a story of how to succeed in business, for Kenmore Air's real triumph has been demonstrating that the only truly reliable ingredients for success are honesty, integrity and respect. THE KNIGHTS OF AVALON For more than 100 years Avalon Bay on Santa Catalina Island, California, has been the romantic backdrop for celebrities and spectacular aircraft. If you love a good seaplane story, especially a "true" one that would inspire a crazy seaplane song by Jimmy Buffett, then this is a must-read book that features plenty of sea- plane hijinx and an honest history of a magical time on the island of Catalina. Alaska Justice and Alaska & Beyond by Mike Kincaid feature glaciers, grizzlies, blizzards, plane crashes, even crazed- killers—nothing stops Trooper/Bush Pilot Jack Blake from administering frontier justice. Alaska & Beyond, the sequel to Alaska Justice, is the con- tinuing adventures of Alaska Trooper/ Bush pilot Jack Blake and Jet. ALASKA’S BUSH PILOTS… THE REAL DEAL This DVD is about the wonderful lives of Alaskan bush pilots. It takes you into the cockpit, deep into the wilderness. You will experience the truly magnifi- cent landscapes of these remote areas and learn the truth about these avia- tors. If you have ever dreamed of flying at treetop level and having and having an adventure of a lifetime, then this movie is made for you! 60 DEGREES NORTH This 66-minute DVD provides a fas- cinating bush pilot's view of Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territories and British Columbia. Above the 60th parallel lies a land of rugged wilderness and scenic splen- dor. On this grand stage one bush pilot, his de Havilland Beaver and his faithful canine make an epic 2000-mile jour- ney few have ever completed. Sparsely narrated, rich in scenery and music, this video was produced to be seen again and again. SEAPLANE FOUNDATION The resources of the Seaplane Pilots Association are stretched thin by the need to confront the constantly evolv- ing variety and scope of challenges to seaplane access to public waterways across the country. As it is with other national general aviation associations, SPA’s annual membership dues rev- enue is not sufficient to support the efforts necessary to be both an effec- tive advocate for the seaplane commu- nity and also provide other important member benefits such as pilot educa- tion and outreach programs. SPA’s board of directors responded to the need by authorizing the forma- tion of the Seaplane Foundation, char- tered by the IRS in 2008 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. The Seaplane Foundation works to protect and promote the water fly- ing community through advocacy, community development, science and education. The Foundation magni- fies the efforts of the Seaplane Pilots Association by developing communi- ty activities, conducting safety pro- grams seminars and seaplane work- shops, creating educational programs, addressing threats to seaplane access such as invasive species, and building the next generation of seaplane pilots through scholarship and youth devel- opment programs. Learn more about the Seaplane Foundation at www.seaplanefounda- tion.org FAA AIRMAN CERTIFICATION STANDARDS (ACS) Practical Test Standards—what the oral and check ride require—for sea- planes are contained within the sepa- rate Airmen Certification Standards for ATP, Commercial, and Private Pilots. The FAA describes the ACS as “an enhanced version of the Practical Test Standards (PTS). It adds task-specific knowledge and risk management elements to each PTS Area of Operation and Task. The result is a comprehensive presentation that integrates the standards for what an applicant needs to know, consider, and do in order to pass both the knowl- edge test and the practical test for a certificate or rating.” To view the ACS for each pilot certificate go to: https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/ testing/test_standards/ Printed copies of Airmen Certification Standards are available from a number of publishers. WHEN ON THE WATER Any time a seaplane is operating on the water, whether under power or not, it is required to comply with U.S. Coast Guard navigation rules applicable to vessels. The USCG rules say, in part, “A seaplane on the water shall, in general, keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation...” The FAA states that CFR Section 91.115 should ensure compliance with those USCG rules. Here is the open- ing statement in 91.115: “Each person operating an aircraft on the water shall, insofar as possible, keep clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navi- gation, and shall give way to any vessel or other aircraft that is given the right- of-way by any rule of this section.” It is highly recommended that you be familiar with both sets of rules—USCG and FAA. Here’s the web address for USGS inland and international naviga- tion rules: https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?page Name=NavRulesAmalgamated STATE REGULATIONS The best source of information on what waterways are open to seaplane opera- tions is SPA’s Water Landing Directory app. It is a comprehensive listing by state of regulations affecting sea- planes; and waterways that are open to seaplane operations, allow for restrict- ed operations, or are closed to seaplane operations. The information is provided to SPA by its members; the information should be checked with the waterway’s controlling authority before departing.■ S E A P L A N E T R A I N I N G R E S O U R C E S AL ABAMA WaterWings Seaplane School 2013 Bridgelake Dr., Hoover, AL 35244 Contact: Charles Welden: (tel) 205-651-7000; 888-I-FLY-WET; 888-435-9938 Email: iflywet@gmail.com Website: waterwings.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Aviat Husky A-1B Amphibian (SES) $325 N/A Super Petrel Light Sport $325 N/A Grumman G44A Super Widgeon (MES) $450 N/A Lockwood AirCam Amphibian $350 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost Commercial Multiengine Sea (G44A) 4-6 $6500 Pvt/Commercial Single-engine Sea 4-6 $2500 Light sport (SES) 4-6 $2500 Package rates include checkride 2 0 2 1 S E A P L A N E T R A I N I N G D I R E C T O R Y AL A SK A Acme Cub Training 3610 Aircraft Drive Unit A, Anchorage, AK 99502 Contact: Steven Williams: 907-250-6030 (tel) Email: acmecub@gmail.com Website: http://acmecub.blogspot.com Instagram: acmecub Hourly Rates Dual Solo PA-18-150 Skis $350 N/A PA-18-150 Floats $350 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost Single Engine Seaplane SES Training with checkride 5.5 $3350 Flight Review - BFR in our Cub 2 $800 Flight Review - BFR in your aircraft 2 $600 Comments: Our office is now located in a new hangar at Lake Hood. This new location provides a great maintenance facility, classroom space, and pilot lounge. ACME Cub Training offers float training, back-country/off-airport train- ing, and ski training. We teach pilots how to identify usable landing areas and make “go/no-go” decisions. We teach pilots to notice the conditions and factors that lead to the dreaded “Moose Stall'' and how to avoid these situations. Float instruction season begins in May each year when the ice goes out at the Lake Hood Seaplane Base. We have been giving floatplane instruction at Space 801 since 1991. The curriculum is fine-tuned and teaches pilots to be safe and capable to fly in the conditions they will experience in the Alaska bush. Our Single-Engine Seaplane course includes a segment to individualize the training to the student’s needs. We focus this time on the areas that the student is having difficulty with, or we add advanced techniques when work- ing with a pilot that progresses ahead of schedule. Alaska Float Ratings Alaska Float Ratings P.O. Box 4, Moose Pass, AK 99631 Contact: Vern Kingsford, owner: 907-362-9178 (tel); 907-288-3647 (fax) Email: vernkingsford@yahoo.com Website: www.alaskafloatratings.com www.scenicmountainair.com 2021 Water Flying Special Edition 15 14 Water Flying Special Edition 2021 H How many times have you seen another pilot stare wistfully at a passing floatplane or flying boat and mumble, “I’ve always wanted to get a seaplane rating.” So what’s holding them back? Earning the Single-Engine Sea rating may be the most enjoyable aviation training experience a pilot can have. There’s just something about landing an airplane on the water—and then being able to take off—that sets seaplane flying apart from every other form of aviating. As any seaplane-rated pilot will attest, learning the skill set required to fly a seaplane safely and well is a thoroughly satisfying experience. What is not always understood outside the seaplane community is the breadth of training choices available. For example, the rating can be earned quickly—in a weekend—or combined with a true bush-flying adventure that may take a week or longer. And then there’s the choice of flying machine in which to train. Do you fancy a minimalist, straight-float Piper Cub, a familiar Cessna 172 modified for the water, a more-powerful Maule on amphibious floats, a Lake Amphibian flying boat, or one of the new Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) flying boat or floatplane designs? Earning the SES rating should not be the end goal, either. Want to add the word “Multi” to your pilot creden- tials? Plenty of aircraft options there, too, from an AirCam to an Albatross, and everything in between. You could even sign up for training in a Twin Bee and earn the trifecta—a Multiengine rating, a Multiengine-Sea rating, and a tailwheel endorsement. But seaplane training is not just about earning ratings. Training shouldn’t end once you have the rating, especially if you are not flying on and off the water regularly. From regaining proficiency in the basics of seaplane flying to learning more advanced sailing and docking techniques, training is a process that should be pursued regularly. What to train for, what to train in, where to train, and who to train with—all of those questions can be answered in the following pages. The information also is available on the Seaplane Pilots Association website (www.seaplanepilotsassociation.org) in the Members section (click on “Operators”). If you don’t have a seaplane rating yet, or know of pilots who don’t, here’s your resource to get started. If you are rated, maybe it’s time to take the next step and take some refresher or advanced training, or even add that long- sought Multiengine Sea to your certificate. Water Flying’s 2021 Seaplane Training Directory of seaplane flight schools and instructors is intended to be comprehensive, but if we’ve missed someone please let us know. We’ll update the website listings. Comments: WaterWings is a one-stop shop for Single- Engine and Multiengine Sea ratings. Adding a seaplane rating or just getting current should be a fun, relaxing, and safe treat for any pilot, and our goal is to help you achieve just that. Our instructors and even our examiners strive to make this a great lifetime memory. Our location, KEET, just south of Birmingham, provides great service and easy access to area lakes, which offer a mix of river and lake environments, with varied and stunning views of the Alabama wilderness. We often see eagles, herons, geese, ducks, and other residents of our waterways. We fly off the Coosa River, Lay Lake, Lake Mitchell, Logan Martin Lake, and Lake Martin. If you want other flying adventures while visiting our facility or just need to get current, we offer several other hard-to-find treats. We offer Multiengine Land in our Piper Twin Aztec. We have tailwheel training in our Piper J3 Cub. We offer Aerobatic, Spin and Upset Training in our American Champion Super Decathlon. We have an examiner on staff. www.traillakeview.com www.alaskafloatratingsreviews.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Piper PA-18-150 $300 N/A Cessna 172-180 $350 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost Optimal SES Rating Extra time if not current 10 $2999 Adventure Course Lots of extra time to explore 15 $4299 SES Rating Float Flying in Mountains 6 $2299 Advanced/Recurrent SES Float Refresher 3 $999 Mountain Flying Mountain & Canyon Inst. 6 $1899 Flight Review on Floats 1 $565 Alaska Floatplane Safari 2 nights lodging & meals 12 $4299 Comments: Float flying May through Sept. “This is the real thing.” Examiner on site, fee $500. Dual only. Free $1900 mountain flying course with your SES rating. Small cabins and three-bedroom luxury cottage available. See website for SES courses with lodging. Alaska Floatplane Safari includes two nights lodging and meals. Alaska Floats & Skis, Inc. P.O. Box 139, Talkeetna, AK 99676 Contact: Don Lee, Founder/CEO: 907-733-4500 Email: scheduling@alaskafloats.com Website: alaskafloats.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo PA-22 160, 160 HP $350 NA Course Rates Hours Cost SES Rating 6 $2775 Checkride $600 Includes three nights lodging on lake, five hours ground school, one-hour survival course, and the course syllabus and book, Notes of a Seaplane Instructor. Bush Pilot 5 $2275 Includes three nights lodging on lake, three-hour ground school, and one-hour survival course. Ski Pilot 5 $2275 Includes three nights lodging on lake, three hours ground school, and glacier house rental option. Comments: Experience real backcountry flying with views of the Alaskan Range and majestic Denali. Our seaplane base and lodge are located only two miles from beauti- ful, downtown Talkeetna. Each course includes ground instruction, training material, and three nights of lodging. Already have your float rating? Come rent a floatplane with an instructor; go where you like, fish, hike, and explore. We also offer recurrent seaplane training, advanced seaplane training, flight reviews, bush flying training, and skiplane training. Please see website for full pricing list. We will put together a package that is just right for you. Alaska Flying Adventures 3609 N. Gunflint Trail., Wasilla, AK 99623 Contact: Alan Carpenter: 907/202-6402 Email: alancarpenter6969@aol.com Website: alaskaflyingadventures.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Cessna 185 on EDO 3430 floats $565/hr N/A Cessna 172 on PK 2300 floats $395/hr N/A Course Rates We provide seaplane training at the private and com- mercial level. Add-on float ratings typically take five to seven hours, plus the checkride. Examiners charge $700. Designated pilot examiner on staff. In addition to add-on seaplane ratings, we offer insurance checkouts, advanced floatplane operation training, and a mountain flying course. Our specialty is training airline pilots for their ASES add-on rating and recurrent training. Comments: Are you considering a floatplane rating or doing recurrent or advanced seaplane training? Then call Alaska Flying Adventures. Located just one hour north of Anchorage, Alaska, by car, or a mere 15-minute flight from Lake Hood Seaplane Base, we offer the most convenient, time-saving floatplane courses in the most beautiful place in North America: ALASKA! Training takes 21/2 days to complete, and all study materials are sent to you in advance so your down- time can be spent fishing or just relaxing on our dock. Arctic Flyers Lake Hood, Anchorage, Alaska Contact: Heidi Ruess, owner: 907-243-3953 (tel); 907-242-0413 (cell/pgr) Email: rruess@gci.net Website: arcticflyers.net Hourly Rates Dual Solo Taylorcraft F-19 $240 N/A Taylorcraft BC12D $240 N/A Cessna 172 PK 2300 $350 Course Rates Hours Cost SES Flying - Ground School 4 $240 Comments: Two Taylorcraft F-19 floatplanes, BC-12D and F-19 and a Cessna 172 on PK 2300 floats. Dual only. Flight instruction provided by two experienced flight instructors, each with more than 32,000 hours flight time, working out of Lake Hood since 1967. Our main goal is safety and the success of our students. Blue River Aviation 780 E Yukon St. Hangar 104, Palmer AK 99645 Contact: 907-414-0371 Email: fly@blueriveraviation.com Website: https://www.blueriveraviation.com/float-rating Hourly Rates Dual Solo PA-18-150 180 HP $375 N/A Cessna 172 180 HP $300 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost PA-18-150 180 HP 6 $2400 Cessna 172 180 HP 6 $1900 Our floatplane add-on course includes up to six hours in the plane, ground training and the checkride flight (checkride fee not included). The course takes two to three days to complete including the checkride. Comments: Learn to fly floats in our Super Cub or C172, landing on beautiful remote lakes in Alaska. Our float- plane course will include flying around the Talkeetna and Chugach mountain range and finishing up with a check ride in Talkeetna. We also offer seaplane refresher courses and off-airport, backcountry mountain training. Our flight school is located one hour north of Anchorage in Palmer, Alaska. Dragonfly Aero Seaplane Training P.O. Box 2420, Homer, AK 99603 Contact: Alex Clark, owner: 907/226-2899; 907-299-3299 (cell) Email: dragonfly@ alaska.net Website: dragonflyaero.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo PA-18-160hp on floats $299 N/A Your plane, winter or summer $50/hr N/A Course Rates Hours Cost SES package, comm. or private, 8 hours flight, 4 hours ground time, plus three nights in guest cabin 8-10 $2895 SES package without guest cabin $2595 Checkride fees additional and paid to independent examiner. Flight review in our plane $350 Flight review in your plane $100 Summer guest pilot cabin rates: $125 per night for two peo- ple max, plus sales tax. Winter cabin rates: $90 per night. Comments: Homer is my hometown, and we are here all year. We have two inflatable two-person kayaks and some fly-fishing gear. I am also a freshwater fishing guide. Float- flying season is May through early October, depending on when spring thaw occurs. We will make a cross-country flight to the examiner. Flightseeing flights. Our guest cabin has a queen bed, double futon, fridge, microwave, barbe- cue, dining table, plates, TV, DVDs and a restroom with a shower. We have a 7.85% local sales tax which caps at any- thing over $500. Call or email any time. Foothill Aviation Lake Iliamna, Alaska Contact: Brian Harry owner/instructor; 412-527-9346 Email: Brian@foothillaviation.com Website: foothillaviation.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Cessna 182 on amphibs $395 N/A Piper Super Cub $295 N/A PA-12 $295 N/A Beaver and 206 and block-time specials call for prices. Course Rates Hours Cost Basic (ASES) in Piper Super Cub in Piper Super Cub 7 $2500 in Cessna 182 7 $3150 S E A P L A N E T R A I N I N G D I R E C T O R Y 2021 Water Flying Special Edition 17 16 Water Flying Special Edition 2021 Advanced (High Mountain Training) in Piper Super Cub $895 in Cessna 182 $1250 Comments: Foothill Aviation, LLC is based at the Calaveras County Airport in San Andreas, CA, and Lake Iliamna, Alaska. We operate year-round with the opportunity for advanced summer flying in Alaska. The CA seaplane base is 10 minutes away from KCPU on a private cattle ranch. Our Alaska location is located at Lake Iliamna near Bristol Bay. We provide primary and advanced training in both straight and amphibian floats. In our CA location, we have a Super Cub PA-18 and a PA-12 on straight floats, and a Cessna 182 with a P-Ponk upgrade on Aerocet amphibious floats. Our Alaska location offers advanced training in a PA-12, C-206, and a Beaver. We also offer transition train- ing in customer-owned aircraft and insurance checkouts. Basic Course prices quoted include six hours of flight training, aircraft rental for check ride, study materials, and all ground instruction required to pass the checkride. If additional training is required, it’s based on dual instruc- tion rates. Examiner’s fee is not included. We are also excited to offer training trips between our locations. Call for details! We accept cash, personal checks, and credit cards. There is a three percent processing fee on all credit cards. We require a $400 deposit when booking. If you fly in, we can provide local transportation. The closest major airport is Sacramento for California and Anchorage for Alaska location. The Goose Hangar Bellanca Drive on Lake Hood, Anchorage, AK 99603 Owner: John Pletcher Contact: Burke Mees, instructor: 907/696-1945 Email: bmees@ mtaonline.net Website: goosehangar.com Comments: We offer flight training in a 1944 Grumman Goose. The hourly rate is $1,450 / flight hour (air time), and we also offer a day-session that includes about 3.5 hours for $3,900. All flights are customized to meet your specific training goals and usually include a stop for lunch at a scenic Alaska lake. On a limited basis we are able to offer the MES add-on rating to applicants who have the SES and MEL ratings for a package price of $11,500. The MES rat- ing is a thorough four-day course that covers all aspects of flying hull amphibs in general and the Goose in particular. We also offer a Biennial Flight Review for pilots who are already MES rated. We operate during the ice-free months, which usually begin in May and last through sometime in October. For more details please see the website goose- hangar.com. Wattum Aircraft Services LLC 6314 East Mountain Goat Circle, Wasilla, AK 99654 Contact: Joel Wattum: 907-947-4017 Email: joelwattum@gmail.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Cessna 170B, 180hp, Aerocet 2200 $350 N/A Cessna 172G, 180hp, Aerocet 2200 $350 N/A Dual instruction in your plane $ 80 N/A Examiner we use as of this post $600 Course Rates Hours Cost Call for information. Comments: We are located in the Mat Su valley at Wolf Lake Airport 4AK6, just minutes from the Knik Glacier. Lots of lakes to practice on very close by. Many other activi- ties close by and only one-hour drive north of Anchorage or 15 minutes by air. Lake, asphalt, and gravel runways. Our main focus is dual instruction in your LSA aircraft and flight reviews on floats, which many insurance companies require. We will work with you in your aircraft, which you are already familiar with, to optimize your training experi- ence and save you time and money. ARIZONA Lake Havasu Seaplanes PO Box 2700, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405 Contact: Glenn Patterson: 928/733-7122 Email: info@lakehavasuseaplanes.com Website: lakehavasuseaplanes.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo DHC - 2 Beaver Amphib $950 Cessna 172 Amphib $400 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost Pvt'Com Add-on Beaver 6 $6500 Pvt/Com Add-on C172 6 $2850 2-3 hours ground included ATP add-on SES rating 3 $3500 Flight Review or Seaplane Refresher 1-2 $500- $800 Comments: Lake Havasu Seaplanes trains and operates on the beautiful blue waters of the Colorado River and Lake Havasu, which offer excellent open water, confined areas, and river-channel training. We operate a clean and well-maintained IFR-certified Cessna 172N, 180HP con- version with a power-flow exhaust system on Baumann amphibious floats, and a DHC-2 Beaver on amphib floats. Land operations are conducted from our home base air- port, KHII. We enjoy 9 months of gorgeous weather here in the desert. One-year membership with the Seaplane Pilots Association included. C ALIFORNIA Alpine Aviation 13310 Nevada City Ave., Grass Valley, CA 95945 Contact: Gordon Mills: 530-477-7701 Email: gordon@flyalpine.com Website: flyalpine.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Lake LA-4-200 $430 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost SES Transition (4-hr ground) 6-8 $4000 Comments: Minimum requirement: Private Pilot certifi- cate; complete endorsement included. Commercial SES and CFI available. California Sport Aviation Sacramento region and Lodi Airport (1O3) Contact: Bill Bardin, sport pilot flight instructor: 916-488-2FLY Email: billbardin@surewest.net Website: https://www.californiasportaviation.com/ Hourly Rates Dual Solo Your airplane $100 N/A Comments: Complete flight training in all LSA single- engine seaplanes—initial, refresher, transition, and advanced training. Client provides aircraft. Hours are Mon., Tue., Thurs., Fri., 9 am - 2 pm. Bill Bardin has 27 years of experience training pilots of all ages and backgrounds. He specializes in light sport aircraft and was chosen to be in the first group of eight sport pilot instructors in 2005. He has a reputation as a great teacher and pilot and loves to help pilots attain their goals. With the California Delta providing 1,200 miles of waterways and mountain lakes nearby, he is able to train pilots in a variety of beautiful and fun places. Foothill Aviation 3600 Carol Kennedy Dr., San Andreas, CA 95249 Contact: Brian Harry, owner/instructor: 412-527-9346 Email: brian@foothillaviation.com Website: foothillaviation.com 2021 Water Flying Special Edition 19 18 Water Flying Special Edition 2021 S E A P L A N E T R A I N I N G D I R E C T O R Y Hourly Rates Dual Solo Cessna 182 on amphibs $395 N/A Piper Super Cub $295 N/A PA-12 $295 N/A Beaver and 206 and block-time specials. Call for prices. Course Rates Hours Cost Basic (ASES) in Piper Super Cub in Piper Super Cub 7 $2500 in Cessna 182 7 $3150 Comments: Foothill Aviation, LLC is based at the Calaveras County Airport in San Andreas, CA. and Lake Iliamna, Alaska. We operate year-round with the opportunity for advanced summer flying in Alaska. The CA seaplane base is 10 minutes away from KCPU on a private cattle ranch. Our Alaska loca- tion is located at Lake Iliamna near Bristol Bay. We provide primary and advanced training in both straight and amphib- ian floats. In our CA location, we have a Super Cub PA-18 and a PA-12 on straight floats, and a Cessna 182 with a P-Ponk upgrade on Aerocet amphibious floats. Our Alaska location offers advanced training in a PA-12, C-206, and a Beaver. We also offer transition training in customer-owned aircraft and insurance checkouts. Basic Course prices quoted include 6 hours of flight training, aircraft rental for check ride, study materials, and all ground instruction required to pass the check ride. If additional training is required, it’s based on dual instruction rates. Examiner’s fee is not included. We are also excited to offer training trips between our locations. Call for details! We accept cash, personal checks, and credit cards. There is a 3% processing fee on all credit cards. We require a $400.00 deposit when booking. If you fly in, we can provide local transportation. The closest major airport is Sacramento for California and Anchorage for Alaska location. High Flight Aviation Contact: Shane Terpstra: 619-500-6367 Email: info@hfaviation.com Website: www.hfaviation.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Lake Amphibian (LA-4-180) $280 $180 Course Rates Hours Cost ASES Initial (commercial or private) 8 $2,500 ASES Refresher 2-3 $800 Comments: Come join us for an unforgettable experience. This is one of the only companies in the country that has the ability to allow solo rental of a Lake Amphibian! We run our courses from October through May. Our courses are generally done on the beautiful and amazingly versatile Colorado River with some flexibility for some additional adventures in the lakes of Central California. Check us out at hfaviation.com for the latest information. ICON Aircraft 2141 ICON Way, Vacaville, CA 95688 Contact: ICON Sales: 707-564-4100 Email: fly@iconaircraft.com Website: https://www.iconaircraft.com/flight-training/ Hourly Rates Dual Solo ICON A5 $345* NA Ground Training $95 NA Course Rates Hours Cost A5 Transition 5 -8 Included with factory A5 purchase *Rates are all dual, wet. No solo rentals. Transition training includes ground school, dual instruction, and course mate- rials for ICON’s Transition Landplane (TX-L) or Transition Seaplane (TX-S) course. Comments: The ICON Flight Center (IFC) in Vacaville, CA is located on Nut Tree Airport (KVCB) adjacent to ICON’s Corporate Headquarters and Aircraft Completion Center. IFC NorCal is open year-round and provides initial tran- sition training, proficiency/recurrency training, and A5 Instructor Pilot training to ICON A5 owners, position hold- ers, and training partners. In addition, IFC NorCal has a full-service maintenance facility, including composite repair capability, for the amphibious ICON A5. To learn more about A5 ownership programs or to inquire about becoming an ICON Flight Training Partner, please contact us at fly@iconaircraft.com. Los Angeles Seaplanes / Long Beach Seaplanes Long Beach Airport, 3333 E. Spring St. #205, Long Beach, CA 90806 Contact: Michael Steel, owner: 858-453-8833 Email: seaplanes@gmail.com Website: seaplanesoflosangeles.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Electric Seaplanes (arriving soon) $400 $340 Republic SeaBee Amphibian $300 $240 Cessna 182 Amphibian $300 $240 Helio Courier Amphibian (six passenger), ultra STOL $940 $860 Course Rates Hours Cost SES, Pvt and Com 5-7 $1500 SES, Pvt and Com in Helio Courier Amphib 5-7 $3400 Open Ocean Techniques 6-8 $4000 Catalina Island SES, Pvt and Com 6-8 $4000 Comments: SES package includes ground school and flight instruction. Free seaplane ground school: online or on-site. Open year round with excellent weather. Summer average 78 degrees, winter 68 degrees. World-class museums and attractions close by: Disneyland, Universal Studios, Magic Mountain, and Knott's Berry Farm. Please see our full- page ads in this Seaplane Training Directory and see our ad for electric Seaplanes in the March/April Seaplane Pilots Association Water Flying magazine. San Diego Seaplanes 1140 Wall St., Ste. 125, La Jolla, CA 92037 Contact: Michael Steel, owner: 808-732-7526 (tel) Email: seaplanes@gmail.com Website: sandiegoseaplanes.com and kayakseaplanewhalewatching.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Electric Seaplanes (arriving soon) $400 $340 Republic SeaBee Amphibian $300 $240 Cessna 182 Amphibian $300 $240 Helio Courier Amphibian (6 passenger), ultra STOL $940 $860 Course Rates Hours Cost SES, Pvt and Com 5-7 $1500 SES, Pvt and Com in Helio Courier Amphib 5-7 $3400 Open Ocean Techniques 6-8 $4000 Catalina Island SES, Pvt and Com 6-8 $4000 Comments: SES package includes ground school and flight instruction. Free seaplane ground school: online or on-site. Open year round with excellent weather. Summer average 77 degrees, winter 65 degrees. World-class museums and attractions close by: SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo & Safari Park, Balboa Park, museums, some of the best beaches in California, and 80 miles away: Disneyland, Universal Studios, and Knott's Berry Farm. Please see our full-page ads in this Seaplane Training Directory and see our ad for electric seaplanes in the March/April Seaplane Pilots Association Water Flying magazine. CONNEC TICUT Malcolm Dickinson Contact: Malcolm Dickinson, seaplane instructor: 203-698-2600 Email: malcolm.dickinson@gmail.com Comments: Malcolm Dickinson is a CFI with 20 years of experience giving dual instruction in Lake Amphibians. He holds single- and multiengine seaplane ratings and has experience flying amphib Cessna Caravans for a New York City air-taxi service. He does not own a seaplane at present but travels widely to do delivery flights and give instruction in Lake and other hulled amphibians. He is an authorized instructor for ICON Aircraft. Sport Flying of CT 81 Kenosia Ave., Danbury, CT 06810 Contact: Anthony Debany: 203-895-1204 Email: sportflyingct@gmail.com Website: www.sportflyingct.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Maule M-7 260 amphibian $405 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost ASES Pvt/Com add-on (Maule) 6 $3000 Examiner on staff; examiner fee included in course price. Comments: Two-day course is complete including check ride, course guide and ground school. Six hours flight time included with course, then billed at the hourly rate. Just about the most fun you can have in an airplane! Most students complete on time and on budget. Seaplane time- building packages available. FLORIDA Adventure Air Inc. 6223 US Hwy. 27 N PMB21, Sebring, FL 33870 Contact: Arthur Stifel: 863-273-0910 Email: Arthur@adventureairinc.com Website: adventureairinc.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo LA 4-200 $250 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost LA 4-200 10 $2400 Comments: We specialize in Lake Amphibian training, pro- viding initial, recurrent, and advanced training. Our empha- sis is on a thorough learning experience designed and structured for those pilots owning or looking to own their own amphibian. We also conduct local sightseeing flights and charters and assist in ferrying your airplane. Adventure Seaplanes, Inc. November-April Cherry Pocket Restaurant - Fish Camp 3100 Canal Rd., Lake Wales, FL 33898 Contact: Brian Schanche: 612-868-4243 Email: adventureseaplanes@gmail.com Website: adventureseaplanes.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Cessna 172, Bauman 2550 $290 N/A CFI time build $200 Cessna 185 Amphib 330HP Aerocet 3400 $450 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost C172 Recurrency and BFR $895 C172 Basic and BFR $1795 C185 Amphib Florida coast and Keys tour 6 $2700 C185 Amphib Complex and BFR 8 $3650 Citabria Tailwheel and BFR Basic 5 $1150 Cash discounts available on all aircraft. Comments: Our Instructors are high-time and experienced with thousands of hours in many types of aircraft. You will learn canals, rivers, lakes, beaching, docking, ramping, securing aircraft, refueling, etc., with many restaurants to fly to for a very fun and advanced training program, along with happy hour at the end of the day at the Cherry Pocket. Florida Keys and Bahama tours are available. Bring someone else along to enjoy your advanced training vaca- 2021 Water Flying Special Edition 21 20 Water Flying Special Edition 2021 S E A P L A N E T R A I N I N G D I R E C T O R Y tion. Minnesota-Canada fishing and Alaska group tours are available in the summer months. We are the only place in Florida where you learn to drive an airboat when you fly our seaplanes. Plus, we have RV sites and cabin rentals avail- able on site for a warm winter vacation. Belford Flying Service 228 Golf View Dr., Auburndale, FL 33823 520 South State St., Westerville, OH 43081 Contact: Captain Richard Belford: 800-992-2376, 614-562-9301 Email: cptrick@ix.netcom.com Comments: Certified seaplane training for: initial and recurrent seaplane ratings/training; CFI – proficiency train- ing; all Lake LA-4 models; Searey, most other LSAs; most single-engine floats and amphibian floats (initial Insurance issuance and/or renewal). Seaplane ratings include Ground School CD—training at your location or in Ohio and/or cen- tral Florida. We are responsible for opening the Ohio sea- plane landing areas at Ohio State Parks. Free registration with Ohio Dept. of Aviation is only requirement to use the waters. Brown’s Seaplane Base, Inc. 2704 Highway 92 West, Winter Haven, FL 33881 Contact: Ben Shipps, owner: 863-956-2243 (tel); 863-956- 3242 (fax) Email: info@brownsseaplane.com Website: brownsseaplane.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Piper J-3 Cub $195 N/A Piper Super Cub PA-18 $265 N/A Maule M7 $375 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost Piper J-3 5 $1700 Super Cub 5 $2100 Maule 5 $2700 SES course pricing includes ground school, study material, five hours of dual instruction, aircraft rental for checkride and examiner fee. Additional instruction provided at hourly rates. Need a flight review or tuneup? Ask about our one- day course. Comments: Introductory flights, dual instruction, flight reviews, sport, private, and commercial seaplane ratings in J-3 Cubs to high-performance, complex floatplanes. We’ve got something for everyone. Specializing in training and certifying new seaplane pilots since 1963, we’ve got it down to a science. Dedicated, professional instructors are ready to put the fun back into flying and introduce you to the wonderful world of floats Cypress Seaplane Adventures PO Box 2191, Auburndale, FL 33823 Contact: Ricci Rowe: 863-604-8287 Email: cypress.seaplanes@gmail.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Cessna 180 $325 N/A Cessna 172 $290 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost SES pvt/com Cessna 180 6 $1995 SES pvt/com Cessna 172 6 $1795 Comments: We offer specialized SES training that prepares you to fly in all types of environments. All of our instructors are high-time professional seaplane pilots with extensive experience. We are located in Central Florida, which offers a wide variety of lakes and rivers to train in and many great restaurants to visit. Florida Seaplanes 259 Robin Ct. Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 Contact: David Hensch: 386/248-2010 (cell), 407/331-5655 (tel) Email: FloridaSeaplanes@hotmail.com Website: flyfloatplanes.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Maule M7-235 Straight $400 N/A Maule M7-235 Amphib $450 N/A Your aircraft $100 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost SES up to 6 $2000 Comments: Offering single-engine land and sea, PVT, COM, and ATP. Flight training for a safer tomorrow. Utilizing high- performance/complex seaplanes and offering a wide vari- ety of takeoff and landing situations, including large and small lakes and rivers. Buddy training available. Central Florida/Orlando/Daytona Beach area. Florida Seaplanes tailors its courses to match your experience and back- ground. Your instructor has not hundreds of hours of sea- plane experience, but thousands of hours, and instructs in a manner to ensure you thoroughly enjoy your intro- duction to flying floatplanes. We want to ensure that you become a safe and courteous seaplane pilot. Our motto is: “Seaplanes are more Fun!” You will see why. Fly the Beach 4607 Legendary Marina Dr., Destin, FL 32541 (Inside LuLu Buffett’s) Contact: 850-290-2261 Email: contactus@flythebeach.com Website: flythebeach.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Introductory flights $100 N/A Dual instruction $300 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost ASES Endorsements 5.5 $1,800 Includes ground school and checkout Comments: Training, sales, and service of top three LSA seaplanes, all in the beautiful beach town of Destin, with two full-time CFIs having more than 3,000 hours in LSA seaplanes. 2021 Water Flying Special Edition 23 22 Water Flying Special Edition 2021 S E A P L A N E T R A I N I N G D I R E C T O R Y Flying Fish LLC Winter Haven Airport KGIF, Hangar #95, 2073 US-92, Winter Haven, FL 33881 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1145, St. Charles, MO 63302 Contact: Rachel Hinote: 340-514-1680 Email: rachel@flyingfishseaplanes.com Website: flyingfishseaplanes.com Facebook: flyingfishseplanes1 Hourly Rates Dual Solo Progressive Aerodyne Searey $350 $249 Course Rates Hours Cost SES rating (light sport to commercial) 6 $2800 Course cost includes six hours of flight time, 15 min. pre- and post briefings for each flight, and the examiner’s fee. Comments: Solo a seaplane with our rental program and explore all that Central Florida has to offer. With the addi- tion of our second location, conveniently located between Orlando and Tampa in the heart of Florida lake country, you can fly with us year-round. Chase gators and perfect your seaplane skills. Get your SES rating, tailwheel endorse- ment, or join one of our guided adventures. We have some- thing for everyone. Enjoy rental privileges at any of our growing network locations. Join us as we make seaplane flying accessible for everyone! ICON Aircraft 825 Severn Ave., Tampa, FL 33606 Contact: ICON Sales: 707-564-4100 Email: fly@iconaircraft.com Website: https://www.iconaircraft.com/flight-training/ Hourly Rates Dual Solo ICON A5 $345* NA Ground Training $95 NA Courses Hours Cost A5 Transition 5-8 Included with factory A5 purchase *Rates are all dual, wet. No solo rentals. A5 transition training includes ground school, dual instruction, and course materials for ICON’s Transition Landplane (TX-L) or Transition Seaplane (TX-S) course. Comments: The ICON Flight Center (IFC) in Tampa, FL is located at Peter O. Knight Airport (KTPF) on Davis Island. IFC Tampa is open year-round and provides initial transition training, proficiency/recurrency training, and A5 Instructor Pilot training to ICON A5 owners, position holders, and training partners. In addition, IFC Tampa has a full-service maintenance facility, including composite repair capability, for the amphibious ICON A5. To learn more about A5 owner- ship programs or to inquire about becoming an ICON Flight Training Partner, please contact us at fly@iconaircraft.com. Jones Brothers Seaplanes 210 East Ruby St., Tavares, FL 32778 Contact: Front Office: 352-508-1800 Email: jb.seaplanes@gmail.com Website: jonesairandsea.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Cessna 185 Amphib Dual $439 N/A Cessna 206 Amphib Dual $549 N/A Searey Amphibious Flying Boat Dual $349 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost Cessna A185 (Private or Commercial) 5 $2149 Searey amphibious flying boat (Sport, Private or Commercial) 5-6 $1749 Comments: Learn on more than 1,000 lakes surrounding America’s Seaplane City in Lake County, Florida. Lakes of all sizes including confined areas. River flying, beginner and advanced seaplane maneuvers including rough water, glassy water, docking, ramping, and emergency proce- dures. Solo program coming soon! Ryan Aviation Seaplanes, Inc. 301 Old Moody Blvd., Palm Coast, FL 32164 Contact: Tripp Wacker: 800/338-3044, 386/437-0620 Email: info@ryanseaplanes.com Website: ryanseaplanes.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Aviat Husky A-1B amphib $375 N/A DHC-2 Beaver amphib $775 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost Beaver Pvt/ Com SES 5 $4425 Beaver Checkout Course 5 $3625 Beaver Bush Course 10 $6875 SES Pvt/Com, Husky Amphibian 5 $2475 SES ATP, Husky Amphibian 8 $3875 Comments: Examiner on staff. Located at Flagler County Airport (KXFL). Docking, beaching, ramping. Course rates include examiner’s fee and can be completed in two days. ATP course is land and sea. Minutes from Daytona Beach. A fuel surcharge may be added to prices. Call for monthly specials. Searey Life, LLC 1201 Delaney Park Dr., Orlando FL 32806-1409 Contact: 248-421-2480 Email: lmason3661@aol.com Website: seareylife.com Add-on SES Private and Commercial; tailwheel endorse- ments; SES Light Sport endorsement; Biennial Flight Reviews; introductory flights: Hourly Rates Dual Solo Searey $285 N/A Your aircraft $100 N/A Ground training $ 50 N/A Comments: Gold Seal Flight Instructor Sebring Flight Academy 132 Authority Lane, Sebring, FL 33870 Contact: Timothy Rex: 863-655-2002 Email: timothy@sebringflightacademy.com Website: sebringflightacademy.com Hourly Rates (Sebring) Dual Solo Aero Adventure Aventura S LSA $200 N/A Comments (Sebring): Seaplane rating in new Aero Adventure LSAs starting in 2020. Enjoy the many lakes in the Sebring and Lake Placid area. Amphibious Aventuras depart from the Sebring Airport (KSEF) main terminal. Hourly Rates (The Villages) Dual Solo Aventura S17 demo flights $200 N/A Aventura S17 $200 $115 Shares-15 hours $1732 plus CFI Comments (The Villages): Contact Lou Mancuso, 516/658- 1847. Shares are available in the Aventura S17. The S17 gets 2021 Water Flying Special Edition 25 24 Water Flying Special Edition 2021 S E A P L A N E T R A I N I N G D I R E C T O R Y off the water in as little as six seconds due to the powerful 117-hp fuel-injected engine. Sunair Aviation, Inc. 8806 Airport Blvd., Leesburg, FL 34788 Contact: Nick Larson, chief pilot/manager;:352-787-2211 Email: nick@sunairaviation.com and fly@sunairaviation.com Website: sunairaviation.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Husky A-1B Aspen 1000 w/ synthetic vision $350 $275 Course Rates Hours Cost Private (Part 61) 5 $1945 Commercial (Part 61) 5 $1945 ATP (Part 61) 5 $1945 Comments: Our amphibious A-1B Husky includes Wipline 2100s, Aspen 1000 PFD with Synthetic Vision, a Garmin 430 WAAS and ADS-B. With over 1,000 lakes in Lake County, this is the perfect place to explore the fun and rewarding experience of seaplanes. Examiner on staff. 141 seaplane course and VA approved. Seaplane solo rentals approved, provided you meet our insurance minimums. Price based on average completion times. Price doesn't include exam- iner fee or taxes. Wings Over Water Seaplane Training Lake Harris, 32725 Echo Dr., Leesburg, FL 34788 Contact: Mary Alverson: 612/240-0123 (tel) Email: mary@wingsoverwaterseaplanes.com Website: wingsoverwaterseaplanes.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo PA-18 Super Cub $350 N/A Cessna 172 (180 hp) Wipline Amphibious 2550 $450 N/A IDAHO Coeur d’Alene Seaplanes PO Box 1051, 31034 Sienna Loop, Athol, ID 83801 Contact: Glenn Smith: 208-255-5500 (tel) Email: gwaltersmith@hotmail.com Website: cdaseaplanes.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Cessna 172on Edo 2000s $275 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost SES Rating Course 6 $1500 Advanced Course 10 $2500 Comments: The Panhandle of North Idaho, with its numer- ous mountain lakes and rivers, offers a real back-country seaplane flying experience. Less than one hour from Spokane International Airport. INDIANA Mac’s Seaplane Service Rising Sun, IN 47040 Contact: Troy MacVey, DPE: 515-509-7027 Email: troymacvey@gmail.com Website: macsseaplane.com Facebook: Mac’s Seaplane Service Hourly Rates Dual Solo Cessna 140 N/A $150 Cessna 170B $200 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost SES Rating (private/commercial) $2200 Comments: Pilot examiner on staff. Tech Flying 4725 East 100 North, Knox, IN 46534 Contact: Leigh Smith: 574-806-6661 Email: leighc46@hotmail.com Website: techflying.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Your aircraft only Call for rates Daily rate: at your location Call for rates Comments: Visit www.techflying.com for more informa- tion. No airplanes to rent. Instruction done only in your plane. Willing to travel to your location. KE NTUCK Y Shark Aviation 4134B Aviator Road, B10, Lexington, KY 40510 Contact: Brad Fenster, pilot/owner: 859-351-9293 Email: info@flytheshark.com Website: www.flytheshark.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Cessna A185F amphibian $375 NA Course Rates Hours Cost Private ASES - Add On 6 $2550 Private ASES - Add On 10 $3750 Commercial ASES - Add On 6 $2550 Commercial ASES - Add On 10 $3750 Commercial ASES - Initial 15 $5625 Commercial ASEL - Add On 10 $3750 Commercial ASEL - Initial 10 $3750 Commercial ASEL/ASES Combination 20 $7500 Amphibious Transition 5 $1875 Comments: Based at the Blue Grass Airport (KLEX) in Lexington, KY, we conduct seaplane training primarily at Lake Cumberland, KY, and on the Ohio River. All training is conducted in a Cessna 185 with amphibious floats. If appli- cable, all courses include high-performance and complex endorsements. LOUISIANA Cubs Floats and Fun Pineville Municipal Airport, Pineville, LA (2LO) Contact: David Lewis, owner: 318-880-7787 Email: cubsfloatsandfun@gmail.com Website: cubsfloatsandfun.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Your aircraft $90 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost SES Rating (checkride included) 4-7 $2799 Float Recurrency/BFR 2-3 $290/hr Comments: Attention veterans! You may qualify for a $2,000 credit from the VA for your check ride. If you currently have benefits under any one of the follow- ing chapters and you submit VA Form 22-0803, you can be reimbursed the $2,000 cost of the test under the REIMBURSEMENT OF LICENSING OR CERTIFICATION TEST FEES program: Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty Educational Assistance Program (MGIB) (Chapter 30); Post-Vietnam Era Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) (Chapter 32); Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33); Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA) (Chapter 35); Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) (Chapter 1607); Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve Program (MGIB-SR) (Chapter 1606). One-stop shopping—checkride included! Cubs Floats and Fun seaplane rating consists of up to seven hours of flight instruction, two hours of ground instruction, the Cubs Floats and Fun Seaplane Training Manual Step up to Floats 2, and a one-year membership in the Seaplane Pilots Association. The rating is normally done in two days. The seaplane rating is gained using our brand-new 160- HP Piper PA-18 Super Cub on EDO 2000 Floats. Off-airport fly- ing is emphasized in the training, and you will be exposed to the most unique flying area around. The use of the air- craft for the check ride is included in the cost. The training manuals will be sent prior to arrival so you're ready to get flying. The SES course qualifies for BFR and FAA Wings credit. Cubs Floats and Fun is based in Cajun country at Pineville, LA (2L0), with year-round float flying. We also offer training at KDWH in Houston. The home base at Pineville 2L0 on Lake Buhlow is next to the Red River and has numerous oxbows and everything available for your personalized training. Cubs Floats and Fun also offers recurrent, advanced seaplane, amphibious training, flight reviews, and tailwheel training. Allow at least two days for course completion. All training and check ride costs are included in package price assuming seven or less hours of flight instruction. Chief pilot Dave Lewis is the Louisiana and Texas Field Director for the SPA and a highly experienced pilot, both fixed and 2021 Water Flying Special Edition 27 26 Water Flying Special Edition 2021 S E A P L A N E T R A I N I N G D I R E C T O R Y rotary wing. If you’re looking for a truly fun flying experi- ence and want to check off one more item on the bucket list, give us a call or visit our website for more information. Block rates are available for hours/experience building in the Super Cub. Examiner on staff. Southern Seaplane Inc. / Seaplane Safety Institute #1 Coquille Rd., Belle Chasse, LA 70037 Contact: Lacey Panepinto Charvet, vice president: 504-394-5633 (tel); 504-394-8458 (fax) Email: info@southernseaplane.com Website: southernseaplane.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Cessna 172 Straight Float $295 N/A Cessna 185 Straight Float $650 N/A Cessna 185 Amphib $730 N/A Cessna 206 Straight Float $815 N/A Cessna 206 Amphib $870 N/A DHC-2 Beaver Amphib $1040 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost Part 141 Seaplane Rating C172 4 $1975 C185 4 $3200 C206 4 $3800 Checkride cost is included. Seaplane Safety Institute 3-day recurrent course. Call. Comments: All courses Part 141 approved. Seaplane rat- ings and training offered in all aircraft in our fleet. Cost varies per aircraft. In-house examiner. Call for course pric- ing. Year-round flying! MAINE Central Maine Aviation Big Indian Lake, Saint Albans, ME 04971 Contact: Charles Surprenant, owner/instructor: 207-249-8972 Email: charlie@centralmaineaviation.com Website: centralmaineaviation.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Cessna 172XP $275 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost Refresher Course 2 $550 Includes ground instruction Full-day Northwoods Adventure $825 Includes up to three hours dual Comments: Seaplane training is available June 1 through September 31. Our comfortable lakefront cabin sleeps up to six people and is discounted for pilots-in-training. Bring the family! Jackman Air LLC 7 Attean Rd., Jackman, ME 04945 Contact: James Schoenmann: 207-668-4461; 207-399-2503 Email: n874j@myfairpoint.net Website: jackmanair.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Cessna 172 (180hp) $250 N/A Aqua 2400 straight floats Comments: Get your seaplane rating in the Western Mountains of Maine or take a sightseeing ride. We have many remote lakes and ponds in the area so you will get a wide variety of experience while enjoying the natural beau- ty of this remote area. There is a nice selection of accom- modations available in Jackman from lakeside cabins to motels. Leave the crowds behind! MARYL AND Southern Maryland Seaplanes St. Mary's County Regional Airport (2W6), Captain Walter Francis Duke Terminal Building, California, MD 20619. Wingfield (MD01), 49595 Diamond Ln., Damaron, MD 20628 Contact: Jeremy DeBons: 301-957-7930 Email: somdseaplanes@gmail.com Website: somdseaplanes.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Republic Seabee $500 N/A Piper PA-12 on EDO 2000 $350 N/A Dual only, except for practical exams with DPE. Comments: Founded by a Navy test pilot instructor in 2018, Southern Maryland Seaplanes is a growing part-time operation which aims to provide quality stick-and-rudder training for new and experienced pilots alike. Our 160-hp Piper PA-12 on EDO 2000 straight floats makes an out- standing platform in which to learn and is expected to return to service late-season 2021. The Republic Seabee is the newest addition to the fleet, which provides a complex, high-performance, tailwheel and amphibious flying boat experience. We also provide beginner and advanced tail- wheel instruction in a Cessna 140. Sightseeing flights are available in the PA-12 and Seabee. Located about 1 hour 30 minutes southeast of Washington, D.C., St. Mary's County airport is surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. A large variety of landing sites surround us for training on and around the Patuxent and Potomac Rivers. Further down the peninsula, Wingfield houses our PA-12 and sits on picturesque St. Jerome's Creek. Our float season runs from April through November. Please contact us for more information and we will make every effort to accommodate your training needs. MICHIGAN Giving Wings Aviation 1170 Airport Access Rd., Traverse City, MI 49686 Contact: Flight Center: 231-943 -2033 (tel) Email: info@flyGWA.com Website: flyGWA.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Cessna 172 Amphibian $230 N/A ICON A5 $300 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost Cessna-ASES package 6-8 $1750 ICON-ASES package 10 $3000 Examiner fee $500 ICON-approved A5 Flight Training Courses •Sport Flying introduction 1+1* $395 •Transition course-landplane 8 •Transition course-seaplane 4 * 1 hour flight and 1 hour brief Comments: All our water courses are designed to get your feet wet in beautiful Northern Michigan. We offer factory- approved flight training in our ICON Aircraft A5. Now offer- ing ASES in the A5! You will love flying the A5. If you prefer a floatplane experience, then climb aboard our wonderfully restored Cessna Amphibian to complete your ASES rating. Splash into the surrounding lakes with a friend in the back seat. We utilize a local DPE ensuring you the most efficient path to earning your rating. Ground school consists of a review of our training materials and daily pre- and post-flight briefings as well as a “mock checkride.” Most proficient and current pilots can complete the Cessna training pack- age in two to three days. Bring the family and discover why Traverse City has won so many awards for a small town. Michigan Seaplane 6544 Highland Road, Waterford, MI 48327 Contact: Mark Fisher: (cell) 248-675-5561 Email: michiganseaplane@gmail.com Website: https://www.michiganseaplane.com/ Hourly Rates Dual Solo PA-12 Piper Super Cruiser 150HP $225 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost SES Call for pricing. Taildragger endorsements in the off-season. Accommodations available upon request. Price includes instructor fee and checkride Comments: Michigan Seaplane is based in Waterford, Michigan (southeast Michigan). Area of operations is off of Pontiac Lake near KPTK (Oakland International Airport). Students are able to fly into KPTK and with prior notifica- tion we can provide transportation. Lodging is also avail- able with prior notification. Great location for learning to fly seaplanes where water and scenery abound. Call today to schedule your seaplane instruction. Northwestern Michigan College 1701 East Front St., Traverse City, MI 49686 Contact: Mike O’Keefe, chief flight instructor: 231-995-2012 Email: mokeefe@nmc.edu Website: nmc.edu/aviation Hourly Rates Dual Solo Piper Super Cub, Wipline 2100 $234 N/A 2021 Water Flying Special Edition 29 28 Water Flying Special Edition 2021 S E A P L A N E T R A I N I N G D I R E C T O R Y Comments: The NMC Seaplane course is operated out of the college’s aviation program facilities in beautiful Traverse City, MI. We are surrounded by a variety of bays and lakes, large and small, all near the airport, provid- ing a diverse training environment to complement your experience. Training is done in a 180-hp Piper Super Cub equipped with Wipline amphib floats. We provide a pack- age of training aids including videos, the NMC Seaplane Training Reference Guide, and NMC’s Ground School Notes. Depending on the pilot’s skills and currency, the add-on rating can normally be completed in two to three days, allowing you to receive your training and rating over a weekend. Traverse City has wonderful accommodations on the bay, so plan to bring the family. We have a staff of seaplane instructors with decades of flight instruction experience and a local FAA-designated examiner who can complete your practical test using the plane you trained in. Northwoods Aviation, Inc. 8186 East 34 Rd., Cadillac, MI 49601 Contact: Derek DeRuiter, President: 231-775-6641 (office) Email: northwoodsaviation1@hotmail.com Website: northwoodsaviation.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Piper PA-12-150 $220 N/A Piper J3 $220 N/A Cessna 185 Amphib $375 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost Piper PA-12 (straight floats) Pvt/Com SES 7 $1800 Piper J-3 (LSA)(straight floats) Pvt/Com SES Examiner’s Fee $500 Comments: Northwoods Aviation is a professional, licensed flight school that has operated its floatplane training in beautiful Northern Michigan for more than 40 years. The Cadillac, Michigan, area is surrounded by numerous lakes of various sizes providing a diverse train- ing environment. The standard seaplane rating consists of flight and ground instruction, training manual, and aircraft for the check ride. Pilots normally complete the rating in two to three days. Northwoods Aviation also offers recur- rent, advanced and amphibious seaplane training; flight reviews; tailwheel; and skiplane training. Many students will earn their tailwheel endorsement prior to the seaplane rating, which gives them a great feel for stick-and-rudder flying. Tailwheel training is available throughout the entire year. Our FBO is based at the Cadillac Airport, so you are welcome to fly-in. Our seaplane base is located just east of Cadillac. Please give us a call or visit our website for more information. Outback Aviation McBain Mi Phone: 231-878-3316 Email: Outbackaviationllc@yahoo.com Comments: I offer seaplane instruction in single straight floats, amphibian and hull seaplanes. I offer training in most every single-engine seaplane including the Kodiak 100 and Cessna Caravan. I am also an FAA Designate Pilot Examiner for single-engine seaplanes. My rates depend on the type of aircraft and length of training. Seaplane check- ride fee is $600. Traverse Air, Inc. 294 West Silver Lake Rd. North, Traverse City, MI 49685 Contact: Tom Brady, CFII, MEI: 231-590-4548 (tel) Email: tbrady294@charter.net Website: traverseair.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Piper PA-12-150 $220 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost SES 5-6 $1295 Examiner’s fee $600 Comments: Tom Brady owns, operates, and does all train- ing for Traverse Air, Inc. He has more than 30 years of expe- rience. The plane used is a 1947 Piper Super Cruiser, 150 hp. Course rate includes complete six-hour course, training manual, seaplane for check ride, and a free one-year mem- bership in the Seaplane Pilots Association. Tom schedules and coordinates for the check ride. The designated-exam- iner fee is an additional $600. The rating is guaranteed and insured. Biennial flight reviews and SES time-building packages are available. Training takes two days and is done in beautiful, scenic northern Michigan. Only Alaska has more territorial water than Michigan. Traverse Air Inc. is located in the middle of 3320 square miles of lakes and bays. Learn the stick-and-rudder skills of seaplane flying while enjoying the beauty of the area. Bring your family with you for a great vacation while doing the most enjoy- able rating you will ever obtain. The area is the water wonderland of the Midwest. It is surrounded by the bays of Lake Michigan, inland lakes, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, the rolling hills of vineyards, fruit trees, and farmlands, making this a relaxing and wonderful place to come. There are many attractions and recreational activi- ties. Check out the Visitor’s Bureau for things to do in our area. http://www.visittraversecity.com/things-to-do-3/. Western Michigan University 237 North Helmer Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49037 Contact: Rob Bunday, chief flight instructor: 269/964-4028 Email: robert.bunday@wmich.edu Website: wmich.edu/aviation Hourly Rates Dual Solo PA-18-150, Wipline Amphib $264 N/A Comments: Western Michigan University operates from the Battle Creek W.K. Kellogg airport (KBTL) in Southwest Michigan. All seaplane courses utilize the Super Cub and are charged on a per-hour basis using the hourly rate for the air- craft. Prior to beginning the course, training materials will be provided to the student. The student is responsible for the FAA examiner’s fee at the completion of the checkride. MINNE SOTA Advanced Flight Training & Leasing 1700 Henry Ave., Fleming Field, South St. Paul, MN 55075 Contact: Brian Addis, Chief Instructor; 651-209-7159 (tel) Email: baddis@advancedseaplanetraining.com Website: https://www.wipaire.com/seaplane_school/ advancedflighttrainingandleasing Course Rates Hours Cost SES Training in your aircraft ($100 per hour) 7 $700 Caravan Recurrent, wheels and/or floats (one day) $1000 Caravan Initial, wheels and/or floats (three days) $2400 Comments: Advanced Flight Training and Leasing special- izes in training for straight and amphibious floatplanes. We have training programs for all aircraft on Wipline floats and provide customized training for your aircraft and opera- tions. Based at Fleming Field, KSGS, in the Wipaire facil- ity. Seaplane, tailwheel, and wheeled aircraft training are available. Training in client’s aircraft at $100 per hour. Adventure North Flying Service 5959 Ojibwa Rd., Brainerd, MN 56431 Contact: Adam Forsberg, President, CFI: 218-927-4104 (tel), 218-839-1067 (cell) Email: adventurellc@gmail.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Cessna 206, 300 hp, Edo 3430 floats $340 N/A Cessna 180, Edo 2870 floats $300 N/A Beech 18 Twin, Edo 7850 floats $875 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost SES Basic Rating (180) 6 $1950 SES Basic Rating (206) 7 $2100 SES training in owner aircraft 6 $600 SES Advanced - Available Please call MES Basic Rating 6 $875/hr MES Advanced - Available Please call Courses include ground school, study guide, aircraft, and instructor. Some students require extra time, depending on individual skill. We offer SES and MES advanced training; please call for pricing. Examiner’s fee is $250-$300. Resort packages Brainerd and Baudette areas (see comments). Comments: Single and multiengine seaplane, beginner to advanced, offered in Baudette and Brainerd Lakes areas. Baudette: Training is offered on the Rainy River at our FBO, located at the Baudette International Airport (KBDE). The Rainy River provides the border between the U.S. and Canada and feeds into Lake of the Woods, the sixth largest lake in the United States! Our training includes both river and lake flying. We invite you to enjoy a resort package at one of many lodges, which includes fishing or golf, in the walleye capital of the world. Brainerd: The Brainerd Lakes area is a seaplane pilot's dream! With more than 450 lakes within a 20-mile radius, you are never far from water! The scenery and lakes are breathtaking. Resort and golf packages are available at the numerous resorts in the area. Adventure Seaplanes 12D Tower Airport, 5804 HooDoo Point Rd., Tower, MN 55790 Contact: Brian Schanche: 612-868-4243 Email: adventureseaplanes@gmail.com Website: www.adventureseaplanes.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo Cessna 172, Bauman 2550 $290 Cessna 185 PK 3500C $390 $300 Cessna 185 Amphib 330HP Aerocet 3400 $450 N/A DHC-2 Beaver Eco 4930 $750 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost C172 Recurrency and BFR 3 $895 C172 Basic and BFR 6 $1795 C185 Amphib Complex and BFR 8 $3650 Beaver Bush Pilot and BFR 8 $5950 Northern Minnesota Lodge Tour 6 Inquire C185 Amphib Churchill Polar Bear Tour 16 Inquire C185 Amphib Minnesota-Alaska Tour 25-30 Inquire Cash discounts available on all aircraft. Comments: May – October. Our Instructors are high time and experienced with thousands of hours in many types of aircraft. You will fly many northern wilderness lakes and rivers surveying the lakes for safe landing areas, docking, ramping, beaching, securing aircraft, refueling along with U.S. and Canada Customs border-crossing procedures. We have many lodges and resorts with great fishing in our area, with nice restaurants to fly to for a very fun and more advanced training vacation. This is the real bush- flying deal—flying seaplanes In northern Minnesota—that people dream of, so why not get your seaplane rating the right way. Fly your own plane to 12D and we have accom- modations onsite for you and your plane or many other lodging places without being in the big city. Our Specialty Canadian tours offer fishing opportunities; viewing beluga whales, polar bears, moose, caribou, muskox, and Arctic wolves; flying north to Churchill and above the Arctic Circle in Nunavut. For those who want to do their dream trip to Alaska, our C185 Amphib is ready to take you during the months of June and July. Inquire early for this trip. Air Trek North 1620 Henry Ave., S. St. Paul, MN 55379; Airport: KSGS Contact: 952-594-1184 Email: info@airtreknorth.com Website: airtreknorth.com 2021 Water Flying Special Edition 31 30 Water Flying Special Edition 2021 S E A P L A N E T R A I N I N G D I R E C T O R Y Hourly Rates Dual Solo Cessna 172 Amphib $270 $230 C206 Amphib $600 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost ASES seaplane add-on 6-8 $1620+ Comments: Imagine stopping in at a restaurant while train- ing, learning to beach a plane, learning to dock, river land- ings, lake landings, all within the beautiful Minneapolis/ Saint Paul Lakes and River area. Excursions available during your training to almost any of the 10,000 pristine Minnesota lakes, or a hop over to Wisconsin for some prime rib on Cedar Lake. It’s how training should be and can be. We are located just 10 minutes from the Minneapolis International Airport at friendly Fleming Field (KSGS) right next to the Wipaire float factory. Air Trek North also offers Private, Commercial, Instrument, Multiengine, CFI, CFII & MEI training. Rick’s Aviation Adventures LLC Northern Minnesota Contact: Rick Mercil: 218-779-9161 Email: richard.mercil@yahool.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo PA18 Amphibian $250 N/A Course Rates Hours Cost Pvt/Com add-on 6-8 $1900 + Examiner’s Fee Comments: Rick is a flight instructor with the following certificates and ratings: ATP; COMM SE and ME; IFR; CFI, CFII, CFI-MEI; and seaplane pilot and instructor. Rick is a seasoned pilot with 41-plus years of experience and has flown seaplanes, aerobatics, crop sprayers, turboprops, corporate jets, and airliners. Rick was a ground and flight instructor at the University of Minnesota Crookston and served as the Chief Flight Instructor at the University of North Dakota. He worked on NASA general aviation initia- tives and had the honor of being named Flight Instructor of the Year in North Dakota in 1994. Rick has a passion for vintage aircraft and enjoys sharing his experiences and love of flying with others. Rick’s seaplane course will be a fun experience full of learning and aviation adventure. Surfside Seaplane Training LLC 6980 Lake Drive, Lino Lakes, MN 55014 Contact: Ken Partyka: 651-270-7602 Email: surfsideseaplanetraining@gmail.com Training based out of Surfside Seaplane Base (8Y4) Hourly Rates Dual Solo Cessna 172L, 160HP, Aqua 2200 $270 N/A BFR, refresher training, and demo flights $270 Course Rates Hours Cost SES 7 $1860 Comments: Seaplane ratings, BFRs, refresher training, and demo flights offered. Train with experienced instructors in a Cessna 172L on Aqua floats. This nicely equipped float- plane has a 160-hp engine with PowerFlow exhaust and fixed-pitch prop. Great combination for learning how to fly on floats. We will get you current, ready for your practical test, or just more comfortable flying on floats. SES ratings typically are between 6 and 8 hours depending on your fly- ing skills. Surfside (8Y4) is the largest seaplane base in the lower 48 and a great little airport. It is located in the Twin Cities metro very close to both KANE and 25D. Rice Creek Campgrounds, hotels, and many restaurants are in the area. Fly in, make it a family vacation, and along with your training enjoy the many attractions the Twin Cities has to offer. Venture North Aviation, LLC 125 Wheaton Rd., Cloquet, MN 55720 Contact: 218-879-6599 Email: Staff@VentureNorthAviation.com Website: VentureNorthSeaplanes.com Course Rates Hours Cost Three-day Seaplane Rating 8 $2499 Five-day Seaplane Rating plus Wilderness Adventure 16 $4999 One-day Seaplane Recurrent training $650 PA18A-160 Super Cub Wipline 2100 amphib Your aircraft Comments: Earn your Private or Commercial seaplane rating while exploring the remote lakes of Northern MN. We are located on the western tip of Lake Superior in Minnesota, You will have access to thousands of Northern Minnesota lakes for floatplane flying. Don’t settle for any- thing less than the classic Super Cub on amphibious floats; perfect for that secluded Northwood’s lake or the private grass strip. Based in Cloquet, MN, Venture North Aviation, LLC offers seaplane ratings, seaplane recurrent training, and custom floatplane adventures throughout northern Minnesota. You can earn your floatplane rating in as little as 6 to10 hours of flying. Our Piper Super Cub with 160-hp engine on Wipline 2100 floats is the ultimate floatplane fly- ing machine to earn your seaplane rating. Wings Over Water Seaplane Training 4429 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55419 Contact: Mary Alverson: 612-240-0123 (tel) Email: mary@wingsoverwaterseaplanes.com Website: wingsoverwaterseaplanes.com Hourly Rates Dual Solo PA-18 Super Cub $350 N/A Cessna 172 (180 hp) Wipline Amphibious 2550 $450 N/A Comments: Experience the joy of seaplane flying in the land of 10,000