Flying a seaplane may not be as difficult as you think. With a few flight training sessions at a flight school near you, you may be living your dream faster than you think.

What kind of license is needed in Canada?

Once you have your private pilot license, all you will need is an additional qualification certificate to be able to fly a seaplane. To fly a seaplane, the pilot must complete a minimum of 7 additional hours of seaplane flight training, which includes at least 5 hours of training with their flight instructor and at least 5 takeoffs and 5 landings as a solo pilot. of the plane If you are flying in a plane with 2 crew members, you must have all 5 takeoffs and landings as the pilot in command of the plane.

What type of license is needed in the United States?

If you want to earn your Airplane – Single Engine Seaplane (ASES) rating, you will need approximately 6-10 hours of pilot training with your Flight Instructor on taxiing and navigation, docking, mooring and also grounding. You will also need to be trained in takeoffs and landings in various weather and water conditions, including normal, glassy, ​​choppy, and crosswind variations. Emergency operations are important and should be studied. Lastly, the successful completion of a flight verification exam with an FAA-approved Designated Pilot Examiner. (ECD)

What are the benefits of flying a seaplane?

The first and main advantage is: accessibility. There are plenty of airstrips for pilots to use, but there are even more water spots for seaplane pilots! Think about it: the rough and wild of just about anywhere can act as your landing spot. Purchase that remote cabin and have access to your own private dock.

The other benefit of flying a seaplane is the ease of being able to take off or land almost always directly into the wind. Since you’re not limited to a runway, you can utilize the benefits of the water’s surface, which means easier landing and faster takeoff.

What’s the downside?

Well, water has a lot of drag and friction… and being water, it means your track is moving almost constantly. That adds some complications.

The other drawback is the additional cost of a seaplane. When you think about the costs and write them down, you realize that you could actually buy a land plane AND a new Mercedes for the same cost as a seaplane. This means that you could actually buy that new Mercedes and drop it off at the airport and use it to drive to your country house as a cheaper option than buying a seaplane.

What are the costs?

The upside is that seaplane costs have come down considerably in recent years. The best advice is to sit back and see what comes out in the market. The current trend seems to indicate that the longer you wait, the lower the price will be.

To take action

The best thing to do right now is to commit to going out and doing a practice flight in a seaplane. A good flight instructor will give you great opportunities to see what the world would be like if you were part of the seaplane club. If you think being a seaplane pilot can be exciting, I assure you it is… and probably a lot more than you think! Check with a flight school in your area for more information.