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7gcbc
18th Oct 2004, 05:29
Hi ,

There was some talk a few months ago regarding seaplane ratings, I've done some homework and had a talk to a few operators and I'm happy thus far.

Without going into it in detail, I have no aspirations for the lines, nor regional turbos , simply can't afford to risk it at my age (38) too late to stake all on a possible job.

What is achievable for me, is GA, instructing, Ag (possible) and floaties.

Speaking with a mate of mine at camden this weekend, he suggested Canada, now a 172/182 floatie rating in OZ is do-able financially for me, but the Beaver (whilst I could scrape the cost together) would be outside my ability to keep current.

(I can't justify getting rated on a Type I cannot afford to keep current - I'm not a working pilot)

Questions are as follows:

Are they that much cheaper in Canada - Has anyone done it there ?, Would NZ be an option ?

As Float work is very seasonal, ie would I expect to find another job during wet season, ?

Any of the guy doing R402B (bridge-rose-longnose-paramatta) in SYD or QLD guys in here ? Please PM (or post here if you have the time) I would really value having a chat.

Salary does not majorly concern me (aside from it has to be enough to live on- but I'm not chasing big biccies for this)

thx in advance

7gcbc

yyzdub
22nd Oct 2004, 19:55
I recently did a float rating in Canada, just north of Toronto and it cost me $1700CDN for 7 hours which is about $2400 NZ. If you have a NZ licence than you must apply for a foreign validation in order to get a float endorsement in Canada. You should check to see if the Canada endorsement will carry over to another licence.

As for the Beaver - you won't find anyone offering initial float endorsement on that a/c in Canda unless you go to Georgian Airways in Ontario but you must enroll in the 50hr bush flying program and you'd only get 1 or 2 hours on the beaver.

As for work, can't really help you out much with that - are you looking at work in Canada? If I can remember, I don't remember much float flying in NZ, there was a guy doing stuff somewhere on the North Island on a 182 but that's all I knew about. If you are looking at Canada - good luck! You;ll need a minimum of the 50hr and will probably only get a job as a dockhand for a year or so... lots of competition.

Good luck

TurboOtter
19th Nov 2004, 07:54
The price for an endorsment is about the same here as in Canada. If you wanted to work in Canada they would have you on the docks for at least one season, then a slow start flying on the second. Full on in the third season.
Canada is for the majority seasonal work.

Here in Aus, it is not Seasonal work, the pay is usually better than other single engine jobs. There is work around, good float drivers are hard to find. Not sure where you are but sounds like you might be in sydney, if so go down to the seaplane base and have a talk with some of the guys, you just never know

good luck!

OpsNormal
20th Nov 2004, 04:38
Things/names have changed a bit since I last untied and got airborne out of RSE, but a few of the same people are still 'floating' around.

Henry Gorman owns/operates the C185 out of PLB. Steve Krug used to operate his DHC-2 under Henry's AOC, but I hear that has now changed? Henry did my float alighting gear endo and a bit of flying with him until one certain person who will remain very nameless here wrote-off VH-SLC at the foot of Barranjoey, neccessitating a move from Sydney to the Kimberley for job number two. Not sure if Steve uses his a/c for training or type experience, but is one of the more fair dinkum persons to frequent the water and airways in those parts.

Sydney Harbour Seaplanes (not known as that now?) out of RSE. As far as I am still aware Gary Fenelon is still flying there and an instructor that can get you going. At one stage they were using that Cherokee that used to live up on Brisbane Waters to do endos. Not sure if they still do this, or even whether Gary is still there (last I heard he was).

38 is not too late, especially in floats. One of the Sydney TAFE teachers (B.V) used to fly on weekends for SHS when I there in the mid-late 90's, and you will find that many of the people who spend any great time on floats wont go back to wheels. Mostly they are happy with their specialised field, and are paid reasonably well for single engine G.A. One bloke I know of is in his mid-late 40's now and has been flying up and down the east coast for at least the last ten years that I know of. Anyone know if he still has that handlebar and tells the worst jokes known to man!!?!

Float work is only really seasonal in some parts of the tropics (i.e KU, where at least one of the C206's goes back onto wheels for the wet), but does also slow down a bit in the southern winter.

There is a mob that flies an amphib C208 all year round IFR between the Qld coast and a couple of the Reef Islands (Orpheus etc), and various tourism operators in areas such as the Whitsundays that will look for other qualities that you can bring with you such as another language such as Japanese.

The cost of a rating varies from about $3-6K, but I'd be looking for someone who will let you come back from time to time and fly the odd deadleg with them, and put you through the hoops to keep you up to speed on floats. Some of the hardest sequences on floats are conducted without the engine turning.

Regards,
OpsN ;)

disco_air
22nd Nov 2004, 06:42
Henry Gorman will hopefully have 5.21 training approval to do endorsements early next year. Definately recommended!

Steve Krug who operates Beaver VH-SWB in Sydney does float endorsements, but not so economical as Beavers chew fuel.

Bill Lane up at Port Stephens also does endorsements for about $3k and 7 hours in a Hawk XP.

Gary took the Cherokee "Rateway Ayres" aka "Gateway Tyres" off floats. Not sure where the aeroplane is, but the floats are sitting out at BK.

Cheers

Disco

7gcbc
22nd Nov 2004, 23:02
Thanks so much for the replies.

I'm sure that I spoke to Gary at SYD Seaplanes on Victor 1, least he was 2 weekends ago when i was scenic-ing in a 182, and was certainly polite enough to ask me if i wanted to be inside (land side) him near bondi.

If I can find the time (and afford the parking!!!) I might drop around in a week or so and see what goes on at Rose Bay, although the Canadian Option is tempting (ie, get it all over in one insanely dense stressful course) as I work better that way, it's fairly nigh impossible to study part -time , work, and fly with two darling little screamers under 3.

I always wanted to learn Japanese, I guess "Welcome Aboard" and "Brace!!!! Brace!!" are fairly straightforward :} .


once again thx.

cheers

7gcbc

Stunty
25th Nov 2004, 23:56
Hi all,

Im an Aussie living in Canada (vancouver), and I just did a float rating - guess that makes me qualified to answer this on all fronts!!!

I did my float rating for 7 hours at $200 an hour on a Luscombe. Another school nearby charges 275 hour in the C180 - plus usual ground school, licence fees etc etc on top. I beleive their is a beaver nearby you can get for between 600-700hr for training.

Float flying here in Vancouver is huge - it must be the mecca for float pilots. Every day I think something like 150-200 float planes take off and land in Vancouver Harbour. Throw in all the other sea ports around the coast and every second plane you see has pontoons.

PM for more info - if anyone wants the $200 deal for a float rating I can hook you up with this guy. You wont get any other charges on top (such as 14% taxes which is normal) and it is a great fun little plane to fly. You wont find cheaper in BC.

disco_air
28th Nov 2004, 10:29
Henry Gorman at Sydney By Seaplane does float endorsements now.

See here (http://www.sydneybyseaplane.com) for details and give them a call!

Highly recommended, thorough training and normally ICUS work available afterwards.


...Disco