SeaPlanes are crap?!

MMestdagh · 8th Jan 2002, 17:56

Sorry about the subject but I'm just trying to get some attention here.

Does anyone has an idea of where I can get my floatplane rating inside Europe, any other info about it is also welcome? I just need to get released on one of those.

Cheers, MM

Wireless · 8th Jan 2002, 23:03

There's an outfit called Caledonian Seaplanes Ltd, based out of Cumbernauld in Scotland I believe. Tel: +44 01236 457777.

I don't know much about them, other than the above. It's worth a pop tho'

SAF-DK · 9th Jan 2002, 04:16

Billund Air Center used to do ratings. <a href="http://www.billundaircenter.dk" target="_blank">www.billundaircenter.dk</a> - don't know if they still do though!

Rgrds

NIK

Jetavia · 10th Jan 2002, 08:28

Billund Air Center doesn't offer seaplane training anymore .. the seaplane now has a normal gear and haul skydivers instead ..

TowerDog · 11th Jan 2002, 15:54

Why Europe?

Go to Florida and train at Jack Brown Seaplane base.
Single or twin sea. Good courses, loads of fun.. <img src="cool.gif" border="0">

TowerDog · 11th Jan 2002, 19:03

By the way, never regreted getting my float ratings: A year or two after I had the tickets, took a vacation from flying wheel planes in Alaska and went down to the Virgin Islands to lick sun and rum-punches: Saw a Twin-Otter on floats being docked in St. Croix harbour while the pilots were eating lunch. Went over and asked the ticket agent if they needed pilots?
He said, yes we always need pilots but nobody has the twin engine float rating, so if ya don't have one, go away!

Uh, yes sir, I happen to have such a licence in my pocket. The guy grabbed me by the elbow and called the owner: I got hired on the spot....

Did 500 hours DHC-6-300 on floats, great fun.

Jetavia · 12th Jan 2002, 02:55

Towerdog do the company still exist ? do you have a www link ?

TowerDog · 12th Jan 2002, 03:06

Jetavia:

No, the company went under in 1985.
There is however another similar operation called Seaborne.
Last time I was down there (March 2001) they flew Twin-Otters on floats between STX and STT.
Heard a rumor that they went Tango Uniform, but not sure.

Another guy is starting a "Ground Effect Vehicle"
operation there in a month or two.
He is looking for drivers for the flying boats:
6 seater funny looking craft with a pod engine and pusher prop. Short stubby wings that will fly the thing at about 10 to 20 feet over the drink at 100 miles per hour.
He is looking for folks with both sea plane and boat experience. (The job requires a US Coast Guard skipper license as the FAA won't have nothing to do with it..

)

I got a call about the job and was tempted to do it, but Mrs. TowerDog won't let me quit my flying job to go on another adventure. Moral of the story, don't get married....

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