Originally Posted by
Pilot DAR
The fact that an aircraft may have additional equipment, which broaden its capabilities, does not mean that those capabilities must be used, nor that the pilot, who would like to fly the aircraft in it's simple form, requires additional qualification for the broader capabilities that the aircraft could have. Every IFR equipped aircraft I have known could still be legally flown VFR, by a non IFR rated pilot, and no one was offended, why would floats be different?
Because the landing techniques and skill for operating a float variant are different from a land variant in amphibious mode. So our regulator has deemed it appropriate to draw a line....... Not saying I really have a view on it either way but as an examiner I am expected to follow the guidance.