tips for new seaplane operation

[nudge]

hi, we are looking at establishing a vfr charter scenic operation in southern europe (non-tidal, ocean based).

i would appreciate the pro's and cons of amphib vs straight floats for 4-5 pax piston aircraft.

i have a lot of time on 206/207's but have recently learned that with the amphib setup, i would loose 1.5 pax. any other tips or info like this is appreciated.

each flight is going to be max 30 mins, therefore range is not really an issue - but "bums on seats" is - therefore we need something that can carry a lot, but over a short distance.

what are the 206's or 185 (6 seat option) like on floats?

any other options would be really appreciated.

also any hints for setting up such a base would be great. currently we have zero infrastructure - no fuel, no water based maintenance, no jetties etc....

thanks in advance

[MaximumPete]

There's a float plane operation in Norway, just outside Bergen that might be able to help.

I don't know the name but the colour scheme looks suspiciously like SAS.

I was due to go flying with them but the weather played up.

Good Luck

MP;)

[benedictus]

there's a floatplane operation on Loch Lomond in Scotland, not ocean based but might be able to give you an idea they use the following:

6 seat (5 passengers + Pilot) Cessna Turbo Stationair T206H
Wipline 3450 amphibious floats
Fuel injected 310 horsepower TIO-540 Textron Lycoming engine
Range - 713 nautical miles
Gross weight 3792 lbs
Take-off run (water) 1,700' at gross weight
Take-off run (land) 900' at gross weight
Landing distance typically less than 500' (water)
Cruise speed (75%) 128 KTAS
27,000' service ceiling
Interior: Leather seats, State of the art avionics including a GPS colour moving map display, Autopilot

The website address is http://www.lochlomondseaplanes.com

[dusk2dawn]

Transport Canada (http://www.tc.gc.ca/air/menu.htm) used to have a lot of relevant ops info on seaplanes like this info for passengers (http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/systemSafety/brochures/tp12365.htm).