float flying
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,443
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From: Cambridge, England, EU
Originally Posted by Jinkster
anyone done it? experiences, schools, uk or elsewhere.....
But I still haven't found anyone who will let me fly a Beaver. (Legally that is. Taking the controls on a charter was all good fun but it would be much better if I could put it in my log book.)
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,130
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From: U.K.
There's a Beaver sitting next to our hangar at Cumbernauld, unfortunately it's in bits and has round rubber objects keeping it off the floor.
I wonder if the owner would sell it though, since it hasn't moved in yonks and all the parts are there and it's in good nick.
I wonder if the owner would sell it though, since it hasn't moved in yonks and all the parts are there and it's in good nick.
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 1
From: Cambridge, England, EU
I thought that the problem was not so much the $1m to buy the thing, nor even finding an instructor, but trying to get anyone to insure it for training. But yes, buying your own is probably the easiest route to getting to fly one.
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: New South Wales
Trent900 - THINK BIG
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 88
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From: London
Jinkster,
If you're UK bound; looking for an established training centre and like dramatic scenery plus want to really push the floats right out
you may wish to consider AEROCLUBCOMO based at Lake Como not far from Lugano Airport. They offer the following ratings according to the their website. I have never used them but am very tempted. I have flown over the lake and its mountains - really beautiful
http://www.aeroclubcomo.com/
"For a Hydro rating a Pilots needs at least 8 hours dual.
For an Amphibian rating about 14 hours dual.
Later "advanced" water flying courses.
Lesson in Italian or English."
Good luck & let us know your thoughts and how you get on if you go down that route.
EG
If you're UK bound; looking for an established training centre and like dramatic scenery plus want to really push the floats right out
you may wish to consider AEROCLUBCOMO based at Lake Como not far from Lugano Airport. They offer the following ratings according to the their website. I have never used them but am very tempted. I have flown over the lake and its mountains - really beautiful http://www.aeroclubcomo.com/
"For a Hydro rating a Pilots needs at least 8 hours dual.
For an Amphibian rating about 14 hours dual.
Later "advanced" water flying courses.
Lesson in Italian or English."
Good luck & let us know your thoughts and how you get on if you go down that route.
EG
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Cloud Nine
Spasharound in the lochs of Scotland
Well, you really can't beat splashing around in the lochs of Scotland... adn stunning scenery to boot. Como is lovely and the coffee is great, but the Scottish mountains have that different wilderness feel to them - perhaps more akin to the Canadian or Alaskan experience but on a manageable scale (ie. not chased by bears or icebergs etc).
Caledonian Seaplanes - little yellow Piper Super Cub on straight floats - based at Drummond Hotel, east end of Loch Earn. A superb all round experience (with plenty to do for the family in the area) and good for building that initial experience/awareness of float flying and mountain flying. Training involves dropping in to Lochs Earn, Voil, Lubnaig, Tay, Rannoch and Lomond.
Neil's Seaplanes - red amphibian Husky - at western end of Loch Earn (Lochearnhead). Retractable gear, CS prop and a bit more power than the SuperCub. Seen around Lochs Lubnaig, Loch Awe and over toward Oban.
Both are very highly recommended with experienced, patient and humourous instructors.
There really is nothing to beat a few hours float training - pulling up on the shore in front of a nice hotel for a leisurely lunch or picnic. And Loch Earn is only an hour and a bit from Glasgow.
There are also rumours of an amphibious 172 taking to the skies in the near future. Should be a 3 seater. Training and shares may be available.
Caledonian Seaplanes - little yellow Piper Super Cub on straight floats - based at Drummond Hotel, east end of Loch Earn. A superb all round experience (with plenty to do for the family in the area) and good for building that initial experience/awareness of float flying and mountain flying. Training involves dropping in to Lochs Earn, Voil, Lubnaig, Tay, Rannoch and Lomond.
Neil's Seaplanes - red amphibian Husky - at western end of Loch Earn (Lochearnhead). Retractable gear, CS prop and a bit more power than the SuperCub. Seen around Lochs Lubnaig, Loch Awe and over toward Oban.
Both are very highly recommended with experienced, patient and humourous instructors.
There really is nothing to beat a few hours float training - pulling up on the shore in front of a nice hotel for a leisurely lunch or picnic. And Loch Earn is only an hour and a bit from Glasgow.
There are also rumours of an amphibious 172 taking to the skies in the near future. Should be a 3 seater. Training and shares may be available.
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Deepest Warwickshire
http://www.caledonianseaplanes.co.uk £150/hr Super Cub in Scotland
http://www.the-amphib-flyingclub.co.uk £250/hr Maule in Midlands.
Saw a Cessna last week on Loch Lomond...
http://www.the-amphib-flyingclub.co.uk £250/hr Maule in Midlands.
Saw a Cessna last week on Loch Lomond...
Gizajob
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: uk
Ontrack Aviation are based at Wellesbourne - www.ontrackaviation.com - and also do stuff on floats. Contact Alan Newton there and visit the website to get the lowdown on the requirements for the class rating.
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Deepest Warwickshire
EGBK, yes but they iirc are using TAFC's Maule.
Also saw an ad for "Neil's Seaplanes Ltd" at the flying club today based on a Aviat Husky. £185/hr.
http://www.neils-seaplanes.com/
Also saw an ad for "Neil's Seaplanes Ltd" at the flying club today based on a Aviat Husky. £185/hr.
http://www.neils-seaplanes.com/
Registered User **
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Sydney
But I still haven't found anyone who will let me fly a Beaver. (Legally that is. Taking the controls on a charter was all good fun but it would be much better if I could put it in my log book.)
There are at least two operators I know of out here in OZ that do SES ratings using the beaver, ballpark is 7k+ aussie pesos , so that works out to be around 12 pence in old money.
It's probably worth the scheduled flight if you think about it.
you'll spend most of the time "sailing" the bloody thing anyway
Joined: May 2006
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From: UK
Jack Brown's is well worth a visit if in the Orlando area of Florida.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,214
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From: S Warwickshire
I did it with Joe LaPlaca at Lake Havasu on the Colorado.
A wonderful variety of Canyons, desert, Dams and a very enjoyable experience.
I don't know if Joe is still doing it, but where else can you taxy under London Bridge?
A wonderful variety of Canyons, desert, Dams and a very enjoyable experience.
I don't know if Joe is still doing it, but where else can you taxy under London Bridge?
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 1
From: Cambridge, England, EU
Originally Posted by 7gcbc
Gertrude,
There are at least two operators I know of out here in OZ that do SES ratings using the beaver, ballpark is 7k+ aussie pesos , so that works out to be around 12 pence in old money.
It's probably worth the scheduled flight if you think about it.
you'll spend most of the time "sailing" the bloody thing anyway
There are at least two operators I know of out here in OZ that do SES ratings using the beaver, ballpark is 7k+ aussie pesos , so that works out to be around 12 pence in old money.
It's probably worth the scheduled flight if you think about it.
you'll spend most of the time "sailing" the bloody thing anyway
