float plane rating
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float plane rating
For fun, I'm thinking of doing a float rating.
any suggestions as to a good school in the USA?
Still have an FAA PPL but also a current ATPL here in the UK.
As this for me is a recreational rating, can I assume that M1 Visas do not apply?
Thanks
CP
any suggestions as to a good school in the USA?
Still have an FAA PPL but also a current ATPL here in the UK.
As this for me is a recreational rating, can I assume that M1 Visas do not apply?
Thanks
CP
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As this for me is a recreational rating, can I assume that M1 Visas do not apply?
The criteria for needing an M-1 visa is whether your primary purpose of visiting the USA is training/study or not. Recreation or professional has nothing to do with it.
A floatplane rating doesn't need TSA clearance though, since it doesn't significantly enhance your ability to fly an airliner into a building.
Do you want to add the rating to your FAA PPL or to your JAA ATPL? I hear a lot of good stories from people who went to Como lake in Italy to get their floatplane rating added to their JAA license. And I don't think any of the JAA schools in the USA do floatplane ratings. OTOH, if you want to add it to your FAA PPL, plenty of choice.
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Consider Canada. I recommend Lake Country Airways: floatplane training, endorsements, float charters and rentals, it's an excellent flying environment - very relaxed, and no waiting. if you come in the next weeks, the fall colours are spectacular.
I don't know how an FAA or UK license would get endorsed with the float rating, but it won't matter a lot, as you would not likely be flying solo anyway - insurance.
If you need more information about flying in this area, you may PM me.
Pilot DAR
I don't know how an FAA or UK license would get endorsed with the float rating, but it won't matter a lot, as you would not likely be flying solo anyway - insurance.
If you need more information about flying in this area, you may PM me.
Pilot DAR
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I would recommend Jack Browns Sea Plane Base in Florida, first class Instruction, well maintained fleet of Cub float planes and reasonable price. They are on the edge of Winterhaven Airfield and you could get some land plane time at Tailwheels.
Once you have the rating on your FAA ticket then to add it to the JAA ticket, you need to take the Seamanship Exam and send a copy of your FAA ticket and logbook to the CAA who will add the rating for the usual fee. No flight test or flight training required in the UK to do this. You can take the private Seamanship Exam at Ontrack Aviation at Wellesbourne with Alan Newton or the Professional Exam at Gatwick. Alan does a terrific one day theory course prior to sitting the exam and covers everything you need for private and pro. I did the private exam as a tester for going to Gatwick without problem.
To renew the rating you do it as part of the SEP renewal as long as you meet the SEP (Sea) requirements as well. All in LASORS. I renew mine by flying in Florida and revalidating by experience.
PM me for furher details.
Once you have the rating on your FAA ticket then to add it to the JAA ticket, you need to take the Seamanship Exam and send a copy of your FAA ticket and logbook to the CAA who will add the rating for the usual fee. No flight test or flight training required in the UK to do this. You can take the private Seamanship Exam at Ontrack Aviation at Wellesbourne with Alan Newton or the Professional Exam at Gatwick. Alan does a terrific one day theory course prior to sitting the exam and covers everything you need for private and pro. I did the private exam as a tester for going to Gatwick without problem.
To renew the rating you do it as part of the SEP renewal as long as you meet the SEP (Sea) requirements as well. All in LASORS. I renew mine by flying in Florida and revalidating by experience.
PM me for furher details.
I second Jack browns, great fun experience, nice people. The floatplane purists will probably disagree and recommend Canada but to be honest for most people it will be a useless rating anyway, and purely done while on vacation for the fun of it.
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Thanks for the tip Bose 
I did mine in, Michigan. Traverse City Michigan Air Plane Flight Training - Traverse Air Inc. Aviation Traverse City, Michigan
Edited to say - it was the most fun flying I have had for years!
Oh and no M1 is required for the FP rating if you are doing it as part of a holiday and already hold FAA Certificate.
I did mine in, Michigan. Traverse City Michigan Air Plane Flight Training - Traverse Air Inc. Aviation Traverse City, Michigan
Edited to say - it was the most fun flying I have had for years!
Oh and no M1 is required for the FP rating if you are doing it as part of a holiday and already hold FAA Certificate.
Last edited by englishal; 17th Sep 2009 at 11:32.
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Jack Brown's for warmer water, yes!
I got my water wings in Jack Brown's a few years back, that was a lot of fun, and if your family is involved, they'll enjoy the rest of Florida....
The course I was on had me, with 1,200 hours mostly in a Supercub, and a couple of airline pilots; that definitely gave me the advantage in a J3 on floats... but it takes nerve to taxi on the step!
Starting the engine is kind of special, too. Just step out on the float, and pull the prop through from behind; takes a bit of agility to climb back into the cockpit before the little darling goes her own way.
Also, when I first got there, I thought his lake was too small. But no worries, you just taxi like mad around the lake until you achieve takeoff....
Neat item; any lake in Florida that is not specifically verboten is your own little landing lake. Just anything else on or in the water has the right of way. And then there are those glassy waterlandings.....
Jack Brown will sign off your rating when the course is passed to his satisfaction, but he won't let you fly his precious J3 solo. The ticket only entitles you to buy your own......
Have fun!
The course I was on had me, with 1,200 hours mostly in a Supercub, and a couple of airline pilots; that definitely gave me the advantage in a J3 on floats... but it takes nerve to taxi on the step!
Starting the engine is kind of special, too. Just step out on the float, and pull the prop through from behind; takes a bit of agility to climb back into the cockpit before the little darling goes her own way.
Also, when I first got there, I thought his lake was too small. But no worries, you just taxi like mad around the lake until you achieve takeoff....
Neat item; any lake in Florida that is not specifically verboten is your own little landing lake. Just anything else on or in the water has the right of way. And then there are those glassy waterlandings.....
Jack Brown will sign off your rating when the course is passed to his satisfaction, but he won't let you fly his precious J3 solo. The ticket only entitles you to buy your own......
Have fun!
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Jack Brown will sign off your rating when the course is passed to his satisfaction, but he won't let you fly his precious J3 solo. The ticket only entitles you to buy your own......
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Quote:
I renew mine by flying in Florida and revalidating by experience.
You've have your FAA ASES for HOW LONG?
Discuss.
I renew mine by flying in Florida and revalidating by experience.
You've have your FAA ASES for HOW LONG?
Discuss.
Your point? Ah yes, as usual you don't have one, just want to pick a childish flight.
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At the risk of being even more pedantic - it is not a sign off but you must take a flight test with an FAA DPE or inspector and pass - Those training you cannot also conduct the flight test.
The flight test includes:
Normal, rough, glassy take offs and landings
Idle, step and plough taxi
Emergency procedures (Engine failures are fun in a seaplane !)
Stalls, steep turns, etc...(the weight of the floats adds a new dimension).
It was great fun, in Michigan you can land on any lake where it is not specifically prohibited and there are hundreds. We spend 2 days flying around at 500', though occasionally got up to the dizzy heights of 1300' for the transit between lakes. I think I did about 46 landings & takeoffs in 2 days and I'd highly recommend anyone doing the course.
The flight test includes:
Normal, rough, glassy take offs and landings
Idle, step and plough taxi
Emergency procedures (Engine failures are fun in a seaplane !)
Stalls, steep turns, etc...(the weight of the floats adds a new dimension).
It was great fun, in Michigan you can land on any lake where it is not specifically prohibited and there are hundreds. We spend 2 days flying around at 500', though occasionally got up to the dizzy heights of 1300' for the transit between lakes. I think I did about 46 landings & takeoffs in 2 days and I'd highly recommend anyone doing the course.
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My vote
Why Florida with its swampy landscape and bureaucratic visa issues? My vote is for Air-Hart Aviation on Lake Okanagan, in the absolutely stunning landscape of the British Columbian Rockies.
What I liked about this place was the ease of getting the Canadian endorsement of my UK PPL (10min over the counter job like it used to be in the US), but mainly that after you'd done your 5hr rating you could rent the aircraft solo. Most places won't let you rent float aircraft on your own for insurance reasons.... Picnincing in the mountain wilderness with just the a/c and the mrs was superb...
What I liked about this place was the ease of getting the Canadian endorsement of my UK PPL (10min over the counter job like it used to be in the US), but mainly that after you'd done your 5hr rating you could rent the aircraft solo. Most places won't let you rent float aircraft on your own for insurance reasons.... Picnincing in the mountain wilderness with just the a/c and the mrs was superb...
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Have you tried looking here - Home - The Seaplane Pilots Association at all the listings? I know of 3 - Manitowoc, WI, one in MInnesota and another in California, all are good, and all have an abundance of beautiful scenery.
I did mine with Caledonian Seaplanes about 12 years ago on Loch Earn, and assorted other lochs. It was at this time of the year, fabulous weather and just a fantastically fun weekend of flying.
I did mine with Caledonian Seaplanes about 12 years ago on Loch Earn, and assorted other lochs. It was at this time of the year, fabulous weather and just a fantastically fun weekend of flying.
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oooh errr
Just a note of caution re Caladonian Seaplanes... I have just returned from Loch Earn having completed my rating with Neil Gregory at the appropriately named 'Neil's Seaplanes'. Caladonian Seaplanes have by all accounts not had an aircraft on the water for the last 2 years, although their website is still up and running. Beware! I encountered disapointed punters during my stay who turned up having parted with cash up front 
only to find no trace of the owner or aircraft. 
For anyone going to Scotalnd, Neil is first class, not to mention Amanda and Robert at the Lochearnhead hotel who will spoil you wrotten! The most fun flying I have ever had. Do it!
only to find no trace of the owner or aircraft. For anyone going to Scotalnd, Neil is first class, not to mention Amanda and Robert at the Lochearnhead hotel who will spoil you wrotten! The most fun flying I have ever had. Do it!
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What I liked about this place was the ease of getting the Canadian endorsement of my UK PPL (10min over the counter job like it used to be in the US)
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BigAl's
I think it was Neil Gregory who I flew with, back when he was flying for George C? In G-BWUB, that I know for sure.
If it is the same Neil, and if you are in touch with him again, please thank him for introducing me to his version of the Thermette (Thermette - Why is Copper Important?) We now have our own, and use it on all our camping trips
I still tell people about how we would brief, fly, beach the plane on the lochshore, he would fill the little thermette up with loch water, make a cup of tea, produce some biscuits/shortbread, debrief, rebrief and off we went again. It was the most fun type rating I have ever done
I think it was Neil Gregory who I flew with, back when he was flying for George C? In G-BWUB, that I know for sure.
If it is the same Neil, and if you are in touch with him again, please thank him for introducing me to his version of the Thermette (Thermette - Why is Copper Important?) We now have our own, and use it on all our camping trips
I still tell people about how we would brief, fly, beach the plane on the lochshore, he would fill the little thermette up with loch water, make a cup of tea, produce some biscuits/shortbread, debrief, rebrief and off we went again. It was the most fun type rating I have ever done