Seaplane rating
 

I did my Seaplane rating at Jack Browns a couple of years ago. Does anyone know if there is anywhere else in the UK, other than Loch Earnhead, where I can do the necessary to have it put on my CAA licence?? Scotland is a fantastic place, but a bind to get to for a southerner.

I think that Caledonian seaplanes is the only seaplane school, but there's a chap called Iain McClelland at the CAA flight test centre at Kidlington who is a seaplane examiner - he might be able to oblige you.

G

Seaplane rating
 

Thanks Genghis I'll give him a try

Iain McClelland
 

I flew with him in New Guinea years ago and I'd like to get into touch with him.
Does anybody know his e-mail address?

See also here www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=242418 for a possibility.
g45

Use the forum search facility and you will get most of the relevant info currently available.

Isn't there a guy on the E Coast using a Maule on amphibs still going??

VEEPS

I popped next door the other day where the Maule's owner is/was an instructor. Apparently he and it are having a high old time in Ireland.

St Angelo Airport in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland so says Steve's website:

http://www.the-amphib-flyingclub.co.uk/

Flying in Scotland ...
 

Hard to get too ?

You're having a laugh ?

36 flights a day between Glasgow and London, and over 40 to/from Edinburgh .. fares starting at £1. Car hire £20 a day and a 90 minute or so drive from the airport to Loch Earn ...

Two operators on Loch Earn

Caledonian Seaplanes

or

Neil's Seaplanes

with another one planning to start at Glasgow International Airport next year ...

Scotia Seaplanes

:ok:

I flew with Neil Gregory a few weeks ago. Can't recommend him highly enough, excellent instructor with a brand new Husky. Did half an our or so and now have the bug. Will be doing the rating next summer :)

I'd like to do a sea-plane rating but, as I understand it, there's bugger-all places to land! (Are we really an Island?):ugh:

hundreds to choose from
 

Whilst I agree that may be the case in Merry Olde England due to the trespass laws.. in Scotland we can basically land anywhere (so long as it ain't prohibited to boats). Using the sea is a bit trickier as the real issue (apart from good anti-corrosion techniques and a lot of washing) is swell. Any swell can be hard to spot form the air, so your eally need a sheltered sea-loch. Then of course you gotta make sure yoi don't end up beached as the tide goes out !!

Come up to Scotland, it's cheaper than flying transatlantic and nearer than you think.:ok:

Totally. I did a few circuits onto Loch Earn then up to loch tay for a few more. Seems like the locals enjoy seeing the aeroplane :D

Agreed - but what has put me off completing the rating so far is the lack of anything to fly afterwards. I believe insurance prevents Neil or Caledonian offering solo hire and groups are a bit thin on the ground. Any pointers towards a group or solo hire would be welcome.

g45

I plan on having a homebuilt Cub clone on floats( hopefully amphibian ) ready for flying by next spring.

My plan is to do dual training with it and also am thinking of fractional ownership for time building.

The cost will be cheap compared to England as I live on Vancouver Island and now that I have retired from commercial flying I will be doing it for something to do.

Should be around 75 pounds per hour dual. ( $150.00 Canadian )

Chuck,

Have you really retired? I seem to remember you said that once a few years back. ;)

But I like the sound of £75/hr for a seaplane rating, and I've never been to Vancouver Island. I'll pm you for details if/when I have the time/dosh.

UK Transport Solution with Floatplanes
 

Hi,
Although not ppl yet and still Scottish!, current seaplanes and those of old Sutherland Flying boats, Catalinas and the like do have a nostalgic and different attraction, even if it just gets around ever increasing landing fees.:}
I have found a study from Michael Clarke, University of Central Lancaster, which you may have already seen, and it raises the question and indeed resurrects the idea of seaplanes being used extensively across the UK as is done already in Vancouver.
Here's the directory link:
http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/Faculties/...f/vol5/issue1/
Please select Commentary1.pdf (Adobe Reader required)
Beyond the noise and environmental protesters, I believe there is weight in his study and would hope one day that the UK could look to this as a way of alternative transport.
Happy reading:)

In response to the original question - I believe The Amphibious Flying Club are operating between Enniskillen in NI (EGAB) and thier UK base is probably the closest option. I believe they may do self fly hire for proficient pilots.
I would whole heartedly recommend Aero Club Como in Italy if you wish to combine a holiday with a check out. The Italians dont have the over powering attitudes that prevail in UK seaplane hierarcy. More like the US in that respect. Flying is just flying.
Just a comment on Seaplane flying in general in these parts, as I have my own seaplane at my house here in IRL.
It's a very limited, specialist, labour intensive, and expensive hobby.
I find it highly weather dependent, try taxing downwind in a 25 mph wind.... never mind docking. Its maintenance intensive and working on the plane at remote locations without services is awkward. Landing sites can be dangerous at best - there is more rock in some irish lakes than water itself.... and its a pretty lonely existance it you like that flying club scene.
But hey I do over 140hrs seaplane flying a year so I guess I must like it.
Regards,
WF