Steps to a Seaplane Rating
Required
- Valid Government Photo Id
- Valid FAA 3rd Class Medical or Higher
- Valid FAA Single Engine Airplane Land License
- Current Logbook for sign-offs and showing a current BFR
- Check or Cash for Examiner
Cost
$1200 (Private and Commercial) For Cessna 150/150 includes seaplane, instructor, fuel, and examiner fee.
$1900 (Private and Commercial) For Amphibious Husky A1-B includes seaplane, instructor, fuel, and examiner fee.
$2500 (ATP) For Amphibious Husky A1-B includes seaplane, instructor, fuel, and examiner fee.
Special rates and conditions apply for instruction at lakes other than Lake Martin.
Recurrency and extraneous flying @ $150/hr (C150) or $225/hr (Husky). Minimum time 1 hour
1. Buy & Read Notes of a Seaplane Instructor by Burke Mees:
Order from ASA, Aircraft Spruce, or Lake & Air
If you prefer a complete online ground school, we have partnered with Gleim Aviation to provide a comprehensive Seaplane Add-on Rating Course for only $29.95.
2. Print & Read all of the Cessna Training Guide (click here) or The Husky Training Guide (click here)
3. Contact Charles Welden at WaterWings to arrange an appointment.
Phone 205-807-3591 or Toll-Free 1-888-I-FLY-WET (435-9938) or e-mail seaplane150@gmail.com
4. Logon to the examiner's site and click on schedule a checkride. (click here)
5. Paperwork It is a good idea to have your 8710 Pilot Application (click here) completed either preferably through IACRA (click here) or the paper form (click here)
6. Arrive & Fly on day one with comfortable clothes, water friendly shoes, an open mind and a desire for adventure.
Course Description
Day 1: Flight Lesson #1
First, a thorough pre-flight and discussion of differences in land vs. float planes. The flight will last 2 to 3 hours, focusing on:
- Getting to know the airplane on water & in the air
- Studying different types of water, landing opportunities, & characteristics of each
- Lots of take-offs & landings
- Bush Pilot techniques
Next, it’s time to take a breather for a few hours, or the evening—and get some food! You’ll have ground school over a meal if the timing works out; otherwise it will be done somewhere that’s convenient.
Day 2: Flight Lesson #2
- Get answers to any questions from ground school
- Polish the last lesson’s maneuvers
- Add more complicated water maneuvers, plus crosswind and glassy water
take-offs & landings.
Checkride
If everything is in order you’ll take the checkride, which includes about an hour of oral and an hour of flight time with the flight examiner.