Cheap seaplane rating?

[skid]

Looking for any info for a good place to go to get a cheap seaplane rating. Single and Multi (at some point) Got any good suggestions? Live in Portland, OR area / North Central, IL area. Can travel anywhere to take care of it.

 

[imacdog]

You might want to check out Kenmore, they have a neat little Super Cub that they restored and train in. I haven't flown it but it has stopped by the dock while we load or unload our planes.

 

[OrcasC180]

I have a friend that got his seaplane rating at Kenmore last summer and he was very happy with the quality of the instruction. I don't think they're the cheapest -- about $1500 I think.

 

[Crimson03]

I did mine at Twitchells in Maine, took 4 or 5 hours. They have 2 C172 floatplanes 85 hour wet. If you have ten hours in type they will rent to you, although you will be flying without insurance.

 

[j41driver]

If you have ten hours in type they will rent to you, although you will be flying without insurance.

How much is renter's insurance these days?

 

[Crimson03]

How much is renter's insurance these days?

I looked into that and I could not find anyone who would cover seaplanes with nonowner insurance. The only way to be covered (that I could find) w/nonowner insurance in a seaplane was with CFI insurance-If you are a CFI-SEL you by default become a seaplane instructor and you can get coverage that way, although I'm not sure if you are then covered if you are out flying for fun and not giving flight instruction.
BTH the last nonowners policy that I had was $325 per year for $20,000 hull. I bought it for renting a J-3, tailwheel aircraft were obviously covered as were gliders, no helicopters or seaplanes though (not that 20k would help much fixing either of those).

 

[Flyin Tony]

http://www.shebleaviation.com/

Taken from there web
Course Cost.....
The cost of this course in the PA-18 is $1,025

The cost of this course in the LA-4-200 is $1,225

Approximate 3% Discount for Cash Payments
Cash, Money Orders, Cashier Checks, Travelers Checks
**** Discount is only For these Prices ****

Type Aircraft/Equipment.....

Piper PA-18 & Lake Buccaneer LA-4-200
Course Description.....

The ASES add-on is done in ONE day. Your materials will be mailed to you upon sign up (short notice sign-ups excluded- please call). The training day consists of four to five hours of flight training and your check ride. Training is in a PA-18 Super Cub. The training can be done on the Colorado River, Lake Mohave, or Lake Havasu depending on differing weather conditions.
Course Includes.....

The instructor, study material, aircraft time, transportation and initial examiner fee, are all included in the total price. This is a 1 day course. Please bring your own headset.
Pre-Course Requirements.....

Private pilots license
Valid FAA Medical

 

[Immelman]

Has anyone here done the course at Sheble??? I have a couple friends who went there for ATPs and it seemed okay.. but I have been wondering about the quality of their SES aircraft and instruction for some time now... would make a cool vacation.

 

[bobbysamd]

Joe LaPlaca and Sheble

You might try Joe LaPlaca in Lake Havasu, Arizona. This web page lists contact information for him, along with Sheble and some others.

I went to Sheble for my ATP sixteen years ago. The place did the job and got me out the door with my ATP in less than twenty-four hours. When you go to places such as Sheble, you have to be extremely well-prepared beforehand because you won't receive much training.

Have fun with your training!

 

[Kawasumi_Kichou]

I did my SES add-on with Joe LaPlaca. At the time he had a 150hp C-150 on floats. It was a one-day course and the price included one night's stay at the local Holiday Inn. The day starts early, especially in the summer--he'll pick you up at the motel at 5am. The training took place on Lake Havasu, and further down river for glassy water stuff. I took a day off work and flew down the night before, then back right after the checkride. He mailed the study materials and expected you to have thoroughly read them before arrivng. I agree that you need to be very current to do this, as one day may not be enough time if you're rusty. It was a lot of fun.

 

[Flyin Tony]

I know a few people that went to shebles for the CFI CFII Mulit com and MEI. They have said nothing but good things. I almost sure im going to head out there to do my CFI sometime around the 1st.

 

[Illini Pilot]

There is a guy that does it in Moline, IL on the river...Quad Cities Seaplane Base i belive. Last i heard it was $825 in a C180

found the site:

http://www.flyfloats.com/

i know several people that went out there and all were happy

 

[Ralgha]

Dude, ignore all the other posts. There's a great place right down the road from you that will cost you ~$1,000 last I looked into it. Quality instruction, not a "rating mill". Guy's name is Dave Wiley, place is in Lake Oswego, OR.

http://www.faegre.org/CSPA/dave.html

http://www.airnav.com/airport/2og3

503-636-4930

Can't do multi-seaplane there, but what the hell. You need a good base to start on anyway right?

 

[flyt mjr]

There is a guy that does it in Moline, IL on the river...Quad Cities Seaplane Base i belive. Last i heard it was $825 in a C180

found the site:

http://www.flyfloats.com/

i know several people that went out there and all were happy

yeah...jimmy geotch (sp??) is the guy that runs it....its a good deal....i paid 700 for mine about 2 years ago, but he said his insurance was about to go up so 825 is probly it these days its an awsome time though, cruisin down the mississippi in N9606B.

 

[skid]

Hey guys thanks for all the replies. The funny thing is that the day after I asked this "?" I ran across the new issue of Private Pilot magazine (April 2005) which has a huge list of places across the country on where to go for training. So if anyone else is wondering I suggest check it out.

I do have one other ? that I have not looked into. Does anyone know what the deal is with giving instruction in seaplanes after I finish the add on? Hours needed before I can or what? Also what can I expect the ride to be like for the multi add on to my Multi ATP? Is there any additional things required vs a private/commercial add on?

 

[Spooky 1]

Not sure just what you asked, but if it was what is the difference between the Commercial MES and the ATP MES, you will have to demonstrate some instrument procedures, i.e., holding, NP approach and an ILS with an engine pulled back. Not many airplanes available for this type of work, unless you really have some deep pockets.

Good luck!