Sea Plane Instructing

[proav]

If I have a Commercial cert. with Airplane single engine land and sea AND a Flight Instructor cert. with single and multiengine airplane ratings, aren't I legal to flight instruct in a "sea plane"? Are there any minimum hours required, such as the 5 hour rule in make and model for twins, that I need to abide by?
I have always been a little confused with these issues.
Can anyone clarify?

 

[bobbysamd]

If I have a Commercial cert. with Airplane single engine land and sea AND a Flight Instructor cert. with single and multiengine airplane ratings, aren't I legal to flight instruct in a "sea plane"?

Sure you are.

14 CFR 61.195(b) sets forth the aircraft in which an appropriately-rated CFI may instruct:

Sec. 61.195 - Flight instructor limitations and qualifications.

A person who holds a flight instructor certificate is subject to the following limitations:

(b) Aircraft ratings. A flight instructor may not conduct flight training in any aircraft for which the flight instructor does not hold:

(1) A pilot certificate and flight instructor certificate with the applicable category and class rating . . . .

(emphasis added)

14 CFR 61.5(c) sets forth the flight instructor certificates and ratings that are issued by the FAA:

b) The following ratings are placed on a pilot certificate (other than student pilot) when an applicant satisfactorily accomplishes the training and certification requirements for the rating sought:

(1) Aircraft category ratings --

(i) Airplane.

(ii) Rotorcraft.

(iii) Glider

According to 14 CFR 61.5, there is no seaplane category or class instructor rating issued by the FAA.

Applly both of these regs together. You hold a single-engine sea rating on your pilot certificate. You hold the appropriate instructor rating. Therefore, you can instruct in seaplanes.

Are there any minimum hours required, such as the 5 hour rule in make and model for twins, that I need to abide by?

That is set forth in 14 CFR 61.195(f), which addresses instruction in aircraft other than single-engine airplanes:

(f) Training received in a multiengine airplane, a helicopter, or a powered-lift. A flight instructor may not give training required for the issuance of a certificate or rating in a multiengine airplane, a helicopter, or a powered-lift unless that flight instructor has at least 5 flight hours of pilot-in-command time in the specific make and model of multiengine airplane, helicopter, or powered-lift, as appropriate.

(emphasis added)

There are no restrictions in the regs on PIC requirements for single-engine aircraft. Therefore, as far as the FAA is concerned, you can hop right in a single-engine seaplane and give instruction. Of course, the insurance company will have different ideas about that.

Hope that helps. Have fun splashing and dashing.

 

[Rick1128]

There are no time requirements. You just need to how the approriate category and class ratings. However, seaplane flying is specialized and you as a seaplane instructor need to have the appropriate level of experience to instruct in them. It is a very unique enviroment, always changing with all sorts of hidden traps and surprises.

My biggest problem is with the pilots who just got their seaplane rating and think that they are now a big, bad bush pilot. Nothing could be further from the truth. They think that they now can do all the things they have heard about. It takes years of experience doing this sort of flying before one can truly call themselves a bush pilot. It has been my experience and observation that the true bush pilots know their limitations and do not push them.

As for the so called 'bush pilots', Ihave pulled enough of them out of the woods, both dead and alive, to support this opinion.

 

[proav]

Thanks for the information, very helpful. I definetly dont consider myself an expert or "Bush Pilot". I simply have a license to learn and as with all other aspects of aviation the best way to learn more is by teaching more. I have a wide variety of experience with all types of aircraft from homebuilts to jets and also am an avid boater. None of this makes me an expert but does put some tools in my toolbox. I approach each new endeavor such as this with much caution and try to instill the same in my students.
If anybody else has any useful input or tips I would be greatfull.

Thanks

 

[Rick1128]

I am glad that you realize that you have much to learn. In reality, we all do. Please pass that attitude on to your students.

You will be surprised how much your boating experience will help you with a seaplane. After all it is a boat with wings. I grew up using canoes and found it helped my a great deal when I got into seaplanes.