Seaplanes

[Gemboy75]

I've been asked if a non-pilot could go straight into training for a private pilot certificate in a single engine sea airplane.

I instictively thought "yes", but then I began to doubt my response and said I'd look into it.

What I've found so far is that yes you can except that the night flying requirements might have to be done in a land airplane, as I don't know if there is such a thing as a lighted seaport.

I would love any other feedback on this issue.

Thanks.

 

[Aspen]

I've been asked if a non-pilot could go straight into training for a private pilot certificate in a single engine sea airplane.

I instictively thought "yes", but then I began to doubt my response and said I'd look into it.

What I've found so far is that yes you can except that the night flying requirements might have to be done in a land airplane, as I don't know if there is such a thing as a lighted seaport.

I would love any other feedback on this issue.

Thanks.

Absoulutely. I know pilot who had their SES years prior to the SEL version.

 

[A Squared]

What I've found so far is that yes you can except that the night flying requirements might have to be done in a land airplane, as I don't know if there is such a thing as a lighted seaport.

Yes there are, Lake Hood Seaplane base (LHD) for one, although unless you are pretty sure you're going to be landing at a lighted base, night landings are nothing to screw around with, particularly for a student.

 

[mar]

Interesting comment

Yes there are, Lake Hood Seaplane base (LHD) for one, although unless you are pretty sure you're going to be landing at a lighted base, night landings are nothing to screw around with, particularly for a student.

You know what I'm thinking don't you?

 

[2000flyer]

I've been asked if a non-pilot could go straight into training for a private pilot certificate in a single engine sea airplane.

I instictively thought "yes", but then I began to doubt my response and said I'd look into it.

What I've found so far is that yes you can except that the night flying requirements might have to be done in a land airplane, as I don't know if there is such a thing as a lighted seaport.

I would love any other feedback on this issue.

Thanks.

Yes, as far as I know you can do you SES first. However, the cost will be considerably more. Why not do the SEL then go down with a grand to Jack Brown's in Florida and do an add-on. Be a lot less expensive that way.

2000Flyer

 

[A Squared]

You know what I'm thinking don't you?

Yes, I do.

 

[Diesel]

I instructed a guy at our floatplane base that was doing everything on a Seaplane. Even the cross countries were just to different lakes in Maine. Never been on wheels and didn't have any inention to do so.

An expensive way to do it. But he owned his own cub on floats and just putted around. I was kind of suprised he was even bothering to get a liscence in the first place.

 

[Gemboy75]

Diesel,

How did you go about satisfying the night time requirment?

3 hours of night instruction including a cross country flight over 100 nautical miles, and of course 10 take off and landings.

 

[Launchpad]

Diesel,

How did you go about satisfying the night time requirment?

3 hours of night instruction including a cross country flight over 100 nautical miles, and of course 10 take off and landings.

Uhm.... Just go flying at night.

 

[SweatHog]

Multi Engine Sea

Have a friend who got his Initial seaplane rating in a complex twin. He had his own Grumman Widgeon. Does a MES qualify you to fly SES without further training?...or is it just a formality to get the SES?

 

[Rick1128]

Have a friend who got his Initial seaplane rating in a complex twin. He had his own Grumman Widgeon. Does a MES qualify you to fly SES without further training?...or is it just a formality to get the SES?

NO and NO. It would be an additional rating. It is not unknown as many military pilots do the conversion and end up with a Commercial MEL. Then they will do a SEL add-on. I have seen one or two fail this checkride. Usually because the examiner feels their additude that the little airplane will not hurt them is dangerous and fails them.

 

[Spooky 1]

NO and NO. It would be an additional rating. It is not unknown as many military pilots do the conversion and end up with a Commercial MEL. Then they will do a SEL add-on. I have seen one or two fail this checkride. Usually because the examiner feels their additude that the little airplane will not hurt them is dangerous and fails them.

Did not know that "atitude" was a check parameter on the FAA list of observables? I get your drift, but still a little perplexed by this statement. Can you expand?

 

[Diesel]

Just flew it at night.

I've got more night landings than i want to remember. I was allways worried some guy would be out in a canoe with his girlfriend with no lights enjoying the stars.

 

[MauleSkinner]

Diesel,

How did you go about satisfying the night time requirment?

3 hours of night instruction including a cross country flight over 100 nautical miles, and of course 10 take off and landings.

I know a couple of guys who did their initial private pilot in seaplanes, but that was when they would issue them with the night restriction anywhere (not just Alaska), and there was no requirement to remove the restriction.

Not sure when they changed that rule, but it's been within the last 15 years.

Fly safe!

David

 

[Gemboy75]

Well here is an interesting follow up to this topic. Now what would you all consider an amphib to be,? Single engine land or single engine sea.

Then the night landings would be much easier as well.:bomb:

 

[Diesel]

actually when i got my commercial i did all my checkride in a seaplane. Since a 185 counts as a high performance plane and the water rudders count as retractable landing gear.

Then i went up and did a couple of wheel landings in the 150 and got my comm sel and ses.

An amphib would be both.

 

[USMCmech]

Well here is an interesting follow up to this topic. Now what would you all consider an amphib to be,? Single engine land or single engine sea.

If it can land on the water you must have the SES rating even if you never intend to get it wet.