WaterWings Seaplanes
Single Engine Sea Floatplane Ratings
Steps To A Seaplane Rating
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Required
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Valid US Government Photo Id (Drivers License, Military Id, or Passport)
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Valid FAA 3rd Class Medical or Higher or BasicMed Qualification
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Valid FAA Single Engine Airplane Land Private or Higher Certificate
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Current Logbook for sign-offs and showing a current BFR
Cost
$2700 (Private and Commercial) For Amphibious Husky A-1B/C includes seaplane, instructor, fuel, and examiner fee. This includes up to 6 hours in the Husky. If additional hours are wanted or needed they will be billed at the hourly rate of $375.
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$4500 (ATP) For Amphibious Husky A-1B/C includes seaplane, instructor, fuel, and examiner fee. New rules require 50 hours in Category and Class (not included in fee). You must already have a US Commercial SES pilot certificate and be current in instrument flying and seaplanes.
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Special rates and conditions apply for instruction at sites other than Shelby Co Airport (KEET)
Recurrency and extraneous flying @ $375/hr (Husky). Minimum time 1 hour
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1. Get your ground school done.
We highly recommend the Gleim Aviation Seaplane Add-on Rating Course for only $35.99 GLEIM SARC. Your other option is to Buy & Read Notes of a Seaplane Instructor by Burke Mees:Order from ASA, Aircraft Spruce, or Amazon.
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2. Print & Read all of the The Husky Training Guide (click here)
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3. Become familiar with the appropriate FAA Airman Certification Standards for either the Private or Commercial rating being sought.
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3. Contact WaterWings to arrange an appointment.
Phone 205-651-7000 or e-mail iflywet@gmail.com
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4. 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) For the aircraft type use AVIAT-A-1
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5. Arrive & Fly on day one with comfortable clothes, water friendly shoes, an open mind and a desire for adventure.
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6. Go to www.CWDPE.com and schedule a checkride. This is primarily to get all of your information for the checkride
7. Bring Pilot License, Driver License, Logbook, Medical, W/B, 32G-64G Sd Card or Memory Stick for Videos.
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:
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Getting to know the airplane on water & in the air
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Studying different types of water, landing opportunities, & characteristics of each
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Lots of take-offs & landings
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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.
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Day 2: Flight Lesson #2
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Get answers to any questions from ground school
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Polish the last lesson’s maneuvers
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Add more complicated water maneuvers, plus crosswind and glassy water take-offs & landings.
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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.
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Husky Amphib Flight Manual Supplements (Performance Charts ETC)
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IACRA FAA Electronic 8710 form --- Please have this filled out and tell your instructor when you submit it and let your instructor know your FTN Use Aviat A-1 or for the aircraft type in IACRA.
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We highly recommend the GLEIM Seaplane Add-on Rating Course for only $35.99.GLEIM SARC
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Or if you prefer to read a book: Buy & Read Notes of a Seaplane Instructor by Burke Mees:
Order from ASA, Aircraft Spruce, or Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions.
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Q. I am due for a bi-annual flight review—will this count?
A. Yes, any additional rating will count as a biannual flight review as long as your current BFR has not expired.
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Q. What if I fail my checkride.
A. We have a remarkably high pass rate with our examiners, but should something go wrong in a checkride, we can sometimes do the recheck the same day. Additional training will be provided at the hourly rate. Some examiners charge a $400 retest fee. This retest fee is not included in your basic flat rate cost.
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Q. What should I bring?
A. Water shoes, shorts, cool clothes, your current medical certificate, government issued photo id, license, and logbook.
Q. Are there any minimum requirements for the course?
A. We require at least a private FAA pilot license, a valid 3rd class medical or BasicMed Qualification, and a current BFR.
Q. What is the schedule of the course?
A. Optimally, during the summer, you should arrive to have 2-3 hours of training the first afternoon or evening. We do not train at night. You will have the evening to study and rest up. The next morning we will have another 2-3 hours of flying and we will arrange your appointment with the examiner. The schedule will be more flexible during the week when there is less boat traffic, and during the non-summer months when boating traffic is minimal. The plane is heated and comfortable in the cooler months.
Q. What kind of weather is required?
A. Basically VFR minimums and at least one session and the examination will require minimum ceilings of 2500 to 3000 feet at the airport for stalls and high work. The rest of the training will be low and require about 1000 feet at the airport. Wind should be less than 12kts for your training.
Q. Can I fly in?
A. The crew at Shelby County Aiport airport is very friendly, and have Jet-A and Avgas available at reasonable rates. Transportation can be arranged to and from the training site.
Q. Are hotels available nearby?
A. There are many hotels near the airport Hotels Nearby KEET
Q. What can I do to improve the experience?
A. Come prepared with a positive attitude to have a fun day of learning on the water.
Q. What if I just can't get it?
A. If you are a reasonably proficient single engine pilot you should have no insurmountable problems and really enjoy the experience, however, if it appears that you will need more time or possibly just some other arrangements, we will let you know as early as possible. By the same token after flight training has begun, if you are just not having any fun other arrangements can be made as well. Above all this should be a fun learning experience.
Q. What should I do to prepare ahead of time?
A. You should purchase "Notes of a Seaplane Instructor" from ASA, Aircraft Spruce, or Amazon. web sites, or wherever you choose or you can do the online Gleim Course. A good knowledge base ahead of time will allow you to concentrate on the flying portion of the journey.
Q. Can I set up a clinic for a group of pilots?
A. We can arrange group rates and accommodations. There is currently only one seaplane in the fleet, thus we are limited by time and resources. I would recommend early fall or spring so that the days are still reasonably long and not as hot.
Q. Can the training be done at another location?
A. Yes, but only after certain circumstances are met, and schedules allow.
Q. What if I need to cancel or reschedule?
A. 24 Hours notice is required to reschedule.
Q. What if the weather turns bad?
A. We will have to be flexible and deal with this will be a case-by-case basis. Check with AviationWeather.gov, ForeFlight and whatever your favorite aviation weather sources in the days before the lesson.
Q. I am already a seaplane pilot and I just want to get checked out in the Husky and get current. What are the arrangements?
A. This can be arranged on an hourly basis. Solo flight is not permitted by our insurance.
Q. What is the hourly rate for an instructor and the plane?
A. Our hourly rate is $375 for the Aviat Husky wet with a one hour minimum.
Need a gift certificate. Call or email us and we will get you setup.
