Confined area landings are pretty straight forward when you’re just talking about a small lake. Landing in “confined” canyons or rivers is something we’ll cover in an advanced course. Obviously, a half-mile long lake with no trees may be less confined than a 3/4 mile long lake with 100′ trees on either side. Here are… Continue reading Confined Area Landing
Topic Category: Seaplane
Quick Tips
Below you’ll find a list of short videos that help prepare you for both your seplane flying and the checkride!
Regular Seaplane Flight Lessons
Here you can view four regular seaplane flight lessons. This is similar to what you can expect when you attend most “weekend” seaplane rating courses. These videos are less “ground school” style, and more realistic one on one with a student and instructor of what your training actually might look like. These videos are a… Continue reading Regular Seaplane Flight Lessons
Don Lee’s Do’s and Don’ts
For those of you who don’t know, Don Lee is one of the legendary Alaskan bush pilots who has been flying floats longer than most of us have been alive. The video above is a few tips from Don of how to control your seaplane.
Preflighting Your Seaplane
To sum up how a seaplane preflight is different: Watch for the float plane listing or tilting when you first approach it. Remove water from all compartments. Ensure drain plugs are in place and secure on floats or hull. Check your bilge pump is working if installed. Be cautious how you stand on the float… Continue reading Preflighting Your Seaplane
Seaplane Basics
Let’s cover some basics about seaplanes. There are two types, flying boats or hull planes, and seaplanes on floats (pontoons) often called float planes. [one-half-first] [/one-half-first] [one-half] [/one-half] Just like any boat, there are specific names for the parts of our floats or hull, whichever you are flying. The terms we want to remember are:… Continue reading Seaplane Basics
Tips for the Piper Pacer
Piper Pacer Tips It has a short wing for its weight, don’t get slow You need speed to climb, don’t leave ground effect too quickly Flaps and water rudders can be difficult to reach, ensure you adjust your belts and seat accordingly before leaving the dock so you can reach everything you need There is… Continue reading Tips for the Piper Pacer
Tips for the Searey
Searey Transition Tips Three-point landings tend to be easier than wheel landings The tailwheel doesn’t always extend when lowering the gear (check it in the mirror to avoid surprises) Trim is your friend (the engine thrust line is very different from most aircraft, use trim to help you, and do WHATEVER it takes with the… Continue reading Tips for the Searey
Tips for the J-3 Cub
Pinch the throttle with your pointer finger and thumb, use fingertip pressure for small power changes, rather than pushing or pulling the throttle. Brace your elbow, or better yet, your forearm, so you can make small pressure and fingertip corrections on the stick while flying. Get your wings level no later than 100′ above the… Continue reading Tips for the J-3 Cub
Rules of the Water
When a seaplane is on the water, FAA, Coast Guard, and local water rules all apply. 91.115 Right-of-way rules: Water operations. (a) General. Each person operating an aircraft on the water shall, insofar as possible, keep clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation, and shall give way to any vessel or other aircraft that is given… Continue reading Rules of the Water