The seaplane rating is intended for the pilot who already holds a pilot licence (Private or Commercial) or Pilot Permit Recreational. It involves converting a skilled pilot from one environment, land, to a new environment, water. The course syllabus involves gaining the following knowledge and skills:
PRE-FLIGHT
1/ Estimating aircraft performance
2/ Seaplane bases, rules, and aids to marine navigation
3/ Fuelling the aircraft
4/ Pre-flight inspection
5/ Passenger safety briefing
ON THE WATER
1/ Starting engine
2/ Displacement taxiing
3/ Plowing taxiing
4/ Step taxiing
5/ Sailing
6/ Docking
7/ Beaching
8/ Mooring
9/ Abnormal water handling situations
TAKEOFF
1/ Normal takeoff
2/ Glassy water takeoff
3/ Crosswind takeoff
4/ Engine failure after takeoff
APPROACH AND LANDING
1/ Power-on approach and landing
2/ Power-off approach and landing
3/ Crosswind approach and landing
4/ Approach and landing over an obstacle
5/ Glassy water approach and landing
6/ Recovering from abnormal landing situations
ADVANCED EXERCISES
1/ Ramping
2/ Short run takeoff
3/ Rough water takeoff
4/ Confined area takeoff
5/ Rough water approach and landing
6/ Step turns
7/ Fuelling from barrels
8/ Carrying external loads
COMMERCIAL SEAPLANE OPERATIONS
To fly professionally in seaplanes, pilots must extend the training
to gain skill and experience in more situations and more types of aircraft.
Normally, in addition to the basic seaplane rating requirements, several more
hours (total about 50 hours) of instruction in the practical aspects of float
flying are required before most employers or insurers will accept a newly-rated
pilot.
AMPHIBIOUS AIRCRAFT (WHEELS AND
FLOATS)
Advantages
-Water surfaces can become too rough or freeze over making a land
operation necessary.
Some shorelines, due to the rocky nature or lack of protection from wind and
swells, make it impossible to moor or beach a seaplane but a nearby airstrip
could be used.
-Easily stored in an airport hangar for protection.
-Water operations are restricted to daylight but an amphibious aircraft can
depart the water just before dark and operate as a landplane after departure.
More landing, maintenance and fuel facilities are available.
Disadvantages
-Retractable gear are expensive to obtain and to maintain.
-Useful load will usually be reduced by one to two passengers.
-There is a slight speed loss. Insurance costs increase because of the risk of
landing in the water with the wheels down.
-If the aircraft is a flying boat design, it can tend to porpoise more readily
during takeoff and landing.
-More complex systems mean more things to think about, such as emergency
extension and retraction procedures.