Hello,
I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with Jack Brown's Seaplane Base in Central Florida. It's not too far from ERAU and the training is only 2 days--which seems quite convenient for a busy college student. If anyone has any opinion about this place or any others in Florida feel free to let me know! Thanks

-Brian

I haven't been through there, but I haven't heard bad things either. I think if all your after is another license and a good time and get the BFR covered it's a fine way to do it. My understanding is that if your really wanting to know how to use a seaplane because your buying one, or wanting to make a living with one, maybe you should train elsewhere.
I plan on going mostly for entertainment. I couldn't afford amphibs and honestly don't need any, but I would love to see what it is all about and would like flying in a Cub.

You will enjoy float flying. There is something like 500 lakes in the country where Brown's is located. From what I understand, Browns cranks out lots of endorsements every year and is an essembly line operation. I also heard that with them you always fly from the back seat, that would not be my first choice. If you just want the rating it would be all right, but if you think you might be interested in float flying, there are probably other options.

I used Brian and his crew at Adventure Seaplane
(adventureseaplanes.com) which are based out of Mn, but come to Florida for the winter, (in the same neighborhood as Brown's) to do training. They have a PA12 (150 horse Cub), PA 18 Super Cub, C172 and a C180 all on floats. They also will rent out their planes. With them you are able to pick the kind and time in training you want, which allows you to spend time on the areas that may be of interest-need to you in the future.

I went back down last winter and did recurrent training in their C180 to get up to speed for putting my 185 on floats this summer. They are based on a very peaceful lake, unlike Brown's who are located on the edge of an airport. I have been quite satisfied with them. If you look on the Seaplane Pilots Association site they have other training operations in Florida listed as well.

Wherever you end up, you'll have a great time.

The back seat IS the PIC seat in a J-3 Cub. Nothing wrong with that.

Brown's is pretty much a ratings mill, BUT if you want more time, you can tell them so, they'll still fly with you, and the J-3 is the cheapest flying machine on floats you can find.

I sure wouldn't be afraid of Brown's. THey'll do everything anyone else can do, but cheaper, frankly.

MTV

No direct knowledge but here is the Seaplane Pilots Assoc. list:

http://www.seaplanes.org/training/schools/FL.htm

Brian,
I went to Jack's a year ago May with a couple friends. Still grinnin ear to ear today. My only seaplane experience prior, was a ride in a Beaver back in High School during a trip through Fairbanks. Be very prepared to be hooked.
As far as the quality of instruction goes, they are somewhat thorough on the very basics of seaplane ops. That was pretty obvious to us prior to arriving, giving the amount of time for instruction. They aren't ashamed to admit or advertise it either. They want to get you from A to your rating in two days. I felt like I learned a lot, but honestly if I was going to pursue float flying, I would continue on with lots more instruction.
All that said, go do it! It's a fun facility to see, a great location to fly floats (shorts, t-shirt, door off, hunting for alligators below...), and the people are very nice.
Good Luck
Tom

brian,
Flagler does seaplane training, much closer but I have never trained with them. I graduated from ERAU in 2003 and did my float training closer to home in Maine. Twitchell's is a little far for you but rents floatplanes after your rating. Where you get your seaplane training depends on what you want to do with it.

During my first year of college, I thought that I wanted to fly for the airlines Then I found float flying and I was hooked. I also got my helicopter license at Tomlinson aviation in Ormond Beach. Now I fly floats for a living in Alaska and and starting a 135 in Maine (wife doesn't like me gone from home)!

Wherever you do your training, have fun with it. However you never know where the rating will take you. It might even pull you away from that dark side

Thanks for all the really great input everyone, I guess I haven't really thought of where I would go with a seaplane endorsement.

I'm in Navy ROTC, majoring in Aeronautical Science, and my civilian flying job will have to take place after my Navy commitments and who knows where the airlines will be years from now. I DO know I would like to have the best seaplane training available, so I'll look into all of these options and find what fits best. Maybe pursuing floatplane flying for a living is in my future? Thanks, again.

I got all my sea ratings at browns.
You can not meet a better guy than Jon, He will be the examiner.
He shows no favoritism when it comes to the final ride. He cares about
safety and is old school.
Flying in a cub in Florida is worth every penny!!!

There are other schools here in Florida that have "other" curreculim but
Brown's will teach you what you need for the rating. It is just like your
private ticket, a license to learn...

Ki

I will second Steve's recommendation of Adventure Seaplanes. I didn't get my rating through him as I purchased a seaplane and used a local guy, but I had looked at a plane Brian of AS had for sale. I flew with him for a short demo flight and he was a super guy to fly with....very easy to get along with and someone I would highly recommend for instruction. Over the years I have used many different instructors for ratings and bi-annuals and it makes a big difference how well the two of you interact.

Good luck on your ROTC career. My son is following a similar path, he has an Air Force ROTC scholarship and is attending Embry-Riddle in Prescott, AZ. His major is Aerospace Engineering. He got his PPL last summer and was hoping to get his Seaplane rating this summer (using Dad's plane of course) but due to going to his Basic Officers Course this summer, the time didn't allow it.

Keith

Hey Brian, One more recommendation for Brown's. Got my rating there 15000 hours ago and still remember how much of a blast it was. I was so young and stupid I told the guy I was flying with I was gonna land long over that log...he said that's not a log, and it bites. You'll love it. Jon is very laid back. Big guy though...lot of head swiveling to see around him...kinda like landing a stearman.

Best regards

I just got back from Jack Brown's last week. First of all it is a ratings factory, given that, it is really cheap and a ton of fun. I haven't been in a J3 since I instructed in them 18 years ago. I had forgotten how fun they are, and then add floats? forget about it, it is stupid fun. Scooter is one of the instructors there, he works up here in AK during the summer and then down there in the winter, and is a great instructor. They told me that 95% of their clients will probably not fly another float plane again. Since nobody will rent a float plane (although I did hear rumors of someone south of St Paul that will) the remaining 5% will either have an employer or seller give them more training, it seems to me that the license mill in this case is fine. They were the cheapest that I found even though I had to travel literally across the continent to get there. Go there and have fun.

Got my rating there spring of last year. Flew with Brian, the "Brit". He's a ball of fun and genuinely loves what he does. Like others have said, they teach you just what you need to know to get started and pass the checkride, its all in the PTS after all. If you want to spend more they will teach you more... can't argue with that. It is a business after all.

That being said, after getting my rating, I went back home and started expanding my envelope solo, just like we all did after we got our privates.

I will say though that having prior experience in boats will help you I think. Gets you ahead of the curve in my opinion.

Jon Brown is a great guy and I respect him highly.

Lots of folks like to hate on them for some reason, "ratings factory" and all that, but I don't know of another float school here in the US that has been around longer. I think that says a lot. Lots of experience there, take advantage of it. For that reason alone I feel like I paid a cheap price. I hope to go back for the MES in their Twin-Bee next year come flight review time.

Another option in your area is Rich Hensch from Florida Seaplanes in Altamonte Springs. http://www.geocities.com/flseaplanes/ Rich is a retired Navy pilot and uses fairly new Maule M-7s. I have to say it was some of the most fun I have ever had flying. Give him a shout, you won't be disapointed. I think chickenair in AK can vouch for this as well.

give trip and danny a call located xfl (flagler county)they are on the west side of the ramp in the new hangers .Aviat huskey and a Beaver.Get your complex and Hp for about the same price as browns.train in lake cresent and the lake at the air port.

is flagler in or around St Augustine?

Flagler (XFL) Ryan Aviation WWW.ryanseaplanes.com
1 800 338 3044 386 437 0620

I got my float ticket with Tripp n a J3 and and flow his 180 on amphibs. The Husky would be interesting and the Beaver is on my list. The airport is first class, but you have to tolerate the CAPT students in the twin Seminoles. You also have to tolerate me on Lake Crescent when I am outside for the winter.

I also flew with Brian when he was in the PA-12 in Lake Lowery, FUN PLACE and fun guy. Lake Pierce and the Cherry Pocket fish camp will be a real old Florida Cracker experience. The whole area is float heaven.

Browns is in the same area and I have bought a lot of fuel there. Real nice folks and crew.

You can't go wrong with any of 'em..

Florida offers nearly every day flying.

GR

Welcome GR. Are you taking good care of 47--? Merry Christmas. Steve

Steve,

I shined her yesterday. She is still in tip top shape and feels like my airplane now. Last spring I found the fellow that restored her and let he and his wife and splash about a bit. He is the last two letters on the tail.

Merry Christmas. Bet it is white.

GR