We're headed to Talkeetna on Monday, I'm hoping to get SES rating (https://www.alaskafloats.com). Really looking forward to it. I'm studying the FAA publication on seaplanes (https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/seaplane_handbook/), anything else I should be reading / watching to prep?

I read this book when getting my rating.https://goo.gl/images/m9BHaA

a must have is "notes of a seaplane instructor" by Burke Mees

Roamer

Second Mees’ book.

Did mine there about 9 years ago. Tri pacer on floats. The first lesson was 20’ off the river, but 50’ below the tree tops... haven’t flown floats since, but would go back to take Don’s course again to get current!

Rod

A nice one to watch on your mobile device during the ride up, “So You want To Fly Seaplanes” from Sportys. You can get it from your device’s App Store, or there’s a link to it from Sportys.

Thanks for the tips. Trying to find the books, have the Sporty's guide on order. Come to think on it, the books are probably easier to find in AK than OR.

The Sporty’s reference I was describing is an app I downloaded to my phone, although there is a DVD version of it if you prefer.

I like the DeReamer book myself. All the basics plus depth. He also has an Advanced float flying book, more of a text for guvernment types but good info all the same.

If you are rained out come on over. I'm at the south end of the village strip, driveway across form the Batplane, my Tripacer.

Going to be a bit somber what with the no-joy we just heard about the bird on the mountain. Lest have a drink in their honor, a silent prayer or thought, and learn from their misfortune.

Rocket

merrymunks wrote:We're headed to Talkeetna on Monday, I'm hoping to get SES rating (https://www.alaskafloats.com). Really looking forward to it. I'm studying the FAA publication on seaplanes (https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/seaplane_handbook/), anything else I should be reading / watching to prep?

When I first started flying floats, I read everything I could get my hands on to help me round out my knowledge base. I read about 10 different books before I took my checkride and several since then. The best single book I've ever read about flying floats was written by Marin Faure called "Flying a Floatplane". If you've read the book, "Success on the Step" about Kenmore in Seattle (one of my favorite flying books, PERIOD), it's the same author. I got the third edition, the one I've linked to below. It is by far the most comprehensive and fun to read of all the instructional books I've read, and sprinkled with Marin's sense of humor and self-deprecating style. He talks about a lot of the mistakes he's made flying, too - his decision-making process, how the events unfolded and how he extricated himself on numerous occasions.

If you've already taken your checkride before reading this, get the book anyway! It has become my go-to refresher before the float flying season begins every year.

"Flying a Floatplane":
https://www.amazon.com/Flying-Floatplane-Marin-Faure/dp/0070213046/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1533661191&sr=1-1&keywords=flying+a+floatplane+marin+faure

Here's a link to "Success on the Step", just for good measure:
https://www.amazon.com/Success-Step-Flying-Kenmore-Air/dp/0976020009/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1533662091&sr=1-1

After searching for a bit, managed to find these at an Anchorage used bookstore:



Thanks for all the recommendations; the weather seems to be cooperating today and I start training at 9...

rocket wrote:I like the DeReamer book myself. All the basics plus depth. He also has an Advanced float flying book, more of a text for guvernment types but good info all the same.

If you are rained out come on over. I'm at the south end of the village strip, driveway across form the Batplane, my Tripacer.

Going to be a bit somber what with the no-joy we just heard about the bird on the mountain. Lest have a drink in their honor, a silent prayer or thought, and learn from their misfortune.

Rocket

Thanks Rocket, I'll keep an eye out for the Batplane! Looks like the weather is going to be good today.
We passed K2 on the way in yesterday, and took a moment at dinner to raise a toast to the five lost.

Mission accomplished. Excellent training, and a whole lot of fun.

I'll bet you found out the same thing I did, that getting the SES is absolutely the most fun you can have flying an airplane. I got mine at Seattle Seaplanes 4 years ago, and I'm seriously considering flitting out there for a refresher. I haven't flown in a seaplane since then, and I really don't need it, but it was a whole lot of fun with some really great people.

Cary

Cary wrote:I'll bet you found out the same thing I did, that getting the SES is absolutely the most fun you can have flying an airplane.

Yes! Only flew one for about 6 hours, but in that time I really got hooked. I'd like to keep learning and keep the skills fresh, so am hoping to do some dual with a CFI floatplane owner I know every 90 days or so.

Going to go fly around in the Maule today, for the first time since getting back, and am wondering how the intensive float training will lend itself to my tailwheel abilities...