Ok, I'm kinda trying to get a feel for where I should do this. I'm thinking this next spring or summer, my buddy and I will fly the bonanza somewhere to go get our Seaplane ratings. I like to do things big or go home, so I want to get my SES and MES and of course CFI for both of those. (I'm currently a CFI CFII MEI, and soon to be ATP (LRJET)). So of course I'd like to be ATP SES and MES. THat means the plane we do our training in must be instrument capable. I think that eliminates a few..

Anyway, I'm familiar with Jack Browns in Winter Haven, FL, and I know of a reasonably priced place for SES and MES (i think they'll do ATP) at Flagler Co, FL. SO....

My buddy'll just get his private SES, but he's never really done a long xc except our trip to OSH which was mostly IMC, so Dallas to FL is pretty boring... I wanna go WEST and show him the great scenery!

I'll be honest, price does matter in the training since I will be spending a lot of it. I remember long ago, seeing really good prices in AK for this training.. I've never been up there, so that'd be a hell of a trip! I vote for that! Spend lots of money going up there, to save some money once we get there. We're no strangers to camping next to the plane, so that'd be our plan.

Any personal recommendations?

Finding all of that in one place is going to seriously limit the possibilities. Take a look at the SPA training directory. They just changed the website, and I couldn't find the training directory, but I called them and they'll have it up later.
Lots of places to do SES, fewer to do the MES.

I STRONGLY suggest if you ever plan to actually instruct in seaplanes, go somewhere that does a LOT more than just the basics for the rating. As in a LOT more. Then get some actual experience in seaplanes there before you try to introduce someone else to the techniques. It's not that big a deal, but there are lots of ways to get crossways and get wet.

There is an outfit in Florida offering MES in a Widgeon. Last I heard, the folks in Bullhead City AZ still operated a Twin Seabee, and Jack Browns had a Twin Bee as well. Don't know how current that is, though.

MTV

I had a really great experience with Vern Kingsford at Alaska Float Ratings, Moose Pass, Alaska. And, you get to fly Super Cubs on floats.

If you want to instruct in seaplanes, stay away from the paper mills, and that's what Jack Brown's is. I got my SES there in Feb '09, and after ground school & 5 hours, I sure don't feel confident enough to even take anyone for a ride, much less instruct. It's pretty basic, and gives you a good feel for seaplanes, but is by no means a comprehensive course. I'm going to go up north (that's an actual place here in Michigan) to get current and get more in-depth instruction, sometime this summer.

At that time, Jack Brown's had 4 J3s on straight floats, no multiengines.

ASW.

I ran across this one but have absolutely no first, or second, hand information.

http://www.sierraseaplanes.com/Home.html

Contact Eric Weaver at Jones Brothers Seaplanes. He has a twin Sea Bee and a 180 and I am pretty sure he can do what you want. They are located in and around Orlando and the Tavares seaplane base. A great new seaplane facility.

I trained with him and flew with him several times this year. Good guy and fun aircraft.

Try sending splashpilot a PM....he mentioned he may start teaching in that amphib-apache down There in the Sierra Foothills again,lots of real nice places for water flying around here.

thanks guys. i probably wont instruct in them soon at all... eventually i'll buy something like a lake or searay. there is a possibility of one of the companies i fly for buying an amphib, so i'd sure hate to lose my job. but no i wouldnt be instructing in it. i just feel like, if i ever want to instruct in it, why not do it all at once and go practice on my own. thats what i did as a pvt pilot, and thats a great way to learn. just gotta start with very high levels of conservativism.

Just to clarify: If you hold a pilot certificate with SEL and you hold a current CFI, as soon as you complete the SES Commercial checkride you are "qualified" to instruct in SES aircraft. There is no specific CFI rating for SES. Same goes for MES. Your CFI says "Airplane, Single Engine" and "Airplane, Multi Engine". No Seaplane on the CFI. So, as soon as you are rated, you're good to instruct.

According to the FAA, at least.

MTV

thanks mtv that was helpful... i believe you're right, but i didnt know my cfi cert doesnt get changed.

Just to clarify: If you hold a pilot certificate with SEL and you hold a current CFI, as soon as you complete the SES Commercial checkride you are "qualified" to instruct in SES aircraft. There is no specific CFI rating for SES. Same goes for MES. Your CFI says "Airplane, Single Engine" and "Airplane, Multi Engine". No Seaplane on the CFI. So, as soon as you are rated, you're good to instruct.

Holy s**t !

I was lucky and got my SES rating from a guy w/ lots of seaplane experience and follow up training each year from Dave Wiley who was sort of a NorthWest (national?) seaplane guru. Dave said all a SES rating got you was a license to learn and the rating barely prepared you to actually operate a seaplane. I cannot imagine turning a shiny new SES pilot loose to train new pilots.

TD

That's no different than a CFI getting a tailwheel sign-off - that CFI is now "qualified" to teach in taildraggers. Doesn't give me a lot of confidence...

ASW.

Buyer beware....do some research on your instructor.

MTV

Jounin - We have a IFR C172-180hp on Baumann 2550's that you can do your ATP SES or a VFR C180 on Aerocet 3500L's in central Floridaat the Cherry Pocket until the end of april. Then you can do your ATP-MES in either a Twin Bee or a Widgeon or for great fun fly a Twin Aircam, just can't do it ATP level in the Aircam. If interested look us up - Adventure Seaplanes, we'll even get you driving airboats for some real fun!

Brian

If you want to go west to do it, I'd recomend Sierra Seaplanes. You can get your single and multi there. They do a good job. If you want to learn more than just the rating I understand there are some places in AK where you can really experience and practice the skills you're taught. Kenmore does more than just the basics too, but it's just SE.
Did you mention what kind of airplane your company might get? You might consider getting your rating in a similar type plane. Floats and boats are somewhat different.

Pilotjpw1

Thanks for the plug. We've got two execellent 180's a PA-12-160 on new baumanns for training. We also have SN 23 Twin Seabee that we can do multi engine seaplane training.

I'd like to think that we can give a more real world experience of float and boat flying. Check out our amazing seaplane base in Tavares (FA1) room for amphibs to taxi up and both float and shore fuel. www.tavares.org is the city's info and mine is www.jonesairandsea.com or www.mesrating.com

I'm hoping that we'll be seeing lots of seaplane pilots this winter. Everyone is welcome to stop by and visit.

I'll be hosting a splash in sometime in April.

Eric Weaver

I got my SES at Brown's, I did it for a lark, however the next spring (this last May) I got the opportunity to ferry a 206 on straight floats from MN to Homer with a friend and then I turned around and did the trip from MI to Homer in a 182 on straight floats solo. So:
1. at Brown's we never did any river work which made landing in the missouri a little scary. I know the places in MN teach on the river which would have been a big help. Got stuck on a sand bar in Bismark (the FBO swore that the marina was just dredged), fortunately I was taxiing with one mag, the carb heat out...unfortunately float planes never land in Bismark so I am pretty sure the entire town was watching me.
2. I never parked on a float plane ramp, so I was taxiing into the harbor at Sitka talking to my friend who worked Herring spotting last season, getting directions on how to do it. She says you need to hit it at a fairly fast taxi and then use a lot of power. It took me three tries and it is scary by yourself the first couple of times...I am also pretty sure the entire town of Sitka was watching my first feeble attempts at parking on the ramp.
3. Insist that you learn how to sail the plane, not just talk about it. The first time I landed below the dam at Ft. Peck was the first time I practiced sailing, after reviewing it a floatplane pilot handbook. I am glad I took the time cause I needed it this summer at Lake Hood.

Learn from my adventures and wherever you end up going, get instruction on rivers and lakes, sailing, and learn how to get all the way up on a ramp. Brown's was a lot of fun, but leaves a lot left to learn.

TomD wrote:....I was lucky and got my SES rating from a guy w/ lots of seaplane experience and follow up training each year from Dave Wiley who was sort of a NorthWest (national?) seaplane guru. .....

I've heard lots of good stuff about Wiley, a couple friends did their private checkride with him & both said it was very educational. Sure a shame when we lost him, esp the way it happened.

Headoutdaplane wrote:I got my SES at Brown's, ..................... Brown's was a lot of fun, but leaves a lot left to learn.

I concur..... I got my SES at Brown's too. I arrived there at 8am on a Friday morning and Saturday at noon I was a commercial seaplane pilot. (that's right, 28 hours, start to finish) The training was so minimal that I was concerned about my ability to pass the checkride. I passed but I didn't know much.

This might be the perfect training for some but I would either go somewhere else or pay for more training through Brown's if I had it to do over. Minimal training and uncertainties going into a checkride just isn't my thing.

Edited to include: I should add that they are very nice people and I had a great time. I got my rating for fun and, for that, Brown's is a fine place to go. I went there primarily because I have a friend who lives nearby and knows them well. I am sure that anyone wanting more thorough seaplane training could arrange it through Browns but be aware that their "special" for a SES is a couple of days of fun flying in a J3, not much more, and I don't think they claim anything other than that.

K

I did my Comm SES at http://shebleaviation.com/

They have a Super Cub, Lake buccaneer, and Beech 18 they use from all their flying. They are really the nicest people. They also love doing everything all at once there are a "go big" kind of operation. It was great.