As I write, we are deep into winter in the Midwest, most of the water around us is frozen solid, and our seaplane currency has more than likely lapsed. Some of us are fortunate to migrate with our seaplanes to warmer waters and fly throughout the winter. But for most of us, fall and winter is cause for pause in our seaplane flying. Thankfully around the time you are reading this article, the first day of spring is right around the corner. With spring comes putting our floats back on our airplanes, and time for us as pilots to regain our currency and proficiency.
As a high-level reminder of currency requirements, a current flight review is required by FAR 61.56 to act as pilot-in-command (PIC). The flight review can be completed in any aircraft in which the pilot is rated. FAR 61.57(a)(ii) requires a pilot to perform takeoffs and landings in the same category, class and type (if required) of aircraft for currency to carry passengers. For those operating amphibious aircraft that will be landing on both water and land, currency in each area of operation is required.Â
Each of us as pilots will have a unique way of meeting the currency requirements. Factors that come into play as to how we meet them go beyond the FAA requirements and include that which is required of our employers, insurance companies, recent experience and total time in category and class. Each of us need to evaluate our own situation and determine our best plan of action to obtain currency.
Operating a seaplane, especially amphibious aircraft, involves unique environments and procedures that we do not encounter in other types of flying that we may be doing. I encourage pilots to take lessons learned, and the skillsets they have developed in other areas of flying, into account when developing a training plan for seaplane flying.Â
Many of us who fly seaplanes are also flying other aircraft. These range from aircraft capable of bringing us to unimproved back-country strips, to those that move us to continents on the other side of the world. One of my aviation mentors says that pilots should plan to do annual recurrent training in the most complex aircraft they operate. I believe there is a strong case to be made to include seaplane training in our annual training plan.Â
The quality of training hinges on finding the right instructor and establishing with that person a training curriculum that will not only meet the minimum requirements but challenge us as aviators. This requires some vulnerability on our part to look at ourselves and admit we have areas that we are not comfortable, not experienced or have wanted to grow in. A willingness to accept feedback, both positive and constructive, is needed for training to be successful. Â
As we look forward to the upcoming floatplane flying season, we should establish a personalized training plan that will ensure currency, proficiency and continued growth as seaplane pilots.Â
