From pictures of the Pan Am Clippers to a Piper Cub on a beach, seaplanes bring together romance of flight, adventures on the water and access to unique and remote destinations. The capabilities of seaplanes also allow them to be well suited for humanitarian missions, firefighting and remote medivac. The first step in accessing unique destinations or amazing career opportunities is the seaplane rating.
The seaplane rating is typically obtained as an add-on to a pilot’s current certificate at the private or commercial level. As an add-on rating, a written test is not required. The training will culminate with a checkride to add the seaplane rating onto your pilot certificate. Training will consist of shore work, flight briefings and flights.
Operating a seaplane requires a knowledge of nautical rules, such as right of way, understanding of marker buoys, channels, and hazards in the water. The shore portion of the training will cover these areas as well as required equipment, the float/amphibious systems, best safety practices and aircraft performance.
The in-aircraft training will focus primarily on operations that are differences from land aircraft. These areas include taking off, landing, moving around on the water, docking and beaching, and emergency procedures.
Think of taking off and landing in a seaplane as a variation on a common theme. Pitch + Power = Performance is a concept that is often talked about when we begin instrument flying. The same concept is useful as we learn takeoff and landing techniques used to deal with various water and wind conditions. Take-off and landing training will focus on normal, glassy water, rough water and crosswind conditions. There is one pitch attitude in which the float will have the least amount of hydrodynamic drag. Many pilots call this pitch attitude the “sweet spot.” Each type of operation varies the combination of power usage along with pitch attitude to achieve the performance that is required for the conditions.
Moving around on the water also has various techniques that can be used to cope with wind and distances to be traveled on the water. The seaplane can be taxied at low speed called a displacement taxi or at higher speed called a step taxi. The seaplane can be sailed backward with the motor off.
When we learn to fly, we discover FBO ramps and services. Arrivals can involve docking or beaching. As seaplanes do not have brakes and beaches and docks are also used by people who are not typically around aircraft, the seaplane rating will include techniques to safely approach the parking spot and secure the aircraft.
As the seaplane rating is typically done as an add-on to a current pilot certificate level, no written test is required. The checkride is conducted by a designated pilot examiner (DPE) and will consist of an oral examination and a flight portion. The checkride counts to reset your flight review clock as well.
There are many training providers throughout the country who provide SES training. Many of the providers are in unique destinations such as the tropics in Florida, the mountains of Wyoming or the wilderness of Alaska. In addition to looking at flying in a unique surrounding, search for a provider that is going to provide you a well-rounded experience that challenges growth of your pilot skillset.
The seaplane rating will challenge you as a pilot and allow you to grow. It is also some of the most fun flying you will encounter. Best of all will be the pictures and memories that will be the start of a new adventure in your aviation journey!
Start planning now to join MSPA at our 2025 events: the Pig Roast at Surfside Seaplane Base (8Y4), August 10th, 2025, at noon, and the Safety Seminar, September 19-20th at Madden’s Resort in Brainerd, Minnesota.
