Convairator

If you hold an ATP multi-engine land certificate and take a multi-engine seaplane checkride, the multi-engine seaplane will add to your atp certificate. You need not demonstrate instrument approaches in the seaplane.

727gm

I obtained an AMES rating in 1995, no instrument approaches demonstrated. I'd already held ATP AMEL since 1991. The AMES rating went on my certificate as "Commercial Privileges: Airplane Multiengine Sea".

Is what you refer to a post-August 4th, 1997 change, a guess, wishful thinking, or a DPE/Inspector/FSDO's discretion thing??

Presumably, you really mean: it will add to your ATP certificate as Commercial Privileges, you do not have to demonstrate instrument approaches, unless you want your AMES rating at the ATP level.

Twin Wasp

GM,

I did a couple approaches on my ride but not to the water and got AMES added to the ATP. I doubt I'll be back working before next fall so I'm thinking about trying that guy north of Dallas and bringing the ASES back to work.

INTERNET PILOT

What the hell is the point of doing an instrument approach in a seaplane? How many lakes out there that you know of have an ILS approach?

Golden Bear

Coincidentally, this month's AOPA Pilot magazine has an article about world's largest seaplane fly-in at Moosehead Lake in Greenville, Maine:

AOPA Online: Splash-in