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Recommendations for a seaplane rating FL

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Recommendations for a seaplane rating FL

Old 03-23-2012, 06:25 PM
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Default Recommendations for a seaplane rating FL

I'm based in Jacksonville, FL (northeast) and I am looking for a school to get my seaplane rating. Any recommendations? I haven't decided if I want to just get my private seaplane or my commercial seaplane (not sure of what, if anything I would use a commercial seaplane rating for... But I have a multi-commercial rating and I guess it couldn't hurt). Thanks in advance for any input. I would be willing to drive an hour or two for training as I know there isn't anything in Jacksonville.
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Old 03-23-2012, 07:08 PM
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Jack Brown in Winter Haven Florida is one of the best float plane schools in the country. I got mine at Lake Hood and had a blast.
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Old 03-23-2012, 07:09 PM
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Based on your aircraft type I'm assuming your at Sterling? I am actually from Jacksonville myself but have been in the military for the last 7 years and start at ATP in June.
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Old 03-23-2012, 07:31 PM
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Yes sterling is where I've done most of my training... Just wanting to try something fun and who knows... Maybe open some doors.
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Old 03-23-2012, 07:58 PM
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Get your commercial. If you already have a commercial rating for land aircraft, the commercial seaplane does not require anything additional over a private seaplane rating as far as I remember.
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Old 03-23-2012, 08:06 PM
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I agree go for the commercial. It is almost the same exact process so why not. I also recommend getting the Sporty's Seaplane video and watching that. Jack Brown as does the AMES as well.
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Old 03-23-2012, 08:18 PM
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Jack Brown is certainly the way to go. Pilots come as far from Alaska to train there, I think that says a lot about the outfit.
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Old 03-23-2012, 09:29 PM
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I think there is maybe only one more person in the US that has more floatplane time. The lady I did mine with has over 50,000 hours on floats. Her and her husband petitioned the FAA to get rid of stalls during the checkride after they almost couldn't recover from one. You will learn very quickly that floatplanes are fun and highly dangerous at the same time. Oh if you plan on flying floats a lot I also recommend waiters (?) and a life jacket.
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Old 03-23-2012, 10:05 PM
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Waiters are a great idea! "Waiter, I'm thirsty. Please bring me something to drink." And waders are good to keep your feet and legs dry. Sorry, I couldn't resist.
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Old 03-24-2012, 05:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Ray Blaszak View Post
I think there is maybe only one more person in the US that has more floatplane time. The lady I did mine with has over 50,000 hours on floats. Her and her husband petitioned the FAA to get rid of stalls during the checkride after they almost couldn't recover from one. You will learn very quickly that floatplanes are fun and highly dangerous at the same time. Oh if you plan on flying floats a lot I also recommend waiters (?) and a life jacket.
DANG! That is a lot of time.
I thought I remember hearing about a true "little old lady" flight instructor from somewhere down in the southeastern US who had the most flight time in the US at least - 80,000 hrs and most of it instructing but I can't find any reference for it now.

I did find this article from the late 90s:
Ed Longs office is the cockpit of his small plane, and the view out his office window is the Alabama countryside. Its not a bad job, flying all day at 2,000 feet, checking power lines for an Alabama utility.

Still, its a little lowprofile for a guy who should be one of the most famous pilots in the world, if he werent so determined not to be.

I dont care anything about fame or fortune, says the 83yearold Long. I just ... boost the aviation business.

John Edward Ed Long is in the Guinness Book of Records for most flight time by a pilot. Hes amassed more than 64,000 hours seven years in the air.
USMCFLYR

Edit - found an 2009 article referring to the pilot I was speaking of - the "little old lady", but my memory was off on the flight time - ONLY 57,000+ hrs!
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/11...bryan-johnson/
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