Seaplane Rating
 

I'm looking into obtaining my seaplane rating, single engine first and maybe Multi engine later.
I'm interested in opinions on where to go, based on safety, quality of training, type equipment, price etc. along with your reasons.

Seaplane Rating
 

Where are you?

I'm in Oklahoma but will travel for this.

Seaplane Rating
 

Acme cub training in anchorage has good equipment and good instructors. Don't know price, company paid for mine

Adventure Seaplanes near Lake Wales FL in the winters is a good place

Agreed-more characters.

Seaplane Rating
 

Seattle Seaplanes on Lake Union or Kenmore Air

Not sure what the rules are down there, but up here (Canada) any seaplane rating automatically becomes single and multi-engine sea once you get any multi-engine rating. E.g. SMELS = Single and Multi-Engine Land and Sea. Not much demand for multi-sea, though, since Chalk's folded. Maybe the forestry using CL-215/415s and PBYs, and a few DHC-6 operators.

Down here the rules are you have to take a checkride in each class. So SMELS = 4 checkrides.

First, getting your seaplane rating is some of the most fun you will ever have flying; likely also, the most take offs and landings you will have in a single day. I would encourage most anyone to obtain their seaplane rating. However, don't be misled into believing this rating will make you anything close to a seaplane pilot. Seaplanes should be considered a whole different animal, if you want to operate them safely and properly; don't just think of it as an "ad on". Unless you request additional training, most, not all, outfits will just train you to pass the check ride. Then, with a fresh ticket in hand, good luck finding anyone to let you rent/solo their seaplane; and that's not necessarily even talking about an insurance company yet... Aviation is a small world, the seaplane community is really small, so you will be among a relatively small group of aviators to have this rating. Being a skilled and respected seaplane pilot requires some time and effort... (There is no way someone is likely to pad their logbook with a bunch of seaplane time and get away with it) You could probably do fine at Jack Browns for instance, that is where I went. But you won't learn everything you need to know, to operate a 206 or Beaver, Etc. There is much additional training and experience required, after the rating, to really call yourself a seaplane pilot. As far as price, I'm not sure lately though most places charged about the same for a SE seaplane rating, give or take a few hundred bucks. And anyone who would attempt to operate a ME seaplane with only MEL experience would not be too smart. Additionally, If you've been running around in a bunch of 172's and such or have no tail wheel experience; I would strongly suggest you find out what your feet are for prior to showing up at the seaplane school... and always know which way the wind is blowing. Good luck