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.

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.

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.

Yes sterling is where I've done most of my training... Just wanting to try something fun and who knows... Maybe open some doors.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:
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/