NORTH AIR, INC.
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NORTH AIR, INC.
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SeaPlane Training and Rating Reasons for SeaPlane Training and Rating:
Many newly-minted seaplane pilots exclaim that training
for the single engine sea rating was the most fun they've had in an airplane (or
variations on that theme.). We can schedule the training to whatever fits your schedule and how much fun you want to have, Over one weekend, mornings, evenings, several weeks, months or??.
We have a Training Kit available for 2008 which will include a North Air, Inc. Seaplane Training Guide and Seaplane Training Syllabus, Seaplane Test Questions, Aircraft Checklists, How to Fly Floats Book, Seaplane Operations Book, a training DVD video: how to fly seaplanes. the cost of the training materials is $135. Also available is a training vacation flying to the lakes area of Ontario, Canada which will include all of the seaplane procedures plus an overnight at a remote Canadian fishing camp, border crossing procedures, bush flying procedures, a morning of fishing, two shore lunches, dinner, cross country planning, Canadian airspace, sightseeing, and much more. We offer several Wilderness Training Packages starting at $2500. packages are usually scheduled over a weekend and are available up to one week in length. Contact Dale for more information.  Many newly-minted seaplane pilots exclaim that training for the single engine sea rating was the most fun they've had in an airplane (or variations on that theme, but we digress...). Don't take it from us though - find out for yourself! 
Overview Presuming that you are a certified and proficient single-engine land pilot, the Single Engine Sea add-on rating requires only a few hours of training and, in the United States, a checkride with an FAA examiner. In the process, you'll learn to handle an airplane on the water, read the environment for wind speed and direction information, verify the suitability of a landing area, and secure the airplane at a beach, ramp, dock, or mooring buoy. You'll also learn better judgment, as your choice of runway, traffic pattern, and parking spot is your choice alone. Some of the new things you'll learn during the transition are described below. Taxiing Taxiing a seaplane is not the simple affair that land-based pilots are accustomed to. A seaplane is always in motion on the water -- there are no "brakes" in the conventional sense to bring you to a stop. Even the run-up is done in motion, with the pilot's attention divided between checklist items and navigation. The pilot must maintain constant vigilance for obstacles such as boats, submerged snags, and floating debris. The seaplane pilot must also be familiar with the vastly different characteristics of seaplanes when taxiing at various speeds. Takeoff and Landing Unlike land-based aircraft, seaplanes have some unique types of landings and take offs. For example, glassy (calm) water inhibits depth perception during landing, and adds significant drag during takeoff. Rough water pummels the airframe and passengers, prompting expedited liftoffs and prompt deceleration on landing. Crosswind landings have much in common with land-based crosswind procedures, but crosswind landings are rarely necessary in a seaplane because the landing surface is usually large enough to land into the wind regardless of its direction. In the Air Essentially, seaplanes handle the same when airborne as their land-based brethren. The two most significant differences are speed and yaw stability. Speed is obviously reduced by the bulky floatation gear, whether that be floats, sponsons, or the "step" in the hull. Yaw stability is eroded in float-equipped seaplanes by the addition of surface area in front of the center of gravity. When the airplane yaws, air hitting the front of the floats tries to maintain the yaw. Many floatplanes have enlarged vertical stabilizers to counteract this destabilizing effect, but adroit rudder control is still a valuable skill for seaplane pilots. Coming Ashore Flying a seaplane is the easy part. Docking, ramping, and mooring is where a seaplane pilot proves his or her ability. Precise control of the seaplane on the water, accounting for the effects of wind, current, obstacles, and momentum, leads to a respectable finale to the flight. Failure to exercise such vigilance results in very expensive dents. One more thing... It is wind that the seaplane pilot curses most often -- and doesn't thank often enough. Seaplanes naturally weathervane to point into the wind, and this is often the downfall of an otherwise perfect approach for docking or beaching, and sometimes a good reason to abort a takeoff or avoid a landing. But wind can also shorten a takeoff or landing, assist a docking or beaching, or act as a brake when motion is not desired. The ability to recognize and take advantage of wind conditions is critical for the seaplane pilot. The good news is that mother nature provides an abundance of clues. Learning to pick up on those clues is as much a part of learning to fly a seaplane as is mastering taking off and landing. Read & Discuss Obviously, we cannot prepare you in a few short paragraphs to master the breadth of skills required to be a safe seaplane pilot. Entire books have been written to assist you in developing those skills, and we encourage you to read a few of them. Do not underestimate the value of others' experiences. Get to know other seaplane pilots, and don't hesitate to ask for advice. A SeaPlane training kit is available that includes, a 378 page seaplane training book, a 65 page seaplane training guide, 83 page seaplane handbook, aircraft checklists, a seaplane training dvd video, and more, all for $135. this is a must for every float flying pilot. call or e-mail to order Credit Cards Accepted |
North Air, Inc. Perham, and Detroit Lakes, Minnesota dalejf@northair.net Office 218-346-5110
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