Notes of a

Seaplane Instructor

* Written by a veteran seaplane pilot and instructor, this book is a distillation of all the tips, techniques, and procedures that the author learned in the course of teaching dozens of students to fly single-engine floatplanes. Seaplanes are a difficult platform for instructors; the planes are expensive, one-of-a-kind, exotic machines, and accidents are always a possibility during the transition from closely supervised dual instruction, to the solo phase. Landing and docking are particularly challenging. Hypothermia is an ever-present threat. Readers will learn everything from floatplane pre-flight procedures to landing, taxiing, and sailing in windy or tidal conditions, along with complex maneuvers and advanced seaplane operations.

Notes of a Seaplane Instructor helps pilots transition from landplanes to seaplanes and provides the information they need to add this rating to their certificate. At first glance, seaplanes appear to be landplanes with 400 lbs of extra float gear attached. This book helps pilots to manage what appears to be a grossly overweight and awkward flying machine. Thus, it's also a great reference for already-rated seaplane pilots with its additional advanced material.

Readers will learn:

  • How seaplane preflight inspections differ from those in landplanes.
  • Normal, glassy and rough-water takeoff techniques.
  • Flight characteristics of seaplanes.
  • Seaplane landing skills, in a wide variety of water conditions.
  • Water handling and sailing techniques.
  • Advanced operations, including density altitude, weight-and-balance, and performance considerations particular to seaplanes, along with examples of restricted terrain operations.
  • Details on operating amphibious floatplanes, with explanations of both the benefits and drawbacks.
  • This new second edition adds a chapter on flying multiengine seaplanes, and appendices dedicated to pumping the floats, and to ropes, knots, and splicing.
All the seaplane maneuvers are covered, starting with preflight, proceeding through taxiing, takeoff, landing, and postflight procedures; also operating in various water conditions, stability of the aircraft on the water, step-taxi and -turn. Many illustrations, which were inspired by the author's personal seaplane notebook sketches, help to further explain the concepts. In his new Second Edition, Burke provides even more notes on technique and performance particular to the world of floatplanes, with a special emphasis on safety and the best kind of pilot decision-making processes that keep seaplanes flying.

Created from a seaplane flight instructor's own notes on how best to transition to seaplane flying, no other book is quite like it. The author's original sketches were reproduced and refined, which lends a one-on-one style of instruction to the book.

Seaplane books are rare, and this is a welcome addition to any professional pilot's library.

Softcover, glossary, illustrated throughout, 204 pages.