AUGUST 2019 FLYINGMAG.COM | 33f ly a seaplane has changed some over
the years. If a private pilot appli-
cant trains in an airplane certified
in the standard category—such
as the PA-18—the FA A demands a
traditional training regime, a signoff
by an appropriately rated f light
instructor and a check ride with
an FAA-designated pilot examiner.
However, if the pilot holds a Sport
Pilot certificate, an airplane-specific
logbook endorsement will suffice.
Qualifications to f ly a seaplane don’t
come with a specific hourly require-
ment. Everything is based on profi-
ciency. On average, seaplane training
takes somewhere between six to
eight hours of f lying time. A quick
look at the private pilot Airplane
Airman Certification Standards
offers a good outline of topics cov-
ered during either a check ride or
an endorsement session. FA A’s
Handbook 8082-23 for seaplanes and
skiplanes is a rich resource for peo-
ple new to seaplane f lying, as is the
Seaplane Pilots Association.