Float Plane Class Rating

Flying a float plane is tremendously fun.  Its a boat that flies, combining aspects of sailing with flying.  For pilots that learn to fly on land aircraft, a float plane offers another level of freedom and a tremendous number of places to land. Much of the flying is done at lower altitudes. There are no airports with control towers, no control zones, or airways to deal with - just the freedom of the skies.  Float planes have been and remain tremendously important to opening up the Canadian north.  Providing access to remote communities and transporting goods between lakes and rivers, float planes provide a tremendously valuable service to people who would otherwise remain isolated.  For commercial pilots who want to work on the coasts or up-north as bush pilots, a float plane class rating is very valuable.

The Ottawa Flight College can provide a Float Plane Class Rating in partnership with Lake Country Airways.  The training is performed at Constance Lake.

Admission

To receive a Seaplane Rating endorsement, you will need to hold at least a Recreational Pilot Permit or a Private Pilot License for aeroplanes with a valid medical certificate.

To enroll, fill out a student application form and contact the CFI for scheduling.

Program of Study

Flight Training

Transport Canada requires a minimum of 7 hours training to obtain a float plane endorsement, with 5 of these mandatory dual instruction. Solo flights must include a minimum of 5 takeoffs and landings. The following exercises are included in the training:

• Docking and taxiing;
• Glassy water;
• Sailing;
• Operation in cross-wind conditions;
• Remote lakes and departures;
• Take off and landing

There is no Flight Test or Examination in the Float Plane Class
Rating.  Students must demonstrate their knowledge and skill to the
satisfaction of the Flight Instructor.

Ground School

The float plane ground instruction covers the theory of operation of a float plane and the main differences between a float plane and a land plane. There is a quiz and some homework assignments.

Ground School classes are held twice a year in early and late summer.  Contact us for the schedule of upcoming courses.

Graduation

Students graduate when they have their license and log-book endorsed by the Flight Instructor.  Graduates will receive a Certificate from the Ottawa Flight College.  Each May, at the Ottawa Flying Club's annual wings dinner, successful graduates are celebrated.

Fees

There is a flat fee for the float plane rating of $2,250 plus tax. Additional hours of training, if required, will be paid at rates set by Lake Country Airways.  Payments for the Float Plane Class Rating are made to Lake Country Airways directly at the beginning of training.