For Those Aviators Attracted to Water

Flying on floats is a bucket-list item for many pilots.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, September 04, 2024 at 09:04 AM ET

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Edited By:

Kimberly Johnson

One of the most common questions is: How long does it take to earn a seaplane rating? [iStock]

Key Takeaways:

Seaplane ratings are popular for various reasons, from a bucket-list experience and aspiring ownership to professional employment, especially in regions like Seattle.
Learning to fly seaplanes requires adapting to unique operational challenges, such as the absence of brakes on water and heightened situational awareness for marine traffic and wildlife.
Pilots with tailwheel or sailing experience often find the transition to seaplanes easier, with training typically taking 5-8 hours to achieve basic proficiency.
Despite specific differences from land-based flying, obtaining a seaplane rating is described as a fun, skill-honing experience that allows for unique aviation activities.

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With the exception of the Space Needle, there is perhaps no image more iconic than a floatplane flying over water with Mount Rainier in the background. Floatplanes are as much a part of Seattle as Starbucks and the early days of Boeing Aircraft Co.

As such, there are two seaplane/floatplane training operations in the area: Seattle Seaplanes, located on the southeast corner of Lake Union (0W0), and Kenmore Air, with two locations, one on the northwest side of Lake Union (W55) and another on Lake Washington on the north tip of Renton Municipal Airport (KRNT).