Like many out-of-the-way places, Maine is a victim of its geography. Tourists will sometimes venture inland for encounters with moose and Français-speaking locals, but most prefer to stick to the glittering coastline and the quaint towns, picturesque inlets and islands up and down bustling U.S. Route 1. But Maine is also home to some 6,000 lakes and ponds across a vast wilderness from its western mountains — still capped with snow when I arrived in mid-May — to the pictorial Kennebec Valley and the Maine Highlands to the north, the site of Baxter State Park, a 200,000-acre protected wilderness area that is home to more moose than people. Farther north still is what residents refer to simply as “The County” — Aroostook County, a huge expanse of isolated bush country along the Canadian border that is larger by total area than the state of Connecticut.
Seaplane Flying in Maine
We explain the popularity of seaplanes in New England's most inaccessible state.
Key Takeaways:
- The article highlights Maine's unique geography, with its numerous lakes and vast, inaccessible wilderness, which makes seaplane operations both popular and practical for exploring the state's remote areas.
- The author recounts their personal journey of earning a seaplane rating at the renowned Twitchells Seaplane Base in Turner, Maine, detailing the comprehensive ground school and flight instruction.
- Training covered essential seaplane maneuvers, including challenging taxiing in strong winds, mastering takeoffs and landings on various water conditions (glassy, rough, confined spaces), and handling emergencies.
- Despite a humorous mishap during docking, the author successfully completed their check ride and enthusiastically recommends Twitchells Seaplane Base for its quality training experience.
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