SeaPlane rating

Team Skyye Director Dave Mc Naught (CEO of Durban Skyye Flight School) has just earned his SeaPlane rating, flying a Cessna 172 Amphibian N172MY at Lake Havasu, Arizona after completing his SeaPlane training there.

Check the video clip on their website here.

The training included learning how to take off and land the amphibian plane on land and water in glassy sea water conditions, rough water and normal water, take-offs and landings in confined spaces, sailing the plane on the water with the engine off, beaching, mooring and docking and working with other water users - boats, jetskis and skiers. The process involved getting Dave's South African land-based Pilot's licence validated for use of the foreign licence in the USA, the issue of a temporary USA Private Pilot's licence, training on the water, a flight test by a USA FA-approved Examiner and the issue of the rating which will then be added and a USA Pilot's licence issued to Dave.  

Durban Skyye Flight School CEO Dave was in Arizona this week - this is his Flight Test (called a Check Ride in the USA) where he passed his test with the Flight Examiner to earn his SeaPlane Rating and USA Pilot's Licence in addition to his South African licences.

The shadow of the seaplane shortly before landing at the airport. The plane has retractable wheels which enable the plane to land on land or with the floats on water.

Refuelling the plane on land is quite high as the undercarriage are floats which in water submerge to half-way down, but on land  are completely above the ground, and the wheels also protrude to enable the plane to land on a hard surface but which raises the height of the plane further off the ground.

Part of the training involved learning techniques in beaching the plane and taking off again from the beach.

Wearing a life vest when over the water is compulsory 

Dave flying the amphibian with instructor Moe 

Lake Havasu, Arizona

The amphibian SeaPlane at Lake Havasu Airport with wheels down