Seaplane flying is a specialty within aviation but it is one that has steady appeal and develops passionate aviators. I prefer to modify that “gear-up landing” line to… “There are pilots who love seaplane flying and there are those will love it.” Be forewarned: Once you touch your seaplane* or floatplane* to the water, it may forever change you. If you think I’m being too dramatic, you probably haven’t flown off the water. Great, so it’s magical to see the countryside from a few hundred feet up. Even better, enjoy flying low across the clear, blue, warm waters of the Bahamas. Examine the shoreline of a big lake in a way you’d never do in a landplane. Compared to airports, seaplane pilots have many times more lakes or rivers able to handle a landing. All are fair game in an emergency and many U.S. waterways will permit normal water operations. Are you convinced yet?
Sun ‘n Fun Day 2 — As Summertime Approaches, Light-Sport Seaplanes Draw Interest
Aero Adventure Aventura II
ICP Savannah on floats
Just Aircraft Highlander on floats
Progressive Aerodyne's Searey on loan to the Seaplane Pilots Association
* My definition of these terms is that a "seaplane" has a boat hull where a "floatplane" is straight or amphibious floats added to a landline. The terms are not used as official designations. Home page sunset view over Seamax LSA seaplane by Randee Laskewitz