Loch Earn

Husky A-1 step taxiing

Glassy water on Loch Earn

Husky A-1 entering water

General

On-Track Aviation is the only FTO in the UK to offer seaplane instructor training. The CRI SE Seaplane course is designed to prepare seaplane pilots to give instruction for the issue of a SEP (Sea) class rating only. There are no FTOs in the UK offering ME CRI Seaplane courses at this time. On-Track Aviation is the only FTO in the UK to offer Seaplane training and testing in both Scotland and Northern Ireland. The CRI SE Seaplane can be carried out in Scotland at Loch Earn located within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park or in Northern Ireland at Enniskillen (St Angelo) Airport next to the shores of Lough Erne. Of the two venues, Loch Earn offers the more varied flying experience right in the heart of the Scottish Highlands with a variety of water locations and land aerodromes to experience. Whichever location you choose we recommend that the ground training and Seamanship examination be taken prior to starting the flying course. This will allow you more capacity to absorb the instruction and more time to enjoy the local hospitality. The ground training and Private Seamanship examination can be taken with On-Track Aviation at Wellesbourne Mountford Aerodrome, Warwickshire. The Professional Seamanship examination is taken at a CAA Regional Test Centre or CAA Gatwick.

Pre-Course Entry Requirements

Pilots wishing to give instruction in SEP (Sea) aeroplanes will be required to have:

(a) at least the licence, rating and qualification for which instruction is being given including:

(i) a pass in the professional seamanship examination
(ii) hold a valid SEP (Sea) class rating

(b) completed at least 300 hours of flight time as pilot of aeroplanes

(c) flown at least 30 hours as PIC on the applicable type or class of aeroplane prior to commencing the course

Whilst these requirements are to be met prior to the application for a CRI Seaplane rating it is assumed that the candidate will possess the requirements of (a) to (c) inclusive before commencing the course

Ground Training

33 hours of ground instruction including Teaching and Learning, Seamanship, Training Administration and subjects associated with the operation of SEP (Sea) aeroplanes. It includes elements which are related to the type of aeroplane to be used on the course.

During the course the student instructor will practise giving ground lectures covering the above subjects to the FIC instructor giving the course

The training shall be integrated with the flight training so that the maximum benefit is gained from time spent in the air

Flight Training

The flight training element of the CRI Seaplane rating course consists of 12 hours dual instruction

Instructor Skill Test

On satisfactory completion of the flight and ground training the candidate must pass an Instructor Skill Test with an FIE. The contents of the Skill Test include:

(a) Theoretical Knowledge Oral including a 45 minute lecture (Subjects chosen from the SEP (Sea) class rating syllabus)

(b) Pre-Flight Briefing (Exercise from SEP (Sea) class rating syllabus)

(c) The Flight (To include pre-briefed exercise from SEP (Sea) class rating syllabus plus other exercises or parts thereof)

(d) Post Flight De-briefing (Students performance)

(e) Result and candidate de-brief

References

Instructional Techniques For The Flight Instructor John Halstead / Alan Newton (click here for details)

LASORS (www.afeonline.com)

International Regulations for Preventing of Collisionsat Sea Royal Yachting Association (www.rya.org.uk)

Symbols And Abbreviations Used On Admiralty Charts - Chart 5011 (www.ukho.gov.uk)

International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) Maritime Buoyage System - ANP735 (www.ukho.gov.uk)

Rules Of The Road John Mellor (www.bookharbour.com)

A Seaman's Guide To The Rules Of The Road by Morgan Technical (www.bookharbour.com)

Nautical Almanac (www.bookharbour.com)

Statutary Instrument 1990 No. 251 Merchant Shipping Safety "The Collision Regulations (Seaplanes) Order 1990" (www.opsi.gov.uk)
ICAO Annex 2 "Rules of the Air Chapter 3 Paragraph 3.2.6 Water Operations (www.afeonline.com)
ICAO Annex 6 Parts 1 and 2 "Operations of Aircraft" Chapter 6, Appendix to Chapter 6 "Lights to be Dispalyed by Aircraft" (www.afeonline.com)
Notes of a Seaplane Instructor Burke Mees (www.afeonline.com)

Flying a Floatplane C Marin Faure (www.afeonline.com)

How to Fly Floats J J Frey (www.afeonline.com)

Seaplane Operations Dale DeRemer / Cesare Baj (www.afeonline.com)

FAA Flight Training Handbook - Seaplane Operations (www.seaplanes.org/library/govtpubs/AC61-21A.pdf) Free download

Transport of Canada - Instructor Guide Seaplane Rating (www.floatsafety.com/Instructor%20Guide%20Seaplane%20Rating/TP12668e.pdf) Free download

Privileges

To instruct licence holders (see note 1) for the issue / renewal / revalidation of a SEP (sea) class rating

The CRI SE Seaplane may carry out and sign logbooks for the 'dual flight with an instructor' requirement for revalidation of the SEP (Sea) class rating (see note 2)

Notes:
1. A CRI cannot instruct ab-initio students only those who already hold a licence
2. A CRI SE who holds both landplane and seaplane privileges may carry out and sign logbooks for the 'dual flight with an instructor' requirement for revalidation of the SEP (Sea and Land) class rating

Validity

Valid for 3 years.

Revalidation Requirements

Within 12 months preceding the expiry date of the rating:

(a) conduct at least 10 hours (see note) flight instruction in the role as CRI

OR

(b) conduct refresher training to the satisfaction of the CAA

OR

(c) receive refesher training as a CRI

Note: If CRI holds both ME and SE privileges the 10 hours shall be split equally between the SE and ME aeroplanes

Renewal Requirements

If the rating has lapsed the applicant shall have within 12 months preceding application:

(a) received refresher training as a CRI to the satisfaction of the CAA

AND

(b) passed a proficiency check (JAR-FCL 1.330 and 1.345)