Loch Earn, Scotland		Christen A-1 Husky Water Entry		Enniskillen (St Angelo) Airport, Northern Ireland
	Christen A-1 Husky Step Taxiing		Maule M7 2000 Super Rocket  235B Displacement Taxiing

General

On-Track Aviation is the only FTO in the UK to offer Seaplane training and testing in both Scotland and Northern Ireland. With our experienced instructor and examiner your SEP (Sea) Class Rating can be one of the most enjoyable experiences you will ever have. The SEP (Sea) Class Rating 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.

Experience Requirements

Prior to commencing training an applicant must hold a valid licence, rating and medical as indicated below:

1. UK / JAA PPL (A) with a SEP (Land) Class Rating and a valid Class 1/2 medical certificate
2. UK BCPL (A) with a SEP (Land) Class Rating and a valid Class 1/2 medical certificate
3. UK / JAA CPL (A) with a SEP (Land) Class Rating and a valid Class 1/2 medical certificate
4. UK / JAA ATPL (A) with a SEP (Land) Class Rating and a valid Class 1/2 medical certificate
5. NPPL (A) with a SSEA rating and a valid NPPL (A) medical certificate

Prior to training for a MEP (Sea)** the applicant must have also completed 70 hours PIC of aeroplanes (SE or ME)

** NPPL holders are restricted to flying single engine aeroplanes only

Training

SEP (Sea)

Minimum 5 hours of dual flying training and sufficient theoretical knowledge training to pass the Seamanship examination and an oral examination which forms part of the SEP (Sea) Class Rating Skill Test.

MEP (Sea)

Minimum 6 hours of flying training and will include:

• 2.5 hours dual flight instruction
• 3.5 hours dual flight instruction in engine failures and asymmetric operation

Note: There are no training schools in the UK conducting MEP (Sea) Class Ratings at present.

Seamanship Examination

A written paper consisting of 20 (Private) or 30 (Professional) multi-choice questions covering:

• Symbols and abbreviations used in Admiralty charts and plans which are of importance to seaplane and amphibian pilots
• The regulations for preventing collisions at sea
• Lights and shapes to be carried by ships and aeroplanes
• Sound and light signals of distress (ships)
• International Association of Lighthouse Maritime Buoyage - Region A
• Knowledge of tides and tidal definitions in general use

The pass mark is 75%. The examination must be passed within 12 months preceding the date of application. The Professional Seamanship examination is taken at a CAA Regional Test Centre or Gatwick whereas the Private Seamanship examination can be taken with On-Track Aviation. On-Track Aviation can provide theoretical knowledge training courses for both the Seamanship examinations. For details click Seaplane

Validity

24 months - SEP (Sea)

12 months - MEP (Sea)

Revalidation

SEP (Sea)

Pass a Proficiency Check within 3 months immediately preceding the expiry of the rating (see note 1)

OR

Within 12 months preceding rating expiry complete:

• 12 hours of flight time in either SEP (Land) or SEP (Sea) including 6 hours PIC
• 12 take-offs and landings on water (see note 5)
• 1 hour training flight with a Flight Instructor in either a SEP (Land) or SEP (Sea) aeroplane (see notes 2 and 4)

Notes:

1. If rating has expired a Proficiency Check must be completed. The new rating will then be valid from the date of the flight test.

2. This may be replaced by any other Proficiency Check or Skill Test for a Class or Type including the IMC Rating flight test.

3. No time penalty if revalidated within 3 months of rating expiry.

4. Recommended contents of the training flight click Dual Flight With An Instructor

5. If SEP (Land) and SEP (Sea) ratings are to be re-validated concurrently the experience requirements must also include 12 take-offs and landings on land and at least 1 hour of the PIC time must be completed on each class.

MEP (Sea)

Pass a Proficiency Check within 3 months immediately preceding the expiry of the rating

AND

During the validity period of the rating complete 10 route sectors as pilot of the relevant class or type of aeroplane

OR

Pass a Proficiency Check including a route sector within 3 months immediately preceding the expiry of the rating

Notes:

1. A route sector is defined as a flight including take-off, departure, at least 15 minutes in cruise, arrival, approach and landing.

2. No time penalty if revalidated within 3 months of rating expiry.

3. If rating has expired a Proficiency Check must be completed. The new rating will then be valid from the date of the flight test.

Renewal

To renew either a SEP (Sea) or MEP (Sea) rating the applicant must pass a Proficiency Check with a Seaplane FE. If renewing the MEP (Sea) the Proficiency Check must include a route sector.

Converting A Non-UK Seaplane Rating

Anyone wishing to gain a UK Seaplane rating on the basis of a foreign endorsement should contact the CAA in the first instance. Generally the following requirements must be satisfied:

SEP (Sea)

Provide logbook evidence of having completed 5 hours dual instruction on SEP (Sea) aeroplanes

Pass the Seamanship examination

Pass a flight test in an SEP (Sea) aeroplane with a JAR examiner seaplanes

Provide logbook evidence of 12 hours of flight time in SEP (Land or Sea) aeroplane in the preceding 12 months to include:

• 6 hours PIC
• 1 hour dual flight with an instructor
• 1 hour PIC in a SEP (Sea) aeroplane
• 12 take-offs and landings on water as PIC or Dual

MEP (Sea)

Provide logbook evidence of having completed 6 hours of flying training including 2.5 hours dual flight instruction and 3.5 hours dual flight instruction in engine failures and asymmetric operation

Pass the Seamanship examination

Training as required to pass a flight test in a MEP (Sea) aeroplane with a JAR examiner seaplanes

Provide logbook evidence of having completed 70 hours as PIC of aeroplanes (SE or ME / Land or Sea)

Privileges

To fly as PIC of a seaplane or amphibian from water

Skill Test / Proficiency Check

Section 1 Departure

Pre-flight including:

• Documentation - Pilot and Aircraft
• Mass & Balance and Performance
• LSJ, Anchor, Sea Anchor and Ropes
• Weather briefing

Pre-start checks - External & Internal:

• Water rudders
• Float or hull inspection
• Float or hull bilging

Engine Starting - Normal & Malfunctions:

• Positioning of seaplane
• Area check
• Control of seaplane after start

Taxiing:

• Assessment of wind and water conditions
• Dispalcement, Plow and Step taxi and turns
• Turn from upwind to downwind
• Turn from downwind to upwind
• Crosswind taxi
• Sailing

Pre-departure checks - Engine run-up

Take-off procedure:

• Normal, Rough, Glassy, Crosswind and Restricted Area (Simulated)
• Recovery from porpoising

Landing gear selection (Amphibian only)

Climbing (Vx / Vy - turns onto headings, level off)

ATC liaison - Compliance, R/T procedure

Seamanship:

• Lookout and manoeuvring on the water
• Water discipline and rights of way

Section 2 Airwork (VFR)

Straight and level flight at various airspeeds including flight at critically low airspeed with and without flaps

Steep turns (360º left and right at 45º bank)

Stalls and recovery:

• Clean stall
• Approach to stall in descending turn with bank, approach configuration and power
• Approach to stall in landing configuration and power
• Approach to stall, climbing turn with take-off flap and climb power
• ATC liaison - Compliance, R/T procedure

Section 3 En-Route Procedures (VFR)

Flight plan, dead reckoning and map reading

Maintenance of altitude, heading and speed

Orientation, timing and revision of ETAs

Use of radio navigation aids (if applicable)

Flight management (flight log, routine checks including fuel, systems and icing)

ATC liaison - Compliance, R/T procedure

Section 4 Arrival and Landings

Arrival procedure:

• Aerial inspection of landing area
• Assessment of surface wind

Landing:

• Normal, Glassy and Rough water
• Flapless and Crosswind
• Landing gear selection (Amphibian only)
• After alighting checks

Approach and landing from up to 2000' above the landing area

Go-around from minimum height

Mooring / Buoying and Buoy identification, Anchoring, Beaching and Ramping

Docking - Normal and Sailing techniques

ATC liaison - Compliance, R/T procedure

Seamanship:

• Lookout and manoeuvring on the water
• Water discipline and rights of way

Section 5 Abnormal and Emergency Procedures (may be combined with Sections 1 to 4)

Rejected take-off (at a reasonable speed) on water

Simulated engine failure after take-off

Simulated forced landing without power

Simulated emergencies:

• Engine fire in flight and on the water
• Cabin fire in the flight
• Damaged float landing
• En-route engine failure over water and land
• Engine failure whilst on the water
• Systems malfunctions as appropriate

ATC liaison - Compliance, R/T procedure

Seamanship

• Lookout and manoeuvring on the water
• Water discipline and rights of way

Section 6 Simulated Asymmetric Flight (if applicable) and Relevant Class/Type Rating Items (May be combined with sections 1 through 5)

Simulated engine failure during take-off (at a safe height)

Asymmetric approach and go-around

Asymmetric approach and full-stop landing

Engine shutdown and restart

Any relevant items of class/type including:

• Handling of the autopilot
• Pressurisation system
• De-icing

Oral Examination

The applicant shall be asked questions on subjects associated seaplane operations

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