Double Click to see Cessna 185 on Wipaire 3730 Amphibian Floats
This website is for the promotion of safety in the operation of Seaplanes in and around the State of Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and the Chesapeake Bay Area. Pilots that fly seaplanes or that are interested in flying seaplanes will like to browse this website. This site will interest all pilots flying seaplanes or pilots interested in learning to fly seaplanes. This website will be updated continually on places to go to fly seaplanes, new seaplane bases and old seaplane bases, new landing sites, closed seaplanes landing areas, seaplanes for sale and new developments for promoting seaplane safety, along with where to get fuel for your seaplane.
Where can you go to get your seaplane rating?
Maryland - Chesapeake Seaplanes www.cheaspeakeseaplanes.com
Maine - Twitchell's Seaplane Base www.mainecareers.com
Florida - Ryan Aviation www.ryanseaplanes.com
Brown's Seaplane Base www.gate.net/~seaplane
Louisiana - Hammonds Air Service www.hammondsair.com
What does it cost to get your seaplane rating?
It costs between $995 to $3890 depending on the seaplane.
Can I rent a seaplane after I get my seaplane rating to stay current?
SES Seaplane Ratings: Aviation Adventures www.SESratings.com Mostly no, except Twitchell's Seaplane Base, Turner, ME.www.twitchells3b5.com
Since I can't rent a seaplane, what is my alternative to stay current?
Buy dual block seaplane time at the different seaplane schools or buy your own seaplanes.
What would be a good starter seaplane for less than $70,000? Maybe look in Canada for some seaplanes.http://www.cs-ent.ca/floatlist.htm
J-3 on Straight Floats
Aeronca Champ/Chief on Straight Floats
Citabria on Straight Floats
Aeronca Sedan on Straight Floats
Cessna 150 on Straight Floats
What would be a good starter seaplane for less than $140,000?
Tecnam Aircraft 92 Echo Super on Amphibian Floats www.tecnamaircraft.com
Flight Design CTLS on Czech 1300 LSA Straight Floats www.flightdesignusa.com
Paradise LSA on Downwind Amphib Quad Floats
Cessna 172 on Straight Floats
Cessna 172XP on Straight Floats
Cessna 180 (1953-1957) on Straight Floats
Maule M5 on Straight Floats
What would be a good traveling seaplane for less than $220,000?
Aviat Husky A1B on Amphibian Floats
Maule M7 on Amphibian Floats
CubCrafters Top Cub on Amphibian Floats
American Champion High Country Explorer on Amphibian Floats
Cessna 180 on Amphibian Floats
Cessna 185 on Amphibian Floats
Cessna 195 on Amphibian Floats
Republic RC3 SeaBee
What would be a good load hauling seaplane for $250,000 and up?
Cessna 185 on Amphibian Floats
Cessna 206 on Amphibian Floats
Expedition - Bushhawk-XP on Amphibian Floats
Aztec on Amphibian Floats
DeHaviland Beaver DHC-2 on Amphibian Floats
Dehaviland Otter DHC-3 on Amphibian Floats
Cessna 208 Caravan on Amphibian Floats
Maule M7-235 on Amphibian Floats
Lake LA250 Turbo Renegade
Grumman Wigeon
Grumman Goose
Grumman Mallard
Grumman Albatros HU-16
BEV-103
Dehaviland DHC-6 Twin Otter on Amphibian Floats
Republic UC-1 Twin Bee
Can you put any airplane on floats?
If the plane has a float kit on it already, it is easy to put the plane on floats. It takes about a day. If the plane does not have a float kit, you can buy and have a float kit installed on certain aircraft. If there is no float kit, your A&P mechanic can go thru the field approval process (AC 43-210 and FAA Notice 8300.119 and FAA Order 8300.10) to get the float installation approved.
Are there any new airplanes that would make good seaplanes in the certification phase?
Sportsman 2+2 on Clamar Amphibian Floats http://www.clamarfloats.com/
Symphony 160 on Amphibian Floats
Extra EA400 or EA500 on Amphibian Floats www.extraaircraft.com
Partenavia 68B on Amphibian Floats www.vulcanair.com
Piper 6X on Amphibian Floats www.newpiper.com
What are some of the best modifications to increase safety on seaplanes?
Sportsman STOL www.steneaviation.com
Micro AeroDynamic Vortex Generators www.microaero.com
Wing X Stol Conversion www.wingxstol.com
Horton STOL www.hortonstolcraft.com
McCauley 3 Blade Black Max Propeller www.McCauley.Textron.com
Where can I buy seaplane floats?
Aerocet Floats www.aerocet.com
Baumann Floats www.baumannfloats.com
PK Floats www.pkfloats.com
Wipaire Inc. www.wipaire.com
These are the major manufacturers of floats for certified seaplanes. All of these questions and answers are the research and opinion of Marshall Gildermaster, seaplane airline transport pilot and IA/A&P.
Where can I join a local organization in the Chesapeake Bay Area?
Join the following Seaplane Pilots Association.
Chesapeake Bay Seaplane Pilots Association (CBSPA)
For More Information Contact:Marshall Gildermaster
(410)-360-8193
Membership Application (Word Document)
2008 NATIONAL FLY-IN EVENTS
2008 LOCAL FLY-IN EVENTS
Essex Skypark SPB -W48--
Bay Bridge SPB -W29--
South River SPB -00B--
Harve De Grace SPB -M06--
Rehoboth Beach SPB
Wingfield SPB -MD01--
Annapolis SPB -01MD
Clements Creek SPB
Benedict Seaplane Base
Raintree Seaplane Base SPB -1C4--
Red Mill Pond Landing Area SPB
Airport has been sold to Baltimore County. No Fuel and No Services. Info (410)252-5720
W48 --Essex SkyPark SPB- Shallow Sand Bar South of Witch Coat Point.
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Bay Bridge(W29) Seaplane Ramp Lat. 38-58.662'N / Long.076-20.052'W
W29 -- The Seaplane Ramp at Bay Bridge is ready for seaplane use. It works best at the higher tide levels. It is 16 ft wide and works great at mid to high tide. At low tide there is not enough water to get to shore and use the ramp.
Call 123.00 UNICOM to get fuel. AWOS is 120.57
Be Very Cautious of landing in the Bay with Northerly and Westerly Winds. The bay gets very rough. Watch for crab pots when landing. Seaplane pull out can be arranged with prior notice by calling Safe Flight (410)643-7728.
PUMP YOUR OWN AVGAS OR
CALL THE TRUCK DOWN TO THE RAMP
FSS-800-WX-BRIEF(800-992-7433), Call Approach 866-429-5882 or 540-349-7579 to get Transponder Code for IFR flights or Squawk 1227 if entering and exiting due East along Hwy 50 per the notam.
To use the ramp at Bay Bridge, look for a tide level above 0.350 meters at the following website for Annapolis. Watch the orange line. Subtract 4 hours from GMT to get local time on chart. (ie: 12:00 GMT is 08:00 am)
URL: http://tidesonline.nos.noaa.gov
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00B --- Lat 38-54.88'N Long 076-30.28'W SPB has been sold to a new owner. SPB is Private Property. SPB license is still active. Storage may be avialable. Contact Omega Properties (410)353-4927 Mr. Demetri. Call before coming. Note: Do not land in Selby Bay by seaplane base. Plan on landing out in the South River. Be cautious for large boat waves in the river, especially on Sunday afternoon when all the boats are coming back to harbor for the night.
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M06 --- Lat 39-32.49'N Long 076-04.18'W Located at the Mouth of the Scenic Susquehanna River.
NOTE: Noise Abatement - Climb Out Over The Water. Info (410)939-1498
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Private - Lat 38-39.68' N Long 075-05.92 W Located in Delaware
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MD01 --- Lat 38-08.61'N Long 076-21.39'W Private - Flight Instructor Available.
URL: http://www.cheaspeakeseaplanes.com
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01MD --- Private Seaplane Base-on Mill Creek. Located inside the ADIZ. PRIOR PERMISSION REQUIRED (410)757-4041, (410)320-0777
Mike Reisinger
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Private - Prior Permission Required (410)849-8486. Located on the beautiful Severn River.Located inside the ADIZ.
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Private - Prior Permission Required. Located inside of the ADIZ. Located on the beautiful Patuxent River, but has good food. (Coordinates Lat.N38-30.2/Long.W076-40.8). Call Dave Davidson (301)274-2882
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1C4 ---- Lat 39-34.15'N Long 075-50.86'W Marina Contact (410)398-6600. If you need fuel, call (410)398-0234, but bring cans. River works best at high tide. There are really no facilities right now at the seaplane base, and the marina has lots of piling around, so be careful.
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Private - Located in Delaware (302)645-5627 Please respect local home owners. Also, no touch and go's.
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LIGHT HOUSES: Wye River Light House
SCENIC LAKES AND RIVERS:
.....Virginia
- Lake Anna: (Pleasants Landing -(540)872-7024) on the south side of the lake is very accommodating and has marine gas for sale to put in your AutoGas STC seaplane.
.....Maryland
- Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland Invites Seaplanes to Lake, NOTE: Permission must be requested from Paul Durham, Park Manager (301) 387-4111.
Silver Tree Inn Lakefront Dining (301)387-4040
www.silvertreecenter.com
.....Delaware
FLY-IN RESTAURANTS:
.....Maryland
CHESTER RIVER - OLD Wharf Inn - Call (410)778-3566
CHOPTANK RIVER - Suicide Bridge Restaurant -- Parking is limited on a very small beach behind the Paddle Wheeler http://www.suicidebridge.com
Suicide Bridge Restaurant,MD Lat. 38.37.902'N /Long. 075.56.914'W
CUSTOMS :
Returning from Canada stop at IRONDEQUOIT BAY Lat. 43-10.72'N/Long. 077-31.32' W. Located just east of Rochester, New York (ROC). Seaplane ramp is on south shore of lake by marina. Be sure to call 2 hrs ahead to for prior notification to customs (585)263-6294.
Southpoint Marina (585) 288-0720 (April 15th - October 15th)
http://www.southpointmarina.com
NOTES OF SAFETY : Bay Bridge Overpass HWY 50, DO NOT FLY Under The Bridge
Seaplane Projects: Any Seaplanes Getting Ready for Next Year.
Seaplane Trailers FOR SALE:
TeleDyne Continental IO520D Engine SN:175652-R For Sale $7800 Good Core 1728 SMOH. See Seaplanes.org Classified
Commercial Seaplane Operations (ie:Sightseeing, Flight Instruction (410)360-8193 Starting May, 2008
Martin State Airport Manager has been contacted for permission to use the old Martin State Seaplane Ramp, but right now the ramp is fenced off from the river. Can maybe get 100 LL if you call ahead. You also shoot the ILS to the southeast and circle to land in the water with 1 mile visibility under Special VFR.
Destination :
Waterfront Bed-N-Breakfast (To Be Added)
Essex SPB
Bay Bridge Airport
South River SPB
Harve De Grace SPB
Wing Field SPB
Annapolis SPB
Benedict SPB
Wye River Lighthouse
Martin State Seaplane Ramp