An Aviator’s Field Guide to the Seaplane Rating

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In this practical guide for aspiring seaplane pilots, author Bill Young details what students need to know to earn their Airplane Single-Engine Sea (ASES) Rating. It is designed for pilots to actively use before and during training and provides a curriculum of flight and ground lessons, oral exam preparation questions and answers, and a focus on safety through scenario-based training and the use of checklists. The content is aligned with the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) to ensure all requirements are met, with references to the specific ACS tasks addressed to guide further study. The author uses an example seaplane to illustrate concepts while providing spaces throughout for students to record details specific to the aircraft they are training in. The thorough study guide covers seaplane basics, reading the water surface, assessing the landing area, preflight procedures, manuevering on the water, takeoffs and landings, beaching, docking, and important procedures and safety considerations specific to amphibious seaplanes. This guide will provide students with the knowledge and confidence to earn their ASES rating and become safe and competent seaplane pilots.

Bill Young is a seaplane pilot and instructor and a former owner of a Cessna 185 on amphibious floats. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate and Commercial Airplane Single-Engine Sea and Multi-Engine Sea Ratings. He is a Cessna Citation XL/XLS charter pilot and is a CFII, with 3,000 hours of flying time. He also holds Instrument Ground Instructor and Advanced Ground Instructor Certificates.

This book is adapted from the manual he wrote for his own students in the Cessna 185 amphib. He hopes it will help you become a proficient and safe seaplane pilot, and that a foundation of proficiency and safety will free you to appreciate the beauty and fun of flying floats.