Float plane flying in MA

Mattio

Mattio

Well-Known Member
I was wondering if someone would be willing to take the time and school me in float plane operations in Massachusetts. I've been trying to find information online without any luck.

Say I was lucky enough to some day own a piece of lakefront property on Lake Pearl in Wrentham, MA (Just northwest of 1B9), would I be able to land a floatplane there and dock it at my dock? What are the regulations like in MA? Let's also say I wanted to fly down to the Cape area and dock my floatplane at my grandfather's moor for a couple days. Is this prohibited? I know you don't want to take off or land in rough seas, but what if you had to leave it moored during waves that were a few feet high? Would that be safe and would that be covered by insurance? Thanks to anyone that takes this on!
 
closest you'll get to a float plane flight school around New England is Twitchell's in central Maine

http://www.twitchells3b5.com/

Pretty sure if the pond/lake allows motored boats, it allows sea planes. But I would check with the town first just to be safe, it is their property (unless its privately owned). I'd also avoid flying a sea plane on the ocean, as the salt will destroy aluminum, but again, no laws against it if powered boats are allowed.
 
7700 said:
closest you'll get to a float plane flight school around New England is Twitchell's in central Maine

http://www.twitchells3b5.com/

Pretty sure if the pond/lake allows motored boats, it allows sea planes. But I would check with the town first just to be safe, it is their property (unless its privately owned). I'd also avoid flying a sea plane on the ocean, as the salt will destroy aluminum, but again, no laws against it if powered boats are allowed.
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Just because boats are allowed, doesn't mean seaplanes are allowed- you may want to check your facts.

To the O.P. - The best directory of water landing areas is the water landing directory by the SPA that adler posted a link to. Established seaplane bases are charted on sectional charts. Operations on public waters are usually left up to local and state governments. If your really interested in flying seaplanes here are two good reads

FAA-H-8083-23
AC91-69A
 
avi8tor said:
Just because boats are allowed, doesn't mean seaplanes are allowed- you may want to check your facts.

To the O.P. - The best directory of water landing areas is the water landing directory by the SPA that adler posted a link to. Established seaplane bases are charted on sectional charts. Operations on public waters are usually left up to local and state governments. If your really interested in flying seaplanes here are two good reads

FAA-H-8083-23
AC91-69A
Click to expand...

Hence my comment "but I would check with the town first" because I'm NOT stating a fact
 
Thanks for the info, guys. Sounds like I'm better off leaving my aspirations for purchasing an aircraft to the land-based variety.
 
Mattio said:
Thanks for the info, guys. Sounds like I'm better off leaving my aspirations for purchasing an aircraft to the land-based variety.
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I wouldnt give up that easy. Just check the ordinances up there and and see if they allow seaplanes. The directory that adler posted from the SPA will tell you everything you need to know. Salt water is a real PITA, but you'll be fine as long you wash the plane regularly, and keep the corrosion in check. Alternatively, you could go with composite floats.

Generally speaking the plane should be fine while tied up, you just gotta check on it kind regularly. You'd be surprised what can happen while you're not watching it.

I think the biggest obstacle you're going to run into, depending on the plane, is noise. If its a "high class" populated area, and there aren't any rules against sea planes, there will be once you start waking the locals up.

Good luck!
 
Mattio said:
Thanks for the info, guys. Sounds like I'm better off leaving my aspirations for purchasing an aircraft to the land-based variety.
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You could always put a plane on a set of amphibs, then you can land on water or land.
 
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