Florida Sea Plane Schools

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Clipper5895h

New Member
I'm looking to add on a single sea plane rating to my license while I have the opportunity to in the florida area. Any recommendations or comments about on Jack browns school or any other in the FL area? Thanks...
 
Florida is a big state. Any particular location you are looking for, or are you willing to travel around the state? Single engine or multi engine?
 
Again, best really depends on what you want to learn. Jack Brown's in Lakeland is famously known for having done training for a long, long time. They fly J3 Cubs on floats. I did my seaplane rating at Ryan Aviation in Flagler (north of Daytona), in an amphibious Husky. They also have a DHC-2 on amphibs.

Here's a good link, done by the Seaplane Pliots Association, with a list of all the schools in Florida that do seaplane training. http://www.seaplanes.org/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=131&Itemid=174
 
KSCessnaDriver said:
Again, best really depends on what you want to learn. Jack Brown's in Lakeland is famously known for having done training for a long, long time. They fly J3 Cubs on floats. I did my seaplane rating at Ryan Aviation in Flagler (north of Daytona), in an amphibious Husky. They also have a DHC-2 on amphibs.

Here's a good link, done by the Seaplane Pliots Association, with a list of all the schools in Florida that do seaplane training. http://www.seaplanes.org/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=131&Itemid=174
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Thanks for the GREAT website! I'm really looking to have the rating for a different experience and chance to do something different in aviation. Do you think its worth the extra $300 to go to Ryan Aviation husky's or just stick with Jack Browns and the cub?
 
Clipper5895h said:
Thanks for the GREAT website! I'm really looking to have the rating for a different experience and chance to do something different in aviation. Do you think its worth the extra $300 to go to Ryan Aviation husky's or just stick with Jack Browns and the cub?
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Honestly, I don't think it makes a difference. The only material difference, is at Jack Browns, you are totally operating off water, whereas at Ryan Aviation, you have to leave the airport, fly to the lake, and then fly back to the airport. I went the route of the amphib, because at the time, I didn't have a complex endorsement, so I ended up getting both my SES rating and the complex endorsement. I do have a logged instrument approach in a seaplane, as the Husky at Ryan has a 430W, so if you wanted an ATP SES, you could do that there too. Anyway personally, I'd like to go get my commercial, but if I did, I'd go to a place that has something a little bigger, like a Maule or something. But really, unless you have a job lined up for flying a seaplane, its kind of a "pick what airplane looks more fun to fly" deal.
 
I know a few of the instructors at Jack's. Everyone I know it great. There are also amphibians in Winter Haven. They have Lakes and maybe something else. I don't think you would be disappointed if you went to Jack's. I also know of a place in Altimonte that has a Maule. It is more expensive than Jack's though, but the guy is great to work with.
 
I did my SES at Jack Brown's - they have a really great program there. Many people think of them as more of a rating factory, but I can tell you that's not really true. You learn a lot. I went there with my MES already... and thought it would be somewhat basic and simple. I learned a ton. The instructors really know their stuff. It is a huge stick and rudder rating - it's just fun flying. John does the checkride there and really makes sure you know your stuff. They've been doing seaplane ratings forever, they definitely know what they're doing.

The J-3 is an honest airplane, and in my opinion, a great trainer for the single engine sea... there isn't really much more than you, a throttle, stick, and rudders.
 
Get ready for a lot of fun. My SES (C-180 amphib) was one of the most fun things I've ever done in an airplane.
 
KSCessnaDriver said:
Honestly, I don't think it makes a difference. The only material difference, is at Jack Browns, you are totally operating off water, whereas at Ryan Aviation, you have to leave the airport, fly to the lake, and then fly back to the airport. I went the route of the amphib, because at the time, I didn't have a complex endorsement, so I ended up getting both my SES rating and the complex endorsement. I do have a logged instrument approach in a seaplane, as the Husky at Ryan has a 430W, so if you wanted an ATP SES, you could do that there too. Anyway personally, I'd like to go get my commercial, but if I did, I'd go to a place that has something a little bigger, like a Maule or something. But really, unless you have a job lined up for flying a seaplane, its kind of a "pick what airplane looks more fun to fly" deal.
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As a Seaplane operator I think it does make a difference where you go and what you will do and learn. I provide seaplane ratings at every level and based on my experience you get what you pay for. That's not to say that a basic rating is bad, but if you're planning on pushing your skills past basic then you should find an operator that can push you to learn those skills. So yes . . . I have an interest in providing ratings and no I'm not the cheapest, but you will learn beyond the minimum. Check out other message boards like seaplaneforum{dot}com and pose your questions there to seaplane people.

We are located in Tavares Florida and do both Single and Multi Engine Sea Ratings. I'm friends with all the people that have been mentioned here and have sent many checkrides to Browns. I did my rating at Browns. But I learned what it takes to be a Seaplane Pilot on my own sometimes with great risk. Just like a private . . . it's just the beginning. Just because it's one item that you're familiar with (flying) and get a SES doesn't mean you've even scratched the surface of really being a seaplane proficient pilot. The reality is that wherever you get your seaplane rating you'll pretty much leave with just the basics, but depending on where you go you'll get more or less depending on the complexity of the plane and the skill of the instructor.

Eric
 
I did my rating at Jack Browns in 2006. It was around 1100 bucks and 6 hours of flying including the check ride. I had a blast doing it and my only regret is I wish I would have waited until I was a CPL to do it.

*Although the cool thing about my certificate is I now have three levels of pilot ratings on the back. ATP, Commercial, Private :D
 
I also did my rating at Jack Brown's back in 2006. Time and prices pretty much exactly as Blizzue just said. It was some of the most fun I've ever had flying. The people at Brown's were awesome and I'd definitely recommend them. I've thought about going back to do my multi, but I can't justify how much more that would cost when I know it'd just be a novelty and I'd never use it.
 
Jones Brothers Seaplanes said:
As a Seaplane operator I think it does make a difference where you go and what you will do and learn. I provide seaplane ratings at every level and based on my experience you get what you pay for. That's not to say that a basic rating is bad, but if you're planning on pushing your skills past basic then you should find an operator that can push you to learn those skills. So yes . . . I have an interest in providing ratings and no I'm not the cheapest, but you will learn beyond the minimum. Check out other message boards like seaplaneforum{dot}com and pose your questions there to seaplane people.

We are located in Tavares Florida and do both Single and Multi Engine Sea Ratings. I'm friends with all the people that have been mentioned here and have sent many checkrides to Browns. I did my rating at Browns. But I learned what it takes to be a Seaplane Pilot on my own sometimes with great risk. Just like a private . . . it's just the beginning. Just because it's one item that you're familiar with (flying) and get a SES doesn't mean you've even scratched the surface of really being a seaplane proficient pilot. The reality is that wherever you get your seaplane rating you'll pretty much leave with just the basics, but depending on where you go you'll get more or less depending on the complexity of the plane and the skill of the instructor.

Eric
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I second everything you just said. I've never heard of your outfit, but just by what you had to say, you seem to be the real deal.

To expand, if all anyone is looking for is another rating on your ticket, then i guess jack browns might not be too bad. If you actually plan on using it, then all it is is a license to sink a plane, or hurt yourself.

I'm not out to sell any program, just be careful what you expect to get out of your rating.

OP:
Feel free to PM me with any questions, im not a guru, but im sure i could help out.
 
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