Frequently Asked Questions
FloatSafety Seaplane Training is the first floatplane endorsement school that combines real world commercial seaplane experience with a tried and true ground training seminar. Our seminar covers every facet of commercial seaplane operations focusing heavily on developing exceptional judgment and decision making skills.
We strongly encourage every student to attend our ground training seminar and complete our comprehensive exam. At FloatSafety Seaplane Training we will ensure that you are well prepared for a career in commercial seaplane operations. If you are a Private Pilot, our commercial approach can only improve your piloting skills.
You will require a Recreational, Private, Commercial or ATP Licence to obtain the float endorsement. The requirements for each particular licence are outlined below. These requirements are referenced from CARS 425.13 Flight Training.
Permit/Licence Type |
Minimum Age |
Medical Category |
Skill |
Experience (minimum) |
Recreational |
16 |
1,3 or 4 |
Flight Test |
25hrs |
Private Pilot |
17 |
1 or 3 |
Flight Test |
45hrs |
Commercial & ATPL |
If you hold one of these licenses and a valid medical, you already qualify |
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You may commence the training prior to obtaining these requirements, but in order to solo and hold the endorsement you must meet these minimum standards.
For foreign licence holders, you will have to fill out and submit the Limited Term Pilot Licence section of the Foreign Licence Validation Form so you may exercise your flying privileges here in Canada. You must produce your pilot's licence and a valid medical, the cost is $40 CAD and requires a short visit to a Transport Canada office during business hours. You can commence the training without it, but you must have it to solo in Canada.
An applicant for a seaplane rating shall complete a total of 7 hours of seaplane training, including a minimum of 5 hours dual instruction, and a minimum of 5 takeoffs and landings as sole occupant of the aeroplane, except for two crew aircraft, in which case the takeoffs and landings shall be done as pilot-in-command. These requirements are referenced from CARS 421.38.
As is typical with other licenses and endorsements, the Transport Canada minimum requirements are often exceeded in lieu of the student being adequately and safely prepared to hold the licence or endorsement. Please keep this in mind when considering your budget. We believe 10 hours is a more realistic total to complete the endorsement.
$240/hr $100 $30
If the student completes the endorsement in the minimum 7 hours, the cost of the endorsement works out to $1810 CAD not including applicable taxes.
It really depends on the weather and how hard the student wants to work. We can complete the course in as little as 2 days. Typically 3-5 days is a better pace.
FloatSafety Seaplane Training operates a well-equipped Cessna 172 (C-FSTY) with a Bush 180 Hp engine conversion, fixed pitch prop, Horton STOL Kit and manual flaps.
Unfortunately, due to the unpredictable nature of float flying, we will not be offering the aircraft for solo rental. Although, once you have your float rating, you will be able to advance your skills by renting the aircraft with our instructors on an advisory basis, so you can log the time as PIC. In effect this is a student and instructor tailored advanced training course similar to what other schools would call a 50 hour course.
FloatSafety Seaplane Training has secured an arrangement with Harbour Air Seaplanes Ltd. We are operating from their dock and hangar space at the YVR south terminal seaplane base and Flying Beaver Bar. Our seminars and administration are located in Boundary Bay at The Professional Flight Centre facility. Check the 'Find Us' page for directions and some cool satellite photos.
Our Ground School Seminars are held at the Professional Flight Centre facility at the Boundary Bay Airport. Please check the sidebar for the next seminar date or contact us for future dates. The seminar is $100 and includes the FloatSafety Seaplane Training Manual. Be sure to book ahead of time so we have an idea of the numbers attending. Call 604.952.4635 or email info@floatsafety.com for details.
The ground school seminar runs for approximately 4-6 hours. They are held on a Saturday or Sunday starting at 9am and ending around 3pm with a 1 hour lunch break.
The ground school seminar is a Power Point presentation covering every facet of seaplane operations. We start with 'Developing Solid Decision Making and Judgement' as the foundation for the seminar. Then we continually refer back to it as we explore such topics as Take Off and Landing Site Inspection, Flight Planning, Navigation, Maintenance, Communication, Bush Flying Skills, Floatplane Skills and Accident Analysis to name a few. We end the seminar with a short exam and correct it in class to 100%.
We strongly believe that the flight training for the seaplane endorsement is only half of what a student needs to be a safe and competent float pilot. The Floatsafety Seaplane Training Ground Seminar makes the difference and sets us apart from other training programs.
Transport Canada issued our Operating Certificate on July 22nd, 2005 and we commenced operations immediately. We are one of a very few seaplane training operations that operate year round in Canada.
The FloatSafety Seaplane Training Manual is a continuing work in progress. We are always adding new content. Version 1.0 includes the following;
| FloatSafety Seaplane Training Course Outline |
| FloatSafety Seaplane Training SOP's and Ground School Outline |
| Copy of Cessna 172 Operating Manual, Float Supplement and Engine STC |
| The YVR floatplane entry and departure procedures |
| FloatSafety Seaplane Training Student Registration Form |
Pilot Training Record Form |
| Flight Training Report Form |
| Flight Crew Licence - Application for Endorsement of a Rating (Transport Canada Form 26-00) |
We will continue to update the manual periodically. It will be available on-line as a PDF file from the sidebar under 'Downloads'.
Yes. It costs $39.99 and you can download it in PDF format through this website. You will need to contact us for payment and to obtain a username/password.
No. In Canada the Seaplane Endorsement is completed when the requirement of 7 hours total with 5 hours dual is met and the student performs 5 solo take offs and landings as sole occupant of the aircraft. Canada is in the process of changing the requirements to a 'check ride' type scenario, but we don't expect these changes for some time.
You can endorse your licence in 2 ways;
The first is for our authorized person to fill in the paper work and sign the back of your licence. Your licence is then valid for 90 days until your new one arrives in the mail with the seaplane endorsement added. We take care of all the paperwork and charge you the endorsement fee through your account. (not for foreign licence holders)
The second way is for you to take the endorsement form signed by you and your instructor and a cheque for $30 CAD to Transport Canada during business hours and submit it yourself, they will mail you a new licence within approx. 4 weeks.
The process for a foreign licence holder to obtain a seaplane endorsement in Canada is relatively easy. You must first obtain a Limited Term Pilot Licence from Transport Canada. The FLVC form is available in the sidebar under 'Downloads'. Fill out the Limited Term Pilot Licence section and present it, your pilot licence and valid medical to a Transport Canada Office during business hours. It will cost $40 CAD and is valid for 90 days. It grants you flying privileges here in Canada. When you complete your seaplane training, return to the Transport Canada office with your completed endorsement form and $30 CAD for the fee. They will endorse your Limited Term Licence with the seaplane rating.
When you bring that document home to your own aviation authority, it is up to them to decide whether they will accept it or not and transfer the endorsement to your licence. They may require you to do a check ride or have completed a minimum number of flying hours to honour your Canadian endorsement, or they may just sign it off no problem. Canada is an ICAO state so you would think it should be acceptable. We have tried contacting the Aviation Authorities of Britain and the USA and have yet to receive a qualified answer. The best thing to do would be to inquire at your local aviation authority office and find out before you arrive here.
Minimum ceiling and visibility for dual flight training operations |
800' AGL, with at least 3 miles visibility |
| Minimum ceiling and visibility for solo flight training operations | 1000' AGL, with at least 3 miles visibility |
| Maximum wind conditions for dual and solo flight training operations | Sustained 12 knots |
| Maximum cross-wind for conducting dual instructed take off and landing | 8 knots |
| Minimum temperature for dual and solo flight training operations | 0 degrees Celsius |
Unfortunately, no. Our aircraft can only carry 2 persons with an adequate fuel load for a standard 2 hour lesson.
Yes! We are well connected in the aviation world here in Canada and abroad. We believe that someday our reputation will be so well known, that we will see operators calling us looking for pilots.
No. Although we can put you in touch with our friends at Harbour Air Seaplanes for any sightseeing you would like to do. They have many tours available.
Absolutely! We have instructors qualified in many different types of float equipped aircraft. We would be happy to help you out with a check-out. In fact we would encourage any private aircraft owner to, at least, attend our ground seminar in the interest of float safety.
Yes, we are one of the only training operations that operate all year.
Stay tuned for our next seminar!
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Nav Canada Weather |
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Nav Canada Flight Planning |
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Transport Canada-CARS |
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TSB-Accident Database |
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NTSB-Accident Database |
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Foreign Pilots |
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Instructor Guide Seaplane Rating |
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FloatSafety Training Manual Version 2.0 |
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Transport Canada Endorsement Forms |
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Foreign Licence Validation Forms |
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Staff Services Site |
