Adding a Seaplane Ratings

Research led me to Moose Pass Alaska, and “Alaska Float Ratings”, which is part of the Scenic Mountain Air operation. Their website, as well as the ad I had cut out of the Pacific Flyer newspaper promised “real bush flying,” “taught by real working bush pilots.”

I put down my deposit and anxiously waited all summer. I had booked the Labor Day Holiday week. I had chosen a package that included 10 hours of flight time, covering 4-5 days of training.

So, there I was on Labor Day, at 0900 ready to go. The drive in from Anchorage was beautiful, and I spotted several super cubs ready to go down at the docks.

Vern Kingsford, the owner, (and more importantly the DPE) started the training off by introducing us (class of four for the week) to the instructors. All are working pilots in Vern’s 135 operation. We would rotate instructors based upon availability and to give each student a different perspective. After some ground instruction, it was time to go fly.

The first flight was an overview, and introduction. It also was used as a familiarization with the Super Cub on floats. Slow Flight, steep turns, stalls, and basic handling were all gone over. At the end of the hour, we descended to follow the river back to Trail Lake. This was used to get the feel of the aircraft. I knew this was going to be different than anything I had ever done before. All my experience has been in Cessna’s and Piper Warriors. I quickly learned what rudder pedals are actually used for, and what my feet should be doing! With a river below us, trees looking uncomfortably close (for this L.A. area pilot!) and mountain wall’s towering up nearby it was definite excitement!

My meager abilities of writing do not do the scenery justice. After landing we debriefed, and I prepared for my next lesson by studying up some of the handouts. This was the way each of the days went. On each of the following day’s leading up to the check ride I flew at least twice a day, which left time for study, as well as sightseeing in the area.

This course really gets you “back to basics.” My previous training was conducted at a small college in Arizona. It was great training, and they have a good program. But, just like many schools it is a “pipeline” style of school, teaching what it takes to fly in the ATC system, and preparing most of its students for “Airline” style jobs. Flying “by the numbers,” so to speak. I thought I had learned to fly in the mountains.Boy was I wrong. Flying comfortably over some mountains, or around them (Southern Arizona) is sure not flying IN THEM! Let alone landing on a tiny lake with gusty winds amongst them.

I then thought about the FBOs I had been renting from over the past two years, and the checkout’s and training I had been given. Many times procedures that are drilled into your mind are more for the FBOs benefit than your flying safety and skill in my opinion.

How many times during a checkout were you cautioned against “jockeying the throttle” or to be “smooth and gentle” with the throttle. Flying floats teaches you to “use what you have.” I don’t mean abuse the aircraft, but not be “tentative” with the controls, especially the engine.

After the first couple hours, and several firsts for me; such as, first float experience, first stick aircraft experience, first tandem seat experience, first bush flying experience; I concluded that my past training although “quality” had more or less just taught me to “operate an aircraft” instead of learning to truly “fly a plane.”

Learning to read the water, the winds, even the leaves on the trees was an eye-opening experience for me. No ATC influence or attempt to make your decision for you. It’s all on you.

Vern joked that you get a mountain flying course embedded into your float course for no extra charge. He was right about that. The location there at Moose Pass was perfect for this. My check ride proved this to me.