CPL training on floats
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CPL training on floats
Is it a good idea to get your CPL training on floats? If yes, what are the pros and cons?
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water wings
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IMHO, great idea. pros? more float time, quicker learning curve, i think the potential for better hands and feet than some land flyers (no offence intended)
Cons? still have to do your spin stuff on a land plane, not as much exposure to IFR traffic and towers etc... wait, put that in pros.
Put it this way: no one has ever asked me how much of my time is on wheels . good luck, fly fun!!
Cons? still have to do your spin stuff on a land plane, not as much exposure to IFR traffic and towers etc... wait, put that in pros.
Put it this way: no one has ever asked me how much of my time is on wheels . good luck, fly fun!!
If you've got the $$$, and you want to get a float job, go for it!
Suggestion: if you're going to do something this eccentric, may I suggest avoiding nosewheel airplanes when you do get your training on wheels? It will make you a much better stick & rudder pilot, which although is not very important for most pilots these days, might come in handy on floats.
When I start someone from zero hours, and they have potential to be a really good pilot, I keep them on tailwheel aircraft ONLY until well after solo, so that they build skills and habits that will last a lifetime.
Similarly, when I'm teaching someone to drive a car or truck, it's far better to start them on manual transmission.
It's easy to fly nosewheel if you've flown tailwheel, and it's easy to drive automatic if you know how to heel-and-toe downshift and double-clutch
Suggestion: if you're going to do something this eccentric, may I suggest avoiding nosewheel airplanes when you do get your training on wheels? It will make you a much better stick & rudder pilot, which although is not very important for most pilots these days, might come in handy on floats.
When I start someone from zero hours, and they have potential to be a really good pilot, I keep them on tailwheel aircraft ONLY until well after solo, so that they build skills and habits that will last a lifetime.
Similarly, when I'm teaching someone to drive a car or truck, it's far better to start them on manual transmission.
It's easy to fly nosewheel if you've flown tailwheel, and it's easy to drive automatic if you know how to heel-and-toe downshift and double-clutch
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. ._
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I wish I would have done my CPL on floats. Woulda shoulda coulda...
The only negative to doing the CPL on floats is that it's more expensive than on wheels. (on average, floatplanes are a bit more expensive to rent, but this depends on where you are, etc.)
BUT you have all of that float time which will open up many job opportunities that wouldn't be there if you had no float time.
Extra money WELL spent, IMHO.
Do it on floats!
-istp
The only negative to doing the CPL on floats is that it's more expensive than on wheels. (on average, floatplanes are a bit more expensive to rent, but this depends on where you are, etc.)
BUT you have all of that float time which will open up many job opportunities that wouldn't be there if you had no float time.
Extra money WELL spent, IMHO.
Do it on floats!
-istp
CPL on floats
If you have the funds, go for it! you'll probably have about 150h on floats and i've noticed the average of float time (well, between bc and ontario) is about 250 ft on c-180... If you can do it on a constant prop too, even better!
so you'd still be 100h short, but still you have better chances than a guy with 80...
You should get some time in controlled though, just to famil how it's done, but if you're not planning to fly controlled, well, good on ya!
so you'd still be 100h short, but still you have better chances than a guy with 80...
You should get some time in controlled though, just to famil how it's done, but if you're not planning to fly controlled, well, good on ya!
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Cat Driver
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cessnafloatflyer
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Or... try to get a really great deal on block time with a private guy who has a plane that needs hours. Work out a deal where you'll do the first bit, until he is comfortable with a float pilot that you both agree on, or a school that will give you a great wet rate.
Looking for 100 - 150 hours is appealing to the private and commercial guy with a bit of research and leg work.
Looking for 100 - 150 hours is appealing to the private and commercial guy with a bit of research and leg work.
