Calgary flying club float training.

[Beefitarian]

I just noticed they have a 172 on floats. Not my kind of thing but, I certainly find it interesting. Anyone know things about it. Mostly I wonder where they are landing?

Must be amphibious I think. Does not look like it.

They used to post prices on the Internet. I don't blame them for not yet I wish they still did. Mostly being nosey.

[Shiny Side Up]

They've had it since last year, but as I recall, they were looking for a qualified instructor then, so hopefully they found someone.

[BeaverDreamer]

They've had it since last year, but as I recall, they were looking for a qualified instructor then, so hopefully they found someone.

Must be tough finding someone qualified to land a floatplane on pavement

[Cessna driver]

They have 2 instructors from what i hear, i flew it the other day, its....slow haha

[PilotDAR]

its....slow haha

It's still faster than trying to take off a wheel plane after landing it in the water!

[JMACK]

172XP Amphib, ask for Sean when you call the club! I think Ghoast Lake is the plan.

Jim

[iflyforpie]

Man, the XP on straight floats was a dog on Okanagan Lake at 1100 feet. That must be the fastest boat on Ghost Lake in the summer!

[LousyFisherman]

I flew it about 10 days ago, not that I'm any kind of expert, it's a 210HP 172XP amphib.
Flies very similar to the dreaded 150 Lands very differently
Density altitude limited.

Lots of fun though, and it is the only option for float training in the area Since I believe under-powered machines are the best training planes as they force you to use good energy management techniques, I am happy to have access to it.

$235/hour + $65 for the instructor if I recall correctly

YMMV
LF

[Taiser]

$235/hour + $65 for the instructor if I recall correctly

Is that pretty much a standard flying club rate now?

I got my float endorsement at $200/hr wet including the instructor. Maybe I lucked out... mind you that was on a PA-11 though...

[Shiny Side Up]

$235/hour + $65 for the instructor if I recall correctly

Is that pretty much a standard flying club rate now?

I got my float endorsement at $200/hr wet including the instructor. Maybe I lucked out... mind you that was on a PA-11 though...

When I got mine it was $95/hr dual and that was on a C-180. Times change. I used to buy gas for my car at $0.35/l too then, so some simple arithmetic means he's probably on the mark.

[Taiser]

Yeah but I got mine last fall!!!

[LousyFisherman]

2013, Air Hart, Kelowna, BC $295/hour for a C180, $45 for instructor
2014, Interlake Aviation, Gimli, MB, $195/hour for a C172, $40 for instructor

Interesting that the least experienced instructor is the most expensive. Welcome to Calgary!

YMMV
LF

[Lurch]

2013, Air Hart, Kelowna, BC $295/hour for a C180, $45 for instructor
2014, Interlake Aviation, Gimli, MB, $195/hour for a C172, $40 for instructor

Interesting that the least experienced instructor is the most expensive. Welcome to Calgary!

YMMV
LF

What makes you say the CFC has the least experienced instructor?

You obviously know the qualifications of all the instructors at all three schools.

[LousyFisherman]

What makes you say the CFC has the least experienced instructor?
You obviously know the qualifications of all the instructors at all three schools.

Experience is determined by hours flown, years flown, and the number of unique situations a pilot has been in, is it not? I have flown and talked with 5 of the 7 pilots who work/worked at the 3 schools in question. Based on what I witnessed, learned and heard I made the above judgement.

I am often wrong with my judgements, however, in this case, I think if you were to do a little research you might find yourself in agreement. Or not, despite the differences in hours being an order of magnitude larger.

YMMV
LF

[ThatArmyGuy]

I flew it about 10 days ago

Do you know off hand if they allow for true solo time for the rating or is it merely "solo" time with the instructor there for insurance?

[Jim Guenther]

Hello All,

We are pleased to offer Sea Plane ratings in a C-185. Our training is conducted and overseen by experienced bush pilots in real conditions - Otter Lake, SK. Check out our website for costs and information on all our courses!

The solo time required is actual solo time, without the instructor!

http://flymitchinson.com/student-info/l ... ane-rating


Jim Guenther
Mitchinson Flight Centre
Saskatoon, SK

[digits_]

I flew it about 10 days ago

Do you know off hand if they allow for true solo time for the rating or is it merely "solo" time with the instructor there for insurance?

I kind of lost track of which school this question is directed to, but Interlake Aviation mentioned above does allow the solo time to be real solo time. Plane can be rented solo after 5 extra dual hours after the float rating.

[iflyforpie]

You have to have solo time. The CARs are very specific that the five takeoffs and landings must be done with the student as the sole occupant of the aircraft.

[ThatArmyGuy]

You have to have solo time. The CARs are very specific that the five takeoffs and landings must be done with the student as the sole occupant of the aircraft.

We all know what the CARs say vs what actually happens lol

[iflyforpie]

I'm saying it for the benefit of prospective students so they can tell the operator to pound sand if they are too cheap or their training so lacklustre that they cannot solo the aircraft. The student shouldn't be risking the validity of their rating.

[Taiser]

I agree! I was allowed to SOLO with the floats and the pucker factor is high when your on your own. Doing it yourself is a HUGE confidence builder as well!

[awitzke]

$235/hour + $65 for the instructor if I recall correctly

Is that pretty much a standard flying club rate now?

I got my float endorsement at $200/hr wet including the instructor. Maybe I lucked out... mind you that was on a PA-11 though...

$280 in Vancouver at Ft. Langley Air for the 180 + a ridiculous fuel surcharge. So yeah, that's actually pretty standard. $235 solo though, which wasn't terrible.

The 180 chugs though so I'd usually end up paying the equivalent of $380/hr after the surcharge and tax.

[Blowin' In The Wind]

All the float training at the club is done per the CARs. There will be no instructor on board during the solo. If you're not ready to handle the solo flight, then there will be no soloing.

[trey kule]

We all know what the CARs say vs what actually happens lol

Really? We all know that?

A bit more to it than just a CARs requirement.

Share with us who is parker penning solo time....I am sure there are a few TC types that read these threads and would like to know.

Nothing like hiring a pilot with false entries in their logbook. Makes you wonder how they will log times with your company...and whether they can even fly a sea plane by their self.

Maybe thats why a modern day seven hour float rating is not suitable to get a pilot hired.,

[Shiny Side Up]

Really? We all know that?

Share with us who is parker penning solo time....I am sure there are a few TC types that read these threads and would like to know.

First, naming names would just get the thread deleted, so I would be pointless. Second, TC doesn't do squat about these people anyways. The last person I knew, who flat out forged a pilot license, showed up back at a school to try again. No fines, no banned from aviation for life, just "bad boy, go back to flight school" incidentally, that guy was caught while trying to get an airline job.

When it comes to fly alongs on first solos, i know of at least two schools that were doing it since former instructors of those schools had told me they engaged I it. Also common were "supervised solo" cross country trips - which are far more widespread. Probably half of the people i've run into with fresh seaplane ratings have mentioned this practice. Its so widespread its not even funny, and given how much of it happens TC is either grossly incompetent in looking supervising schools on these matters, turns a blind eye to it, or i suspect that there's the odd inspector who sees this as an acceptable interpretation of said CAR.

Nothing like hiring a pilot with false entries in their logbook. Makes you wonder how they will log times with your company...and whether they can even fly a sea plane by their self.

Sadly the problem is of epedemic proportions. But in some ways, I just seems like no one cares. I see pilots everyday get hired who suck at flying, and many who've been turfed from other operations. Shit, i know one guy who's recently been hired for his fourth time as CFI at as many schools, the previous three were all shut down. Figure that out. You and i are both familiar with his handiwork.