anybody done the float training in Ontario

how many hours for the initial endorsement, anybody attend the 50 hours training? is that worth it for 50h training, its almost double cost than instructor rating. if taking it as stepstone for low hour pilot job

The 15, 25 and 50 hour courses are for insurance and employer purposes. Try and get "reasonable" insurance with the bare minimum float hours. Think any company is going to put a low time CPL in a float plane? 7 hours total, 5 hours dual and 5 takeoffs and landings solo are the minimum requirement. Like your license, it may take more hours than that to get signed off.

does the seaplane pilot all get first 50 or more hours by themselves before hired ? it is expensive.

aemgh18e wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2026 3:04 pm does the seaplane pilot all get first 50 or more hours by themselves before hired ? it is expensive.

Yes. I never wanted to go commercial though, I needed the hours for reasonable insurance.

I did my 7 hours at Air Hart in Kelowna (2010)
Rented from Orillia Sea Planes in the Muskokas in Ontario, and from the flight school in Gimli, Manitoba.

There are relatively few schools or operators who rent floats. All require check-outs and personal interactions and trust.
All of the information above is from ~15 years ago

YMMV
CLF

Have you guys done or heard about the float program at Maple Wings Flight Centre -
https://www.maplewingsflight.ca/courses/floatcpl/

is Maple wing school combine the CPL and float together? It seems you could take advantage of the combined course. I guess you still need a Landplane CPL.

Hey yes Maple Wings Flight Centre combines the float and CPL together. If you are interested in the course, you can contact them through their website.

aemgh18e wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2026 3:04 pm does the seaplane pilot all get first 50 or more hours by themselves before hired ? it is expensive.

It might be common but is not a hard requirement. It really depends on the company and your other experience. Insurance rates and requirements can change every year.

There's also no job guarantee after you get your 50 hours.

digits_ wrote: ↑Mon Jun 29, 2026 1:47 pm

aemgh18e wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2026 3:04 pm does the seaplane pilot all get first 50 or more hours by themselves before hired ? it is expensive.

It might be common but is not a hard requirement. It really depends on the company and your other experience. Insurance rates and requirements can change every year.

There's also no job guarantee after you get your 50 hours.

This industry feels like such a scam, I know there's no guarantee in a lot of jobs, but having to pay for all your own training is pretty rare in most professional fields.

lostav8r wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2026 8:17 pm

digits_ wrote: ↑Mon Jun 29, 2026 1:47 pm

aemgh18e wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2026 3:04 pm does the seaplane pilot all get first 50 or more hours by themselves before hired ? it is expensive.

It might be common but is not a hard requirement. It really depends on the company and your other experience. Insurance rates and requirements can change every year.

There's also no job guarantee after you get your 50 hours.

This industry feels like such a scam, I know there's no guarantee in a lot of jobs, but having to pay for all your own training is pretty rare in most professional fields.

I understand the sentiment. It's mainly your fellow pilots that are creating this particular situation though. If nobody shows up with 50 hours, those requirements will suddenly disappear...