Float Rating in Florida

[N787RR]

All,

Would anyone be kind enough to share their thoughts/opinions on the "best" place to do the single-engine seaplane rating in Florida please? I know that there are a handful of places around central Florida, but recommendations/thoughts/opinions from experience would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
fbw380

[RKittine]

Most poeple seem to like Jack Brown's, but I have not done any Florida float plane flying since 1968 and that was in Melbourne, so there should be a lot of peple posting suggestions here. ee watching.

Bob

[jjbaker]

Jones Brothers Seaplanes in Tavares:



Syllabus for the C180 in use: http://www.jonesairandsea.com/index.php ... &Itemid=73

JB.seaplanes@gmail.com - Please let them know that seaplaneforum.com referred you...

http://www.flyfloatplanes.com/ Richard Hensch - Spoke with him a few years ago, very nice person and lots of experience.

[N787RR]

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.

Anyone willing to pass-on first-hand experience of completing the float rating in Florida, please do share!

[RKittine]

At Jones you will train for the SES Rating in a Side By Side Cessna 180, while at Browns, you will be in a Tandem Seating J-3. Both put out a lot of seaplane pilots.

If you live in Florida, there is a company out of Wiconsin that has seaplanes that they both train pilots in, but also are willing to rent solo, with a reasonable about of dual time in make and model and an insurance option. They also operate in Florida. One way to both get the rating and build time as there are not many places that rent solo. There are:

http://www.adventureseaplanes.com/

I have seen ads for reduced rate cross country time, twice a year when they move some of the equipment back and forth between their two locations, which is a way to gain the required make and model time at a reduced rate.

Bob

[jjbaker]

Brian Schanche - mentioned above operates in Minnesota and Florida, I believe on Lake Pierce.
He can be found here by Username "185Bushbird"

JJ

[TriPacer]

If you live in Florida, there is a company out of Wiconsin...

Contrary to the belief of many right and left coasters, Wisconsin and Minnesota are not the same state!

I trained with Brian and one of his instructors - it was a great time and great instruction, though I planned poorly and didn't finish before it got too cold. Brian is the only one I know of that will rent solo. I will definitely go back and finish up when I get around to it. I'd imagine the training is just as good in FL at Cherry Pocket.

[RKittine]

OPs, Sorry about that - All you Mid-Westerner's look the same to us here in New York. Minnesota, Wisconsin ....... I think I have the Florida side of it correct though!

They also used to have a fabric tail dragger on wheels for part of the year doing tailwheel endorsements I believe and then also on floats and available for rent at a lower rate per hour, but I no longer see it listed on the web site.

[TriPacer]

I know he's been selling off a bit of the fleet. Maybe that was one of them.

[RKittine]

With the amount of interest in LSA these days, that is one of the reasons I want to get anouther LSA back on Floats.

[gear]

I was trained by Brian (adventure seaplanes) in cherry pocket. It was a great experience. They had a trailer for me to stay in and I really enjoyed it. Brian knows his stuff and has a lot of experience. I would definitely recommend

Garth

[jb@spb]

My name is Rob Galloway (the new manager at Jones Brothers). We would love to be of any help that we can for your SES rating. We are located in Tavares, America's Seaplane City. We can do training in a 180 or JA12. Let me know how I can help.
Thanks - Rob

[Tim McCormack]

Rob, welcome aboard. One thing you can do to help is keep posting on our forum. We need input from guys like you who see a lot of stuff that the rest of us never get a chance to experience.

Fill us in on Tavares and your business. There are a LOT of people we never even hear from that could be a big benefit to all of us. Please join in.

I'm going to make it a priority to come to Travares while I'm in Venice for the winter this year. I haven't been there since the year before it actually got fully renovated. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

[skimmerone]

Tavares is one of the nicer areas in Florida. Close to suburbia, but very laid back. Old town that has been rejuvenated but not spoiled. We stopped last April after our Lake convention and stayed overnight. Delicious meal at the Restaurant overlooking the Lake and the SPB. Highly recommend a visit.

[N787RR]

Everyone - thanks very much for all the info, much appreciated.

It does seem like there are a handful of great places to go, which makes for a difficult decision!

Thanks again all.

[jb@spb]

You guys definitely need to make a visit to Tavares. I just moved here and am amazed at what they are doing to promote seaplane flying and their downtown. This place is really growing, but in a beautiful way that keeps the small town, downtown feeling and preserves the waterfront. It's a great little place to be!!!

[0522]

Received my seaplane rating at "Jack Brown's" from son of Jack, Jon, in May 2010. They are located in Winter Haven, Fl. Professional, family owned and operated business. During the day and a half course I completed 67 water take offs and landings and have never had so much fun. I can't say enough good things about my time at Brown's Seaplane Base. My instructor, Morgan, has unfortunately moved on but while I was there several former instructors stopped by just to say hello to Mr. And Mrs. Brown. They are rock solid people operating a rock solid business. I hope you have a super time! Mike Brown, Chattanooga, TN. I have no affiliation with "Jack Brown Seaplane Base" other than our last names are the same.

[americanflyyer]

Comes probably a bit late but anyways.

I got my SES at Brown's in November 2010. I had a great time flying the Cub and got a lot of water take offs and landings in. Even though the weather wasn't that nice for most of the time I completed the training within two days. I was very pleased with my instructor, Morgan, and we had a great time hopping lakes. The exam was conducted by Jon Brown, son of the business founder Jack (I did my MES check ride with him, too, btw).

[wardamneagle]

I got my rating in 2011 at Brown's. I loved it so much I went on to instruct there for a year and a half. They are awesome people.

There are many others that are also awesome in the area. Jones Brothers and Adventure Seaplanes come to mine. I'm a little partial to Brown's and the cubs though

[skimmerone]

Does anyone know of an experienced Thurston Teal instructor in eastern Massachusetts? Not for skimmerone.......