The book is full of hard-won knowledge that any seaplane pilot,
novice or veteran, can learn from. I wish I had this book back when I
was learning to fly seaplanes. —from the new Foreword to the Second Edition.
Notes of a Seaplane Instructor
is a distillation of all the tips, techniques and procedures of a
veteran flyer and teacher, in an accessible and informative format.
Author Burke Mees has an affinity for the "feel of the floats on the
water" and how to communicate it in writing, as well as a sensible,
professional approach which lends a truly "one-on-one" aspect to reading
his book.
All the seaplane maneuvers are covered, starting with
preflight, proceeding through taxiing, takeoff, landing, and postflight
procedures; also operating in various water conditions, stability of the
aircraft on the water, step-taxi and -turn, and much more. Many
illustrations, taken from and inspired by the author's own original
flight instruction notebook sketches, help to further explain the
concepts. In this new second edition, Burke provides even more notes on
technique and performance particular to the world of floatplanes, with a
special emphasis on safety and the best kind of pilot decision-making
processes that keep seaplanes flying. The Second Edition also features
an added chapter on multi-engine seaplane flying, and an appendix with
notes on "pumping the floats" and "ropes and splicing."
What is it
like to fly single-engine float planes? How do pilots develop and then
hone their water-flying skills? What techniques apply to both landplanes
and seaplanes, and which ones belong in only one realm? The answers to
these questions comprise a unique approach to seaplane flying, in a book
that reveals what floatplane mastery is really all about. Notes of a
Seaplane Instructor offers insights to all pilots, from already-rated
seaplane pilots to those looking to experience the benefits and
pleasures of seaplane flying for the first time.
In these pages, readers will learn:
How seaplane preflight inspections differ from those in landplanes
Normal, glassy and rough-water takeoff techniques
Flight characteristics of seaplanes
Seaplane landing skills, in a wide variety of water conditions
Water handling and sailing techniques
Advanced
operations, including density altitude, weight-and-balance, and
performance considerations particular to seaplanes, along with examples
of restricted terrain operations
Details on operating amphibious floatplanes, with explanations of both the benefits and drawbacks.
Multiengine seaplane operations
Pumping the floats
Ropes and splicing
Author
Burke Mees has many years’ experience with the demands and rewards of
float-flying and seaplane instruction. From the diverse environments of
flying seaplanes year-round in Alaska, to an extensive background of
seaplane instruction, Burke Mees has developed his talent for teaching
the transition from landplanes to seaplanes.
Author Burke Mees has many years’ experience with the demands and rewards of float-flying and seaplane instruction. From the diverse environments of flying seaplanes year-round in Alaska, to an extensive background of seaplane instruction, Burke Mees has developed his talent for teaching the transition from landplanes to seaplanes.
