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The first step towards your SES rating is becoming a certified and proficient single-engine land pilot, the Single Engine Sea (SES) rating brings a few additional hours of training and of course a check ride. The majority of the training revolves around the handling of the aircraft in the water, docking, securing, and reading the water.
Taxiing
Ok try this, taxi around the ramp with no brakes....Well A seaplane is always doing something, up down, left right and guess what? No brakes!! From start to stop, including the run-up everything is done in motion. Submerged stumps, snags, floating debris, swimmers... the pilot must be able to handle all of these obstacles, and at various speeds. Takeoff and Landing The up and down of seaplanes is unlike anything you've previously experienced. Water conditions can dictate depth perception, drag, and safety. Rough water can cause expedited departures and even calm water can cause problems with depth perception on approach. Of course with the landing area normally quite a bit larger than normal, wind gusts and cross wind approaches and landings are usually not required. Flight Time Once airborne float and seaplanes handling fundamentals are basically the same as any other aircraft. Speed (because of those big floats hanging off the aircraft) and some small yaw instability both due to increased drag are the primary differences. Parking Ok maybe not parking, how about docking? Yes you'll be floating so when it's time to stop you'll be docking, ramping or possibly mooring. This is the the time that a seaplane or floatplane pilot can show off his skills. Wind, current, water conditions, obstacles, momentum, and yes maybe the crowd of onlookers all require the seaplane pilot to have precise control and a deft touch.
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