Seaplanes and Pilots

The FAA publishes Airline Transport Pilot and Type Rating for Airplane: Airman Certification Standards (ACS) (FAASACS11) – 2019 to communicate aeronautical knowledge, risk management, and flight proficiency standards for airline transport pilot certification (ATP) and type rating certification. The ACS includes the totality of airman certification. ACS is the guidance instructors follow to ensure their curriculum meets FAA expectations and their students are prepared for practical tests. ACS also helps to ensure private sector-Designated Pilot Examiners and government FAA inspectors test for the knowledge, skills, and judgment standards the FAA desires on the practical test. The ACS is part of the safety management system framework the FAA uses to mitigate risks associated with airman certification training and testing, and includes the following functional components:
 

• Safety Policy that defines and describes aeronautical knowledge, flight proficiency, and risk management as integrated components of the ACS;

 

• Safety Risk Management processes through which internal and external stake holders identify and evaluate regulatory changes, safety recommendations, or other factors that require modification of airman testing and training materials;
   

• Safety Assurance processes to ensure the prompt and appropriate incorporation of changes arising from new regulations and safety recommendations; and

 

• Safety Promotion in the form of ongoing engagement with both external stake holders (e.g., the aviation training industry) and FAA policy division.

 

The standards include Preflight Preparation for different types of certifications, including “Water and Seaplane Characteristics, Seaplane Bases, Maritime Rules, and Aids to Marine Navigation” (ASES, AMES). Within the ACS for seaplane rating, the objective of Preflight Preparation is to determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with water and seaplane characteristics, seaplane bases, maritime rules, and aids to marine navigation (References 14 CFR part 61; FAAH80832, FAA H80833, FAAH808323; USCG Navigation Rules, International Inland; POH/AFM; Chart Supplements; AIM).
 

• Individuals obtain an airman certificate based on the category and/or class aircraft appropriate to the task, e.g., ASES (Airplane: Single Engine Sea) and AMES (Airplane: Multi Engine Sea). To become a seaplane pilot, an individual earns an SES or MES rating on their airman’s certificate or earns a sea plane endorsement in his/her Sport Pilot logbook if flying a sport pilot or light sport aircraft.
   

• FAAH80833C is the Airplane Flying Handbook produced by the FAA. The most recent version of the handbook is 2021 (the earlier version, 3B, was produced in 2016). The handbook, developed by the Flight Standards Service, Airman Testing Standards Branch, and aviation educators and industry, provides basic knowledge that is essential for pilots. Updates to the manual include information such as new graphics, new or modifications to existing programs, and safety procedures. Practical tests for FAA pilot certificates and associated ratings are administered by FAA inspectors and Designated Pilot Examiners (DPE) using FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS), which contain structured areas of operation, tasks, and standards. Practical test consists of the tasks specified in the areas of operation for the airman certificate or rating sought. To pass the test, the applicant demonstrates mastery of the aircraft performing each task successfully, with proficiency and competency, and within the approved standards, and sound judgment (FAA 2021). The pilot must “exhibit knowledge of the elements related to preflight inspection, including which items must be inspected, the reasons for checking them, and how to detect possible defects; inspect the airplane with reference to an appropriate checklist, and verify the airplane is in safe condition for flight.”
   

• FAAH808323 is the Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski Equipped  Helicopter Operations Handbook. This handbook introduces the basic skills necessary for piloting seaplanes, skiplanes, and helicopters equipped with floats or skis. It was developed by the Flight Standards Service, Airman Testing Standards Branch, and various aviation educators and industry. The handbook assists pilots that hold private or commercial certificates and seek to learn how to fly seaplanes, skiplanes or helicopters equipped for water or ski operations. Chapter 4 provides information on seaplane preflight and takeoff procedures. Page 42 of the handbook instructs pilots to, “Remove any water weeds or other debris lodged in the water rudder assembly.” “Noting their position before landing can prevent fouling the water rudders with weeds while taxiing or puncturing a float on a submerged snag.”

 

• FAAH808325C is the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge updated in 2023 (earlier version was 2016). The handbook provides basic knowledge essential for pilots and is used for both beginning pilots and those seeking advanced pilot certificates, and was produced by the FAA with the assistance of the Safety Research Corporation of America.