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 decisionmaking 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.

This operational handbook introduces the basic skills necessary for piloting seaplanes, skiplanes, and helicopters equipped with floats or skis. It is primarily intended to assist pilots who already hold private or commercial certificates and who are learning to fly these aircraft types. It is also beneficial to rated seaplane pilots who wish to improve their proficiency, pilots preparing for flights using ski-equipped aircraft, and flight instructors engaged in the instruction of both students and transitioning pilots. The book introduces the future seaplane or skiplane pilot to the realm of water operations and cold weather operations, and provides information on the performance of procedures required for the addition of a sea class rating in airplanes. Previously published in the Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3), this information has since been removed from that text. The Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook features full-color illustrations and photographs throughout, as well as straightforward discussions and explanations for: Rules, regulations and aids for navigation Principles of seaplanes Water characteristics and seaplane base operations Seaplane operations (preflight, takeoffs, landings) Performance Skiplane operations Emergency open sea operations Float and ski equipped helicopters