Pilot Supplies & Gear > Training Materials & Resources > New: Sporty's Seaplane Rating Course with Patty Wagstaff

New: Sporty's Seaplane Rating Course with Patty Wagstaff

Skyfarer Academy and Sporty’s Pilot Shop have joined forces to promote quality flight instruction and pilot gear. 🔗 Learn more and buy here: https://sportys.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=143&url=719 - - - Sporty's Seaplane Rating course covers everything from floatplane basics, preflight and water taxiing to advanced landings and safety, all designed to prepare you for the FAA checkride and confident water operations. Accessible on any device with lifetime access, it’s ideal for aspiring seaplane pilots and those looking to refine their skills with expert instruction and breathtaking location videos. Boost your aviation skills and explore the freedom of water flying with this immersive seaplane course. [ Explore the magical world of water flying ] Flying a seaplane is like nothing else in aviation having the freedom to explore remote lakes, rivers or secluded bays opens up a whole new and exciting world of flying adventures for pilots. If you’ve been dreaming of flying seaplanes, this course will inspire you to get your rating and experience the joy of water flying. It covers everything you need to know to pass the checkride, and master the essential techniques you’ll need to operate smoothly and safely on the water. If you’re an active seaplane pilot, this course will motivate you to work on your craft and explore new flying adventures. You’ll find dozens of new and advanced techniques throughout the course that will make you a better seaplane pilot. If you have a seaplane rating but don’t use it, this course will give you the incentive to start using what you’ve already earned. It will remind you why you got your rating in the first place, and the benefits to be enjoyed with your seaplane rating. [ Breathtaking footage in beautiful locations ] Forget classroom theory. This course takes you on location to see seaplane flying for what it really is. You’ll travel to beautiful flying destinations in Florida, Maine, and Alaska to see advanced techniques and the unparalleled thrill of flying floats in some of the world’s most breathtaking settings. Stunning 4K video shows every maneuver from multiple angles, and detailed animations show what’s happening below the surface. We feature a wide variety of seaplanes in this course including a Piper Super Cub, Legend Cub, Super Petrel Light Sport, Cessna 172, Cessna 180, AirCam, de Havilland Beaver, Lake Buccaneer, Twin Bee, Turbine Super Goose and an Albatross. - [ Course Overview ] This course is available on all your devices, from laptop to iPhone to Android, and includes helpful training documents. 1. Introduction What it takes to earn a seaplane rating Seaplane flight schools Seaplane checkride expectations Differences when flying a Light Sport seaplane 2. Types of Seaplanes and Float Systems Floatplanes vs. Flying Boats What makes an amphibious seaplane unique Float construction and design features Differences in flying seaplanes vs. land planes 3. Preflight Preflighting a seaplane in the water and on land Amphibious seaplane preflight Enduring your floats are water-free Saltwater considerations 4. Taxiing Developing a taxi plan from parking to takeoff Idle, plow and step taxi techniques Plow taxi procedure to turn downwind Taxiing in strong winds 5. Taking Off Performing a run-up while moving on the water Getting up on the “step” and accelerating on the water Tips for a smooth liftoff from the water Avoiding and recovering from porpoising 6. Landing Determining wind direction with visual cues Assessing the suitability of lakes and rivers for landing Step-by-step procedure for normal landings Landing an amphibious seaplane on land 7. Securing Your Seaplane Planning a taxi route from landing to parking Properly docking your seaplane Beaching, ramping, mooring and anchoring techniques Sailing your seaplane downwind 8. Advanced Operations Glassy water takeoffs and landings Rough water operations Flying to and from rivers Confined area techniques 9. Seaplane Safety Giving a proper passenger briefing Onboard safety and survival gear Personal Flotation Device (PFD) guidance Underwater egress procedures Bonus: 8 hours of stunning seaplane videos shot with 360 cameras de Havilland Beaver flying in Alaska Aircam glassy water ops in Alaska Cessna 180 mountain adventure in Alaska Turbine Super Goose in Alaska Twin Bee in Alaska de Havilland Beaver flying in Florida Grumman Albatross in Wisconsin

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Featured Video

Additional Notes

[ Your host, Patty Wagstaff ] Your host for this course is legendary pilot and instructor Patty Wagstaff. You know her as one of the world’s greatest aerobatic pilots, but she’s also a highly experienced seaplane pilot, having decades of experience as a bush pilot flying all over the world. Throughout this course, Patty shares her practical tips for safer and smoother seaplane flying, learned through decades of flying in some of the world’s most extreme conditions. - Frequently Asked Questions Q: How do I access this course? A: Your training is available with your Sporty's account in our Pilot Training app and online portal. You can watch it on any computer, tablet or phone as well as our iOS, Android and TV Apps. Q: Will my online access to the program ever expire? A: No. Once you register your login credentials, they never expire. You will always have access to the program. Q: Can I access the videos from more than one computer or device? A: Yes with your login info, you can access the site from any device as often as you want for personal use.

Reviews (0)

Reviews of Sporty's Pilot Shop from their other listings (5)

5 · 5 reviews across all of Sporty's Pilot Shop's listings

  • TD

    My CFII said this was a great review for the knowledge and check ride. This is a lifetime course so having this as a tool for review in the future makes this a better choice than a traditional ground school.

    Terry DApril 2026

  • TD

    I really like it the learn to fly ground school from Sporty's. If I don't feel comfortable with a section I am able to go back and watch it again. The review scrambles the questions so they don't appear in the same order when taking it a second time. I wish in the other document recommendations area it would provided you the text from those areas suggested instead of me having to go to by books. I would be willing to pay more to have it all in one place.

    Terry DApril 2026

  • TD

    The best IPC refresher I have worked through. The amount of material covered and resources within the course are top notch. With 51 years behind me as a pro pilot & CFII, ASEL & AMEL, I heartly recommend this course!

    Terry DApril 2026

  • TD

    A very solid course. The G1000 was my first flying experience with a "glass cockpit" and I was concerned about the learning curve during the transition. I was also going through my IPC so it was double pressure. The course did a very good job of introducing me to the concepts of the G1000, what functionality it had and, most importantly, the best workflows for everyday functions and events. Highly recommended.

    Terry DApril 2026

  • TD

    Very helpful. To be able to pause it for review and then listen to ATC dialogue on the internet as well as direct question to the folks at Sporty's Pilot Shop brought it full circle. Worth the investment!

    Terry DApril 2026

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