Seaplane Facts

Similar to boats, seaplanes have retractable water rudders which are used at slow speeds on the water.

Conventional aviation fuels have both CO2 & lead emissions. Our highly efficient Pratt & Whitney turbine engines utilize highly refined kerosene as fuel which is up to 90% more efficient than conventional piston engines. Turbine engines emit zero lead into the environment unlike conventional aircraft.

Once the seaplane operates on water, whether powered or not, it is required to comply with all relevant maritime and water navigation laws and policies - just like boats.

As a pilot, in order to be allowed to fly a seaplane, you need to obtain a seaplane rating, for which you receive ground and flight training and pass a class rating theoretical and practical test.

The Cessna Caravan Amphibian was first approved by the FAA, and equipped with Wipaire floats, in March 1986.

There are 4 different ways to offload passengers once a seaplane gets to the destination. 1. By docking, this method ensures a safe and stable transfer of passengers directly to the ground. 2. Mooring & boat transfer is a combination of two methods where the plane is anchored in the sea and the passengers are picked up by boat. This method is used when there is not enough water depth. 3. Floating platform: this type of platform rises and falls along with waves and tides. It is similar to docking. Another easy way to transport passengers. The platform will be carefully designed for the stability and safety of the people on it. 4. Last but not least, beaching is one of the easiest methods, but must be carried out carefully as it might conflict with others such as swimmers. It also depends on the firmness on the shoreline.

The maximum take-off weight of the Caravan EX Amphibian is 4,110 kg, including a maximum payload of 1,400 kg enabling us to fit both our guests and their luggage.

The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is less noisy than a typical speedboat.

In the 1930s, flying boats were used for air travel between the United States and Europe, including routes to South America, Africa and others.

The Cessna Caravan can be reconfigured within minutes for VIP, medical evacuations or cargo operations.

The maximum cruise speed on the Caravan EX Amphibian is 164 kts (or just over 300 km/h)

There are as many as 114 seaplane bases in Alaska. Lake Hood in Anchorage is the world's largest and busiest seaplane base: in 2015 it accommodated an average of 197 daily takeoffs and landings, with nearly 600 on peak summer days.