Float Training

Whether you are interested in a seaplane rating for fun or are career oriented, Georgian Bay Airways welcomes PPL or CPL holders to work on their float training needs. As Canada’s largest Float Training Unit, Georgian Bay Airways takes pride in delivering comprehensive programs in a friendly, professional manner, with instructors who have actual seaplane charter experience.

Parry Sound and Georgian Bay are the ideal areas to train for your seaplane endorsement. You’ll see all there is to float flying, including big water, small lakes and rivers and big Harbours like Toronto. Parry Sound is a full service tourist community, and an ideal place to add a seaplane rating to your vacation.

Our Seaplane Training options are: Basic Float (or seaplane) Endorsement & Advanced Seaplane Training

BASIC FLOAT (seaplane) ENDORSEMENT

The seaplane endorsement is the perfect way to wet your toes and discover the pleasure of float flying. We will introduce you to the basics of floatplane operation, including aircraft handling in flight, on the water and at the dock.

All of our flight training is conducted in a Cessna 180 (constant speed propeller). Basic seaplane endorsements are always taken on by our senior flight crew, so you can be assured that you will have all the bases covered when you are signed off by the Chief Pilot.

The basic seaplane endorsement is a minimum of 7 hours flight time, including 5 take-offs and landings as sole occupant. Depending on the individual pilot, your seaplane rating can be completed in 2 or 3 days.

FLOAT PLANE ENDORSEMENT

Floatplane rating package are:
Cessna 180: $3,270 + HST
The floatplane rating package includes:

6 hours of dual flight instruction
1 hour of solo circuits
ALL ground training, starting with a 2 hr ground school
The book “How to Fly Floats” by JJ Frey
Additional hours for the C180 are $475 + HST.

Career Bush Pilot Program

The Career Bush Pilot Program is geared towards pilots entering the industry, or those who want a complete understanding of float flying.

We have many advanced float training options, ranging from a few hours of extra float flying to add to your skills after completion of the seaplane endorsement, to our packaged 25, and 50 hour Career Bush Pilot Programs.

We pride ourselves on offering seaplane training to our clients that is second to none. Graduates leave our facility feeling confident in their newly acquired seaplane skills, but also aware that there is still much to learn, that can only be acquired by personal experience.

Our most popular advanced training is our 50 hour Career Bush Pilot Program. Our program is a dual flight instruction program, focused on continuous training throughout the session.

25 HOUR PROGRAM

The 25 hr Career Bush Pilot Program cost are:
Cessna 180: $10,496 + HST.
These packages includes:

24 hours of dual flight instruction
1 hour of solo circuits
ALL ground training
The book “How to Fly Floats” by JJ Frey
Additional hours for the C180 are $475 + HST.

50 HOUR PROGRAM

The 50 hr Career Bush Pilot Program cost are:
Cessna 180: $20,043 + HST.
These packages includes:

49 hours of dual flight instruction
1 hour of solo circuits
ALL ground training
The book “How to Fly Floats” by JJ Frey
Additional hours for the C180 are $475 + HST.

TRAINING FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS

To obtain a Float Endorsement (Seaplane Rating) on your foreign pilot’s licence you are required to have either a “Foreign Licence Validation Certificate” or a Canadian Private Pilot Licence that is issued on the “Basis of your foreign Private Pilot Licence”, as issued from Transport Canada. Georgian Bay Airways can help you obtain the FLVC document to conduct your training with us. This does not allow you to work as a pilot in Canada. Once you have completed training with GBA, will will provide you with copies of the documents you need to take to your Aviation Authority to have the Seaplane Rating added to your existing licence. We advise that you contact your Aviation Authority in advance to find out their regulations on Seaplane Ratings, as some countries do not issue/recognize a seaplane rating.

Recreational Flying in Canada: Foreign Licence Validation Certificate (FLVC)

A foreign pilot licence of a visitor whose residence is outside Canada may be validated for private recreational purposes. The foreign pilot licence must be valid under the law of the issuing state and valid for the privileges appropriate to the specific purpose.

An applicant may apply for a Foreign licence Validation Certificate (FLVC) before arriving in Canada. The FLVC will be issued for a period of one year at which time the applicant may choose to renew it, or apply for a permanent Canadian Pilot Licence.

The applicant may fax a copy of their pilot licence and their valid Medical Certificate to one of Transport Canada’s Regional offices. Completed applications and other documents can be emailed to: tc.aviationservicesont-servicesaviationont.tc@tc.gc.ca

There is a licensing fee of $45 Cdn. applicable that may be paid by a certified cheque, money order or credit card number, (the cheque should be made payable to (“The Receiver General for Canada”).

For more information on the FLVC, please visit this link on Transport Canada’s website.

Canadian Private Pilot Licence that is issued on the “Basis of your foreign Private Pilot Licence”

Obtaining a Canadian Licence requires a more in-depth process.

The following was provided to us by Transport Canada:

To obtain a Canadian Private Pilot Licence that is “Issued on the basis” applicants are required to obtain a Canadian medical certificate, are not required to complete a flight test or the main (PPAER) written examination if they hold a foreign PPL(A), have the 45 hours flight experience. The foreign pilot must provide proof of experience and have completed 5 take-offs and landings within 6 months of application. Pilots also have to complete a multiple choice written examination covering Air Law items, which can be administered by the Flight Training School. – Please note, Georgian Bay Airways does not administer this exam, this must be completed at a Flight Training Unit. Near North Aviation is at the Parry Sound Airport, and can help you with this.

Canadian Aviation Regulation (CARs) 421.26 paragraph (8) outlines the licensing requirements for issue of a PPL(A) Issued on the basis of a Foreign Licence: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/regserv/cars/part4-standards-421-1086.htm#421_26

To locate a Designated Canadian Aviation Medical Examiner please see the following Transport Canada website link: http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/saf-sec-sur/2/came-meac/l.aspx?lang=eng

PSTAR (Air Law) Sample Examination: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/publications/tp11919-menu-1135.htm

A link to an application form for a Canadian Private Pilot Licence: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/opssvs/general-personnel-apps-1820.htm

You should also make application to the closest Transport Canada Regional office closest to your area where you will complete your Seaplane training. The following website will provide you with contact information on our Regional Offices: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/opssvs/general-personnel-licensing-1804.htm

For more information on Flight Crew Licensing please see the following website link: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/opssvs/general-personnel-menu-1799.htm

Should further information be required please contact Transport Canada, General Aviation, Personnel Licensing at (613) 990-1056, Fax (613) 990-6215.