Steve Pemberton is an Aussie seaplane pilot with years of seaplane experience. Mostly flying and instructing on the Twin Otters in the Maldives, Steve has just recently been stood down from his airline job, only to return to the float world, taking up the chief pilot position at the struggling Air Whitsunday. 

After the company was recently purchased by GSL Aviation owner Trent Brown, Steve’s goals include resurrecting the operation that was once the pinnacle of seaplane flying in Australia.

Link to Steve’s training company PASS

https://passaviationtraining.com

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Seaplane Pilots Association:

On the Step is proudly sponsored by the Seaplane Pilots Association. Join today to support the association that is built to support their community. Membership benefits include:

• Nationwide Advocacy
• Protection of Seaplane access to waterways
• Water Flying Magazine
• The Water Landing Directory app
• The Seaplane Flight Training Directory
• Events and Splash-Ins
• Safety Seminars
• Scholarship programs for Seaplane Training
• Discounted Seaplane Insurance Programs
• Numerous other members only benefits

JOIN NOW!

https://seaplanepilotsassociation.wufoo.com/forms/z1nfgg7k09exqp0/

Building up tens of thousands of hours spraying fields in New South Wales Australia, Craig Patton has done most things as an agricultural pilot. After 20 years, Craig wanted to turn his skills into those of a fire bombing pilot, and now spends his days travelling between Australia and America to fight the worlds harshest fires on the Air Tractor FireBoss!

Seaplane News: 3:06

Interview: 10:00

Support On the Step via Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/thatmallardguy

Follow me on Instagram! 

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Seaplane Pilots Association

On the Step is proudly sponsored by the Seaplane Pilots Association. Join today to support the association that is built to support their community. Membership benefits include:

• Nationwide Advocacy
• Protection of Seaplane access to waterways
• Water Flying Magazine
• The Water Landing Directory app
• The Seaplane Flight Training Directory
• Events and Splash-Ins
• Safety Seminars
• Scholarship programs for Seaplane Training
• Discounted Seaplane Insurance Programs
• Numerous other members only benefits

JOIN TODAY!

https://www.seaplanepilotsassociation.org/join-or-renew/the-seaplane-pilots-association/

Everyone loves seaplanes, but these aircraft that instagram user @cessnateur Jason McDowell has selected as his top 10 most unique seaplanes will blow you away! From nuclear bomb dropping jets, to 737 sized flying boats and single seat toys, the list has something for everyone. Jason has an incredible knowledge of aircraft and their history. He goes to incredible lengths to research and share these stories via his Instagram page and blog.

https://www.instagram.com/cessnateur/

Support On the Step via Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/thatmallardguy

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Sponsor Message:

On the Step is proudly sponsored by the Seaplane Pilots Association. Join today to support the association that is built to support their community. Membership benefits include:

• Nationwide Advocacy
• Protection of Seaplane access to waterways
• Water Flying Magazine
• The Water Landing Directory app
• The Seaplane Flight Training Directory
• Events and Splash-Ins
• Safety Seminars
• Scholarship programs for Seaplane Training
• Discounted Seaplane Insurance Programs
• Numerous other members only benefits

JOIN TODAY!

https://seaplanepilotsassociation.wufoo.com/forms/z1nfgg7k09exqp0/

Eder would sit in the cockpit with his father as a little boy, dreaming of following in his footsteps to become a firebombing pilot! After working very hard to achieve this goal, Eder is now the Chief Pilot at Saab Special Flight Operations in Sweden, sharing his wealth of firebombing knowledge to other parts of the world. His aircraft of choice, the AT-802F Fire Boss! 

Egress, emergency and survival - Fire Boss Operation Article:

https://doxasticsafety.com/en/egress-emergency-and-survival-fireboss/

How to become an Aerial Firefighter Article:

https://doxasticsafety.com/en/how-to-become-an-aerial-firefighter/

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After being told he was "not keen enough" for a career in the Air Force, Chad Banfield has enjoyed a 30 plus year career in aviation including a long time enjoying the seaplane lifestyle. He has waited patiently for over 3 years for his dream start at Air Whitsunday flying Beaver's and Caravan's to finding himself in the open air Ag Cat floatplane. Chad is now a Grumman Mallard Captain along side me at Paspaley Aviation.

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As a ten year old boy, Ron went on a short joy flight in a C185 amphibian floatplane. As they came into land on the water, Ron had no idea he was moments away from taking his last breath in the baggage compartment of an upturned, sinking aircraft. 

Flying as a young commercial pilot, Pat was flying the company C206 on a busy, blue skied day at the Geelong Waterfront enjoying his new career flying floats. Landing on the pristine Corio Bay water, Pat went from pilot to rescuer as he had seconds to spare to save his passengers lives from an overturned seaplane.

These two stories will inspire you to check the gear many times before committing a landing onto the water in an amphibian aircraft. 

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Tropic Ocean Airways is becoming the worlds fastest growing seaplane airline, and after talking to Rob Ceravolo on episode 12, it's understandable. Joshua Maddox always thought he was going to go down the normal airline route but joining Tropic has changed his idea about the "career" flying job, and can't see him ever leaving the company that see's him flying to the Bahamas on a daily basis.

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Ben Shipps has one of the most inspiring stories out there. Born with a growth anomaly with his arms, Ben has broke through barrier after barrier to follow his aviation and seaplane dreams, becoming the President of one of the worlds busiest floatplane schools! Everyone knows about Jack Brown's and finally I have a guest on to talk cubs and floatplane training.

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Just recently, photos circulated the internet about a DC-3 being reinstalled on its amphibious EDO floats after 14 years without them. I tracked down Jakob McKenney, who is writing a book all about the history of the DC-3 and C-47 amphibian floatplanes. He shares some incredible stories about the aircraft and the unique floats they sit on.

https://www.aviationnarration.com

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You won't find anyone more passionate about seaplane safety and enjoyment than Steve McCaughey, in fact the guy was married in the back of a Grumman Albatross mid air! He shares his journey into the wonderful world of floats and into his current role as SPA President.

http://www.seaplanes.org

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