Brian Flegel, Chief Flight Instructor at Kenmore Air, joins Steve for an exploration of seaplane training at their facility in Kenmore, Washington. Brian's journey to becoming the Chief Flight Instructor at Kenmore is a true success story not only for him, but also for the effectiveness of the Seaplane Pilots Association's seminar and workshop programs.

This is both an informative podcast for those seeking a seaplane rating, but also an inspiring story of going from an aspiring pilot in the crowd at a seminar to becoming the Chief Flight Instructor at Kenmore Air.

Visit Kenmore at: https://www.kenmoreairharbor.com/flight-instruction.html

Winter seaplane operations are the focus of this episode of Water Flying. Curt Sneddeker, the Maintenance Department Manager at Wipaire in South Saint Paul, Minnesota joins me to discuss useful tips for seaplane owners to conduct for protecting their aircraft during winter operations.

With over 40 years of aviation maintenance experience and over 20 years specializing in seaplane maintenance, Curt is a wealth of knowledge and seaplane wisdom. It was great to sit down with him and get up to speed with things that I would need to know and do before departing on my first multi-day cross country flight in sub-freezing weather.

Richard McSpadden, the Executive Director of the AOPA Aviation Safety Institute, joins us on this episode of Water Flying to discuss the results of the recent Seaplane Study the Seaplane Pilots Association partnered with ASI to conduct.

In this episode, Richard and Steve McCaughey review some of the most important results of this study. These results will guide our areas of focus as we develop future safety seminars, videos, and other safety programs.

Increase your safety awareness, by watching the Seaplane Foundation Amphibious Gear Safety Video and taking the short test afterwards at: https://www.classmarker.com/online-test/start/user-info/?quiz=pbk6283dac5e4d02

Kelli O Donnell is a passionate Seaplane Pilots Association volunteer, marine biologist with NOAA fisheries and is dedicated to helping more women enter the wonderful world of seaplane flying.

In this episode of Water Flying, we will discuss the Seaplane Sirens (Women who charm the winds) Facebook group and how it is serving women who want to join our seaplane flying community.

Roger Paradise from Currier's Flying Service sits down with Steve in Currier’s hangar lakeside Moosehead Lake in Greenville, Maine, for this episode of Water Flying.

Currier's is currently operating two ultra-rare Cessna 195s on floats as well as a De Havilland Beaver and couple of Cessna 180s on floats. Learn what kind of challenges Roger faces operating this historic seaplane service flying vintage seaplanes including the only two commercially operated Cessna 195 floatplanes in the world.

Check out Currier's website at https://curriersflyingservice.com

Missy Lee from Alaska Floats & Skis @AK8 joins Water Flying on this episode to discuss the unique experience pilots will have flying with them in Talkeetna, Alaska.

Whether it be remote river bar landings, landing on roads, ski operations, or seaplane training, pilots flying with Alaska Floats & Skis will expand their flying horizons!

https://www.alaskafloats.com

John Gowey, Director of Flight Operations at Kenmore Air Harbor, joins me for an in-depth discussion on how the wind affects seaplane operations. How to properly read wind direction on the water and align correctly for a safe landing into the wind.

Additionally, what you need to know about wind sheer which occurs when wind flows over and around terrain or other vertical obstructions and how this will affect both your landings and takeoffs in a seaplane. Counter intuitively, protected harbors can create wind hazards for seaplane operations. Listen in and learn to improve your piloting skills and safety!

https://kenmoreair.com/

The Birches is a must visit seaplane friendly resort in northern Maine and a frequent destination for the Seaplane Pilots Association. John Willard who owns this amazing resort joins us on this episode of Water Flying.

John is a passionate seaplane pilot and owner operator and has worked tirelessly to create a resort that offers a seaplane destination seaplane with a marina, gravel strip, numerous wildlife tours, private cabins, a great on site restaurant and bar among the many other opportunities that can be enjoyed by visitors to this play ground in the wooded lake country of northern Maine.

https://www.birches.com

Steve Williams from Acme Cub joins Steve at Lake Hood to discuss the in-depth seaplane instruction that they provide in Alaska. The sheer number of seaplanes and seaplane operations at Lake Hood is unlike any other seaplane base in the world, but it share the strong sense of community that seaplane pilots are known for.

With well over 17,000 hours of backcountry Alaska on big tires and floats Steve Williams has a perspective and wisdom regarding seaplane operations and flying in Alaska that is hard to eclipse. Recorded at the beginning of the 2022 Alaska float season this is must listen episode.

SPA Field Director, Don Goodman, joins Steve to discuss seaplane flying opportunities in the Pacific Northwest. A mountain climbing expedition ignited Don's interest in pursuing his pilots license, and lead to Don owning a Cessna 182 on straight floats.

From boarder crossings to island destinations and even inland alpine lakes the Pacific Northwest abounds with a diverse variety of seaplane flying opportunities for pilots to explore.