Looking for Taylorcraft Float Instruction

[AKTcrafter]

I have a few days off in the beginning of April and would like to get my float rating during that time. I'd like to have the rating so I could hit the water in my Tcraft just as soon as the ice is off the water here in southcentral alaska. If I'm going to pay to do it in someone else's plane I want to do it in a T-Craft so it will count toward the hours that my insurance company wants me to have. It needs to be a place that can do it as a commercial rather than a private single engine sea rating. If anyone knows of an operator who can do this please let me know as soon as possible. I'll watch this thread for replies or you can emai me at [email protected]

Thanks,

Roger Clyne
N94964
BC12D/Model 19 conversion

[Carl Ellis]

Re: Looking for Taylorcraft Float Instruction

Roger -

Dave Wiley here in Portland Oregon can give you instruction. He's got an 85hp BC-12D that he flies off the river.

http://www.seaplanes.org/training/schools/OR.htm

- Carl -

[AKTcrafter]

Re: Looking for Taylorcraft Float Instruction

Carl,

Thanks for the information. I'll try to reach Dave Wiley tomorrow.

Roger

[Jim Hartley]

Re: Looking for Taylorcraft Float Instruction

Hi Roger! Dick Smith from Kenai has first hand experience with Dave Wiley's operation as he was down there last year and obtained his rating. Dick is out of state and will not be back until the end of the month as I understand. You could email him through the forum and when he has access to a computer I am sure he will respond at his first opporutunity.

Jim

[Carl Ellis]

Re: Looking for Taylorcraft Float Instruction

I too have heard good things about Dave. I do know that you need to be ready to *earn* your rating. Dave has very high standards.

- Carl -

[AKTcrafter]

Re: Looking for Taylorcraft Float Instruction

I did get hold of Dave Wiley and just need to see if his schedule matches mine. I'm sill interested in others who might do Tcraft float instruction, especially on the east coast since I'll be working in NY before and after my several days off in early April. That's why that that part of the country would actually be easier than coming across to the west coast for just a few days.

Thanks for the help, Roger

[Howard Wilson]

Re: Looking for Taylorcraft Float Instruction

Check out chesapeakeseaplanes.com. Don't know anything about them. Except they are on the East Coast

[AKTcrafter]

Re: Looking for Taylorcraft Float Instruction

Howard,

Thanks for the tip. I already spoke to Stan at Chesapeake Seaplanes and he won't have his dock in the water for an early April training session that my schedule dictates.

Regards, Roger

[Dick Smith]

Re: Looking for Taylorcraft Float Instruction

Roger,
I know schedules can throw a kink into the best-laid plans and desires, but I would try to train under Dave Wiley, if you are really interested in how floats apply to a Taylorcraft. A good share of my flying was with one of Dave's instructors, Mr. Crowley, who flies Beavers for Kenmore in Seattle and who has flown floats in S.E. Alaska. Dave has flown floats out in the Iliamna/Bristol Bay area, so they both bring an Alaskan perspective to their training. I honestly believe you will benefit from that angle. Dick Smith