sea time in a seaplane

[NorthernMac]

Hey guys,

I’m looking at getting my master and looking at the sea time, I think I have all of it, but using my seaplane time it would for sure put me over the top.

Could this be counted? For what it’s worth it’s been in seaplanes ranging form 6-9pax piston and turbine 300-1000hp

Thanks

[skipmac]

Only the time the plane is on the water will count.

[NorthernMac]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Only the time the plane is on the water will count.

Which works based on the definition of a day at sea

[skipmac]

Credit for a full day will only be given for service of 4 hours or more(See 46 CFR 10.107, definition of “Day”).No credit will ever be given for days in which less than 4 hours were served.


If you plan to taxi a seaplane in the water for a minimum of four hours then sure you can count that as a day.

[NorthernMac]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Credit for a full day will only be given for service of 4 hours or more(See 46 CFR 10.107, definition of “Day”).No credit will ever be given for days in which less than 4 hours were served.


If you plan to taxi a seaplane in the water for a minimum of four hours then sure you can count that as a day.

For all the flights in one day, I’d think it would end up being about that much, with the charter stuff lots if hurry up and wait.

But a seaplane would work as something one could build sea time in eh?

[AA3JY]

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/46/10.232

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by NorthernMac

But a seaplane would work as something one could build sea time in eh?

Seriously? No clue. The short definition from USCG. If you think they would consider a seaplane a "boat" then maybe but to get a definitive answer you should call them.



Sea service is a measure of a mariner’s lifetime experience on boats, whether recreational,commercial, or military.

[a64pilot]

A sea plane is legally a boat when it’s on the water, subject to all the rules and regulations of a boat.
If I were the examiner and saw that I’d kick you out, and if I didn’t I’d be very suspicious of you, cause in my mind your cheating.

I also hold a seaplane rating, just single engine though.

[Chotu]

I’ll sign off on you if you give me some seaplane rides. Love those things

[NorthernMac]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

A sea plane is legally a boat when it’s on the water, subject to all the rules and regulations of a boat.
If I were the examiner and saw that I’d kick you out, and if I didn’t I’d be very suspicious of you, cause in my mind your cheating.

I also hold a seaplane rating, just single engine though.

How is that cheating?

How much time do you have in seaplanes?

I think bubba gump who just drives his floating RV like motor boat around the same old places for long enough to get the time would be “cheating” much more so than a seaplane that is touching down at 50+kts and while slow and maneuvering, a vessel that handles worse than any other boat, is easier to damage and costs a whole ton more and also requires a ton more training to operate, for the most part doesn’t have a real reverse, weather vanes like crazy, etc etc

I’m asking because I couldn’t find a solid answer, based on the book and the capacity it seems they should qualify, just wanted to see if there is any further info.

[a64pilot]

Your a pilot, you know that logbooks are often a fabrication.
You remind me of an instructor pilot I had in a unit I was in.
Military flight time began when the aircraft took off and stopped on engine shutdown.
Civilian flight time begins when the aircraft moves and ends on engine shutdown.
This guy was arguing with the FAA that he should add 20 min to every flight he had as that was how long he said a run up took.
They said sure because they didn’t care what he put down, and he was having a silly argument

[NorthernMac]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Your a pilot, you know that logbooks are often a fabrication.
You remind me of an instructor pilot I had in a unit I was in.
Military flight time began when the aircraft took off and stopped on engine shutdown.
Civilian flight time begins when the aircraft moves and ends on engine shutdown.
This guy was arguing with the FAA that he should add 20 min to every flight he had as that was how long he said a run up took.
They said sure because they didn’t care what he put down, and he was having a silly argument

Not sure what circles you roll in, but I don’t know of a person who fabricated a log book, I mean there is always the guy who knows a guy bit, however I don’t actually know of anyone who did.

As far as PIC, prop start to stop for flight, go cross a hold short line or something and tell the feds it doesn’t matter because you weren’t PIC, you didn’t take off yet! lol

In the industry lots of places have flight time and block time, all of the pilots log flight time and you’d get some odd reactions if you didn’t.

Your instructor should have kept two log books in that case, one for mil time and one for normal time.

But back to the question, is there anywhere that shows what makes it countable, for example I know they don’t count jet ski time and the like.

[Tingum]

I would claim the time just for giggles to see what the CG would say.

[NorthernMac]

Originally Posted by Tingum

I would claim the time just for giggles to see what the CG would say.

I’d hope one could hold the USCG to a higher standard than that.

I’d think there would be definition, not just the opinion of whatever random person sees a application.

[Dsanduril]

A fascinating question.

The USCG does not consider a seaplane a boat/vessel in terms of carrying safety gear - lifejackets/flares/bell/whistle/etc. They have conceded that that is the purview of the FAA.

A USCG does consider a seaplane a vessel when operating on the water and it is subject to COLREGS.

I'd assume the seaplane is less than 200 tons? What is the tonnage? That number is required for documenting seatime. If going for an MMC above 25 tons then time in similar vessels is required and I suspect there are very few seaplanes that would come anywhere close to 25T (remember, tonnage is a volume measurement and excludes engine and fuel storage spaces).

The USCG requires the vessel's official number - not sure if they would accept a tail number. Would be interesting.

Do you own the seaplane? If so you can attest your own time, otherwise the owner must attest for you. Except, that if the vessel is not documented (and I assume the seaplane is not documented) then the time must be attested by a third-party. So not only do you have to convince the USCG, you also have to convince a plane owner/partner/someone else.

If the vessel is not documented it must have a name and you must provide the name.