Canadian Seaplane Ratings, Courses &

Floatplane Training

If you have aspirations of becoming a Seaplane pilot, whether commercial or private, no one is more capable of helping you achieve your goals than Ocean Air. We have helped over 140 pilots learn and achieve their seaplane rating since 2003.

If it suits your needs, we can take Seaplane Training above and beyond the Transport Canada Floatplane / Seaplane Endorsement basics. Our exceptionally well-rounded 15 & 50 hour bush Seaplane training programs, our 'Vacationing Pilot’ course, knowledgeable instructors, and beautiful Gulf Islands setting just outside Victoria and close to Vancouver, creates a perfect training setting for learning to be an experienced and safe bush / urban Seaplane pilot.

Who is Ocean Air and what Experience do their Pilots have?

Ocean Air has two highly experienced instructors: David Budd and Bryan Webster. They have extensive background in float operations throughout Canada totalling many thousands of hours on floats both on the coast and in the Canadian North. David has over 3800+ floatplane hours on the West Coast and Bryan has over 11,000 hours total time. Both of us also work part time for Salt Spring Island Air flying charter and scheduled flights in the DeHavilland Beaver. This real world experience will give the student the training employers recognize and pilots appreciate.

Bryan Webster: Instructor and Charter pilot --

In 1976 while attending Richmond High school Bryan Webster learned to fly on a Fleet 80 Canuck tail dragger at Pitt Meadows BC. Shortly afterwards Bryan was flying commercially at the ripe old age of 18 out of Whitehorse, Yukon in a Cessna 185 seaplane. From there Bryan went onto Watson Lake, Yukon with forestry in a Bellanca Scout on fire patrols.

In 1981 Bryan appeared at Dawson City, Yukon as an operator with his newly purchased beloved Luscombe 8A plus a Cessna 172, 185 and 206 followed by a De Havilland Beaver until 1984 when he sold out to his pilot employee. Fort Smith, NWT was the next stop again piloting the usual Canadian bush planes such as Cessna 185 and Cessna 210 as bird dog pilot to B25 and A26 water bombers until 1985 when he went further north to Yellowknife, NWT to fly similar aircraft including the immortal Beaver and the amazing Turbo Beaver.

With wife Patti and soon to be son Jeff, they decided it was time to be home more and in tent camps less, thus moved into the IFR scene on Medivacs and Corporate on the Beechcraft 200.

In 1991, the more stable Cargo pilot position at Fed Ex seemed a good fit on the Cessna Caravan where Bryan continued until 2001. Bryan then created Aviation Egress Systems, teaching pilots and passengers how to evacuate ditched aircraft and helicopters; while flying for Harbour Air and West Coast Air in Victoria's Inner Harbour.

Today Bryan works all over Canada Egress Training (2007 T/C Aviation Safety Award Recipient www.dunkyou.com) and flies for Captain David Budd at Ocean Air teaching the art of float flying and general charter with more than 11,000 hours total time. Bryan is now known throughout the Floatplane industry as: Bry, the Dunker Guy.

Ocean Air Floatplane / Seaplane Training on
British Columbia's Pacific Coast!

We aren't just a Seaplane school; we are also an air-taxi service which means that your training takes place in an environment that will make the student and aviation enthusiast aware of the real world concerns, planning and professionalism required of an operation that serves the public.

The unique geographical features of Coastal British Columbia include thousands of local islands, inlets, rivers, lakes and soaring mountains. These create a spectacular, challenging, and ever-changing learning environment. Seaplanes give you the freedom to explore the entire coast: where there is water, there is a runway! Together we will explore and teach you how to safely operate in the coastal towns, villages and in the confined areas of the bush as well as high altitude lakes. The scenery is unsurpassed and wildlife sightings are common: from whales and seals to bald eagles.

We really care about the success of our students and strive to accommodate them in all possible ways.

Our programs encourage students to learn from our extensive experience and share the excitement of flying from the Pacific Ocean to coastal and interior lakes and rivers.

The Aircraft: Cessna 180 EDO 2960 Floats

The Cessna 180 has a constant speed propeller and is powered by the proven Continental 0470R- 230 hp. engine. The 180/185 and 206 are the most commonly used Cessna aircraft in commercial seaplane operations with high useful loads and plenty of power. For career minded students it's time on type that is important to insurance and operators. This makes us sure you are comfortable, familiar and practiced.

For Pilots who are interested in touring while training, the C180 holds plenty of fuel, pilot, instructor and 2 friends to come along… with lots of useful load left over (1150 lbs total!) for days spent in far cross-country coastal wilderness adventures.

Time on simple Cessna 172s is useful however operators and insurance requirements require those with experience on their aircraft. Conversion to 185 and 206 from the 180 is minimal as these aircraft are in terms of operations are very similar to the 180. We believe that the advantages of learning a more complex aircraft with the ability to experience real commercial scenarios is what our courses are all about. We want you to succeed in your aspirations and the C180 for its small price difference, will give you added experience, confidence and safety. Also, perhaps most importantly, the 180's increased speed (105kts vs. 85kts) in cruise will overcome the price difference when we are traveling to destinations giving you more experiences in the same amount of time as well as the ability to go into bigger water and wind contions.

The 50 hour Professional Seaplane Pilot Course:

Ocean Air is a well-respected, well-known and internationally recognized floatplane school: see our Testimonials Section. The Professional Seaplane Training Course is designed for the ambitious student seeking a career as a Professional Seaplane Pilot. Over the course of 50 hours of extensive seaplane training, the student will learn all the necessary techniques to become a superior Seaplane pilot. The course consists of 25 hours dual instruction and 25 hours of PIC supervised practice. This professional program will prepare you for a confident start in the Seaplane aviation industry. This is a great way to begin your flying career.

Training begins with the basics. We start our syllabus with the Seaplane rating, enabling you to perform 5 solo take offs and landings while learning from conditions as they arise. Part of your training will include the urban environments and busy airspace around the Victoria and Vancouver Harbours. Add to that the wild, rugged wilderness of the Pacific Coast with its small villages and real working coastal Seaplane docks, and you'll gain confidence operating in any situation. You’ll find an exciting and ever-changing experience that commercial operators will recognize, giving you the edge when you’re looking for employment. Training takes place in confined areas, lakes, rivers, high altitude mountain ranges and in the coastal ocean environment at real working Seaplane docks. Based on our well developed syllabus. Included is a mountain check ride with specific ground lessons covering safe light aircraft flying in the mountainous regions.

Ocean Air has developed a 50-hour Seaplane syllabus that has proven very effective in enabling career minded pilots to become professional Seaplane pilots. The fact that the Seaplane insurance industry requires a minimum of 50 hours on floats to hire new commercial pilots makes this course a necessary first step. Ocean Air's 50 hour Seaplane training syllabus will give you the required training to get that important first job. We have graduates who fly Seaplanes commercially all over the world and Operators who annually request Pilots Trained by Ocean Air. Visit our testimonials page or ask us for info.

Coastal jobs require the most experience because of the many challenges that the coast offers. Ocean Air will train you in this environment and operators will understand the benefits of you coastal training.

We never charge for ground school time on the dock! Our students are encouraged to ask questions and enquire about techniques without any charge.

ATAC Professional Pilot Career Information Brochure

Total: CAD $14500 (*conditions apply, please call or email for details)

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The possibility of learning to fly Seaplanes in this challenging and beautiful environment brings pilots from around the world to Canada's Coast.

The Visit the Coast Course: "The Vacation of a Lifetime"

If you are visiting and looking for a unique flying adventure, leave the airports behind! Explore the Pacific coast filled with beautiful places to set-down. We can offer training in the form of a casual but serious flight-seeing vacation. We will take you to the places for which British Columbia is renowned with you as the seaplane pilot.

This course is designed for a licensed pilot interested in learning Seaplane flying techniques and skills, but who also wants to spend a vacation flying the aircraft into the scenic places that makes British Columbia so famous. This course is intended for those who are visiting the coast with flight-seeing while attaining the Seaplane rating rather than an intensive course for career-minded students. The C180 allows for up to 2 friends either pilots or passengers to come along as you learn and explore!

Consider a Mountain Check Ride. Classroom lessons on the complexities of flying in the mountains and then we’re off into the local mountain ranges for touchdowns on high altitude mountain lakes!

May we suggest a few places to visit: Whistler, Tofino, Bamfield, Princess Louisa Inlet and countless others!

Dual Seaplane instruction time including cruise to destinations is $325 CDN* per hour

Seaplane Training Specialized to Your Needs:

Many students have specific skills that they would like to hone with the help of a seasoned professional. Approach us with your specific needs and we will design a course for you!

Dual flight instruction: *Call or email for specific charges for your unique course.

Transport Canada Seaplane Rating / Float Plane Rating:

Taught as per the Transport Canada Seaplane Manual, you will be introduced to seaplanes and will be competent to fly the 5 solo take off and landing requirements for the rating to be added to your License. Included is docking, ramping, launching, taxiing techniques, take off and landings, preflight and post-flight as well as other techniques encountered as conditions dictate.

Our students have completed over 25 ratings in the last year, with great success and smiles from ear to ear!

We have two textbooks available at discounted rates that the student may be interested in purchasing. There are copies available for from our seaplane library too.

ATAC Professional Pilot Career Information Brochure

Total: CAD $2250* plus $30 to Transport Canada to update your Canadian license.

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15 Hour Proficiency Course:

Earn your seaplane rating, then take the next step by honing the skills that you'll learn while earning the Transport Canada Seaplane Rating.

Work your new found skills in realistic scenerios while learning the challenging skills of determining conditions then executing the appropriate plan of action. This course takes place in the spectacular scenery of the Gulf Islands at busy, real working Pacific seaplane docks that serve Island communities.

Total: CAD $4875* including the Seven Hour Seaplane Rating Course
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We have two textbooks available at discounted rates that the student may be interested in purchasing. There are copies available from our seaplane library too.

Discovery Flight:

If you have never flown a seaplane or don't have a pilot license, we will take you out for some take offs and landings! Come out and give it a try -- and, Enjoy the scenery!

$325 per hour* with an instructor. 1 hour is a great introduction!

Enter the exciting world of Seaplane flying!
Come and experience a real flying and learning adventure!

*All prices are in Canadian Dollars and do not include 12% tax (HST)

*There are NO fuel surcharges or ANY other charges other than taxes

*Ratings and Courses (except the discovery flight) require a minimum of a Private Pilot License