Amphib only used on land

[Grabo172]

Let's say you own an amphib and have no Seaplane rating.

Am I correct in thinking that you can fly it from land only, until a seaplane rating is added?

[SIUav8er]

yup, all you need is a complex endorsement if it has flaps and controlable pitch prop

[NickH]

Yep!

But watch out for the 'high up' landing position and the pitch change with power if you have a high-mounted engine.

[USMCmech]

Originally Posted by Grabo172

Let's say you own an amphib and have no Seaplane rating.

Am I correct in thinking that you can fly it from land only, until a seaplane rating is added?

I think you are incorrect. A Cessna on floats, is a "single engine sea" airplane, while your liscense says single engine land.

[NickH]

An Amphib is on wheels, until you land with them retracted.

[Grabo172]

I actually found a great source for the answer... Seaplane Pilots Association.

Here's what is said over there...

"Actually, as Ed U. stated in the first response, the FAA is absolutely crystal clear on this:

If you operate an amphibious airplane only on land it is by definition, a Single Engine Land operation. If you land it in the water, it is a Single Engine Sea operation. The pilot must be certificated for each of those IF he does both. But, if you only do SES you only have to be SES licensed. If you are only doing wheels, you only need a SEL rating.

Now, if you are rated in both, and you takeoff from land, land in water and then land on land, the LOGGING of that time (whether SES or SEL) is really up to you, and I agree with Doug in that regard as to the ambiguity of the regs.

But the regs are absolutely clear that when on wheels, an amphib must be operated by a SEL rated pilot, and when its on water, it must be operated by a SES pilot.

Don't forget to get the proper endorsements for your airplane as well. Any floatplane with a controllable pitch propeller and wing flaps is, by definition, a "complex" airplane and you must have an endorsement to that effect to operate it. Doesn't have to be an amphibian.

If your amphibious aircraft has wing flaps and a controllable propeller, it is a complex airplane, on wheels or floats.

If it has more than 200 horsepower, it is high performance by definition, and you need a high performance endorsement as well, whether its on wheels or floats.

Have fun, but don't be tempted to get your feet wet without guidance."

[esa17]

Originally Posted by NickH

Yep!

But watch out for the 'high up' landing position and the pitch change with power if you have a high-mounted engine.

Absolutely!!! I love those flying bricks known as "Lake Amphibs". Its so counter intuitive when you pull the power off that the nose rises and that took some getting used too.

[butt]

Originally Posted by Grabo172

If it has more than 200 horsepower, it is high performance by definition, and you need a high performance endorsement as well, whether its on wheels or floats.

Have fun, but don't be tempted to get your feet wet without guidance."

Is there such a thing as an anphibian aircraft with no kind of retractable landing gear?