PRIVILEGES AND LIMITATIONS
In general, the privileges and limitations of a seaplane
rating are similar to those of the equivalent land rating.
The same standards and requirements apply as for
comparable landplane certificates.
While it is possible for a student to use a seaplane to
obtain all the flight training necessary to earn a pilot
certificate, and many pilots have done so, this publica-
tion is intended primarily for pilots who already hold
airman certificates and would like to add seaplane
capabilities. Therefore, this chapter does not address
pilot certificate requirements, regulations, or proce-
dures that would also apply to landplane operations.
Information on regulations not directly related to water
operations is available in other Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) publications.
For certification purposes, the term “seaplane” refers
to a class of aircraft. A pilot requires additional train-
ing when transitioning to a seaplane. Ground and flight
training must be received and logged, and a pilot must
pass a class rating practical test prior to initial opera-
tions as pilot in command. This training requires the
use of an authorized flight instructor to conduct such
training and attest to the competency of a pilot prior to
taking the practical test. Because the seaplane rating is
part of an existing pilot certificate, the practical test is
not as extensive as for a new pilot certificate, and cov-
ers only the procedures unique to seaplane operations.
No separate written test is required for pilots who are
adding seaplane to an existing pilot certificate.
Adding a seaplane rating does not modify the overall
limitations and privileges of the pilot certificate. For
example, private pilots with a seaplane rating are not
authorized to engage in seaplane operations that would
require a commercial certificate. Likewise, a pilot with
a single-engine seaplane class rating may not fly multi-
engine seaplanes without further training. However,
no regulatory distinction is made between flying boats
and seaplanes equipped with floats. [Figure 1-1]
SEAPLANE REGULATIONS
Because of the nature of seaplane operations, certain
regulations apply. Most of them are set forth in Title 14
Single-Engine Land
Single-Engine Sea
Multiengine
Land
Multiengine
Sea
Airplane
Class
Figure 1-1. Seaplane is a class.
Ch 01.qxd 10/25/04 1:42 PM Page 1-1
of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 1,
61, and 91.
Just as land-based pilots must understand airport oper-
ations, the pilot certification requirements in 14 CFR
part 61 require seaplane pilots to know and use the
rules for seaplane base operations.
Specific regulations recognize the unique characteristics
of water operations. For example, 14 CFR part 61, sec-
tion 61.31 takes into account that seaplanes seldom have
retractable landing gear as such, so an endorsement to
act as pilot in command of a complex seaplane requires
training in a seaplane with flaps and a controllable pitch
propeller. Likewise, in 14 CFR part 91, section 91.107,
there is an exception to the rule that everyone must have
a seat and wear a seatbelt during movement on the
surface. The person pushing off or mooring a seaplane
at a dock is authorized to move around while the
seaplane is in motion on the surface.
14 CFR PART 91, SECTION 91.115
RIGHT-OF-WAY RULES: WATER
OPERATIONS
The right-of-way rules for operation on water are
similar, but not identical, to the rules governing right-
of-way between aircraft in flight.
(a) General. Each person operating an aircraft on the
water shall, insofar as possible, keep clear of all
vessels and avoid impeding their navigation, and
shall give way to any vessel or other aircraft that
is given the right-of-way by any rule of this
section.
(b) Crossing. When aircraft, or an aircraft and a ves-
sel, are on crossing courses, the aircraft or vessel
to the other’s right has the right-of-way.
(c) Approaching head-on. When aircraft, or an air-
craft and a vessel, are approaching head-on, or
nearly so, each shall alter its course to the right to
keep well clear.
(d) Overtaking. Each aircraft or vessel that is being
overtaken has the right-of-way, and the one over-
taking shall alter course to keep well clear.
(e) Special circumstances. When aircraft, or an air-
craft and a vessel, approach so as to involve risk
of collision, each aircraft or vessel shall proceed
with careful regard to existing circumstances,
including the limitations of the respective craft.
RULES OF THE SEA
According to United States Coast Guard (USCG)
regulations, the definition of a vessel includes virtu-
ally anything capable of being used for transportation
on water, including seaplanes on the water.
Therefore, any time a seaplane is operating on the
water, whether under power or not, it is required to
comply with USCG navigation rules applicable to ves-
sels. Simply adhering to 14 CFR part 91, section
91.115 should ensure compliance with the USCG
rules. Pilots are encouraged to obtain the USCG
Navigation Rules, International-Inland, M16672.2D,
available from the U.S. Government Printing Office.
These rules apply to all public or private vessels navi-
gating upon the high seas and certain inland waters.
INLAND AND INTERNATIONAL WATERS
Inland waters are divided visually from international
waters by buoys in areas with frequent ocean traffic.
Inland waters are inshore of a line approximately paral-
lel with the general trend of the shore, drawn through
the outermost buoy. The waters outside of the line are
international waters or the high seas.
Seaplanes operating inshore of the boundary line
dividing the high seas from the inland waters must
follow the established statutory Inland Rules (Pilot
Rules). Seaplanes navigating outside the boundary
line dividing the high seas from inland waters must
follow the International Rules of the Sea. All sea-
planes must carry a current copy of the rules when
operating in international waters.
UNITED STATES AIDS FOR MARINE
NAVIGATION
For safe operations, a pilot must be familiar with
seaplane bases, maritime rules, and aids to marine
navigation.
SEAPLANE LANDING AREAS
The familiar rotating beacon is used to identify lighted
seaplane landing areas at night and during periods of
reduced visibility; however, the colors alternate white
and yellow for water landing areas. A double white
flash alternating with yellow identifies a military sea-
plane base.
On aeronautical charts, seaplane landing areas are
depicted with symbols similar to land airports, with the
addition of an anchor in the center. As with their land
counterparts, tick marks around the outside of the
symbol denote a seaplane base with fuel and services
available, and a double ring identifies military facili-
ties. [Figure 1-2]
BUOYS AND DAYBEACONS
Buoys are floating markers held in place with cables or
chains to the bottom. Daybeacons are used for similar
purposes in shallower waters, and usually consist of a
marker placed on top of a piling or pole driven into the
bottom. Locations of buoys within U.S. waters are
Ch 01.qxd 8/24/04 10:28 AM Page 1-2
The buoyage system used in the United States employs
a simple arrangement of colors, shapes, numbers, and
lights. Whenever operating near buoys, keep in mind
that the length of chain holding the buoy in place is
likely to be several times the depth of the water, so the
buoy may be some distance from its charted location,
as well as from any danger or obstruction it is intended
to mark. Do not come any closer to a buoy than
necessary.
Buoys with a cylindrical shape are called can buoys,
while those with a conical shape are known as nun
buoys. The shape often has significance in interpreting
the meaning of the buoy. [Figure 1-3]
Since a buoy’s primary purpose is to guide ships
through preferred channels to and from the open sea,
the colors, shapes, lights, and placement become
meaningful in that context. Approaching from sea-
ward, the left (port) side of the channel is marked
with black or green can buoys. These buoys use odd
numbers whose values increase as the vessel moves
toward the coast. They also mark obstructions that
should be kept to the vessel’s left when proceeding
from seaward.
The right side of the channel, or obstructions that
should be kept to the vessel’s right when headed
toward shore, are marked with red nun buoys. These
shown on nautical charts prepared by the Office of
Coast Survey (OCS), an office within the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Light lists prepared by the Coast Guard describe light-
ships, lighthouses, buoys, and daybeacons maintained
on all navigable waters of the United States.
Seaplane Base
No Facilities or Complete
Information is Not Available
Civil Seaplane Base
with Fuel and Services
Military Seaplane Base
with Fuel and Services
Figure 1-2. Seaplane landing areas have distinctive symbols
to distinguish them from land airports.
Keep to Right of Buoy or Piling
when Coming from Seaward
Keep to Left of Buoy or Piling
when Coming from Seaward
Keep to Right
to Follow
Primary Channel
Coming from
Seaward
Keep to Left
to Follow
Primary Channel
Coming from
Seaward
Mid-Channel Markers
Figure 1-3. Buoys typically used along waterways.
Ch 01.qxd 8/24/04 10:28 AM Page 1-3
buoys use even numbers whose values increase from
seaward. The mnemonic “red, right, returning” helps
mariners and seaplane pilots remember to keep the red
buoys to their right when proceeding toward the shore
(“returning” to their home port).
Black and white vertically striped buoys mark the cen-
ter of the channel or fairway (the nautical term for the
navigable part of a river, bay, or harbor), and may use
letters starting at A from seaward.
Naturally, not all waterways lead straight from ocean to
port, so there are also buoys to mark the junctions of
waterways. Buoys with red and black horizontal bands
mark junctions or places where the waterway forks.
They also mark wrecks and obstructions that can be
passed on either side. The color of the top band (red or
black) and the shape of the buoy (nun or can) indicate
the side on which the buoy should be passed by a ves-
sel proceeding inbound along the primary channel. If
the topmost band is black, the buoy should be kept to
the left of an inbound vessel. If the topmost band is red,
keep the buoy to the right when inbound. Buoys with
the black top band will usually be cans, while those
with the red top band will usually be nuns.
For waterways that run more or less parallel to the
coast, there is no obvious inbound or outbound to give
direction to the waterway, so by convention the
inbound direction of such waterways is assumed to be
“clockwise” around the contiguous states. This means
that for waterways running parallel to the east coast,
southbound is considered the inbound direction; for
waterways along the Gulf coast, inbound means
westbound; and for waterways along the west coast,
northbound is inbound.
Daybeacons and daymarks serve similar purposes as
buoys and use similar symbology. In the United States,
green is replacing black as the preferred color for port-
side daymarks. [Figure 1-4]
These are just the most basic features of the most com-
mon buoyage system in the United States. There are
other buoyage systems in use, both in the United States
and in other countries. Sometimes the markings are
exactly the opposite of those just described. Good
pilots will obtain a thorough understanding of the mar-
itime aids to navigation used in the areas where they
intend to fly.
NIGHTTIME BUOY IDENTIFICATION
Usually only the more important buoys are lighted.
Some unlighted buoys may have red, white, or green
reflectors having the same significance as lights of the
same colors. Black or green buoys have green or white
lights; red buoys have red or white lights. Likewise,
buoys with a red band at the top carry red lights, while
those with a black band topmost carry green lights.
White lights are used without any color significance.
Lights on red or black buoys are always flashing or
occulting. (When the light period is shorter than the
dark period, the light is flashing. When the light is
interrupted by short dark periods, the light is occulting.)
A light flashing a Morse Code letter “A” (dot-dash)
indicates a mid-channel buoy.
There is much more to the system of maritime naviga-
tion aids than can be presented here. Nautical books
and online resources can be a great help in extending
knowledge and understanding of these important aids.
Daymark Daymark
Pointer Pointer
Port (Left) Markers
(When Coming
from Seaward)
Starboard (Right) Markers
(When Coming
from Seaward)
Figure 1-4. Typical daymarks.