By Connor R Sullivan
Almost everyone has every ridden in an airplane or on a boat, but how many people can you name who have ridden on a boat that is also a plane? Float planes have become more and more popular recently due to the growing tourist industry and now they are becoming personal possession items that are fun toys for those who like to fly planes or drive boats. When looking for a float plane, it is important to understand the floatplane rating so that you can purchase one that is safe and reliable. A float rating is kind of like a number value on the trustworthiness of the vehicle. Without it, your purchasing experience would be much more difficult.
When purchasing your very own float plane, there are a few things that you want to definitely keep in mind before you decide on a final purchase for yourself. Keep in mind a certain price range for yourself. Certain companies will raise or lower prices for competition but all in all float planes are going to be priced in the same general area. You also want to look out for consumer reviews on the products. Research a little before you do your shopping and contact a friend who may have purchased one before. Knowing the differences between the brands and how reliable each is can be very helpful.
Flying a float plane is just like piloting a normal plane except you must master the art of landing this small plane in water. Hitting the water too fast will sling you to the water tumbling forwards but landing just right with smoothly sail you the dock. Obviously flying a plane requires a license, so you will have to go through the process of what needs to be done to get that license before you can fly planes. Many would suggest getting that license first before you look into buying the plane.
Float planes will generally give you a little more of a fun experience than a regular plane, so these are great for entertaining or for touring businesses on busy islands or in busy cities. Invite the friends and family over for a boat ride and then take off into the sky for a nice surprise. The airplane, once in the air will feel like nothing but an actual airplane. The numbers of altitude are obviously much lower but the plane is very light and extremely easy to fly. These planes tend to be a little slower than real planes, but that is because they are not bogged down with super duty engines.
Purchasing a new toy, such as an airplane, can be a really big purchase that may require a little bit of time to think about it as well as deciding the perfect one. Check out different styles, different brands, and different prices just to ensure that you will be completely satisfied with your purchase. You would not want to spend that much money on something that you were not completely satisfied with, so take your time when purchasing your new toy.
Connor R. Sullivan recently researched the business of floatplane rating company in order to write an article about the subject. His son received his float rating and is now eligible to fly a floatplane in the Pacific Northwest.
More info: http://www.patbayair.com/floatplanetraining/