Alaska Seaplane(Float) ratings, season's coming How do you out of State folks see it?

[Float Pilot]

Float (single engine sea) season is creeping up on us Alaskans again. But over the last couple of years I have seen a big drop off in my business as well as other folks who fly for pay. It used to be that a big chunk of my customers were out of State folks who came up for a vacation and also managed to squeeze in a Seaplane rating between halibut fishing and pack-horse tours.

How do you out of Alaska folks see the year shaping up as far as lower 48ers are concerned? Do you see tourism and flight training on the re-bound or still dragging...??

I am starting to wonder if I need to change from training float pilots to some other business...

 

[Grizzly 1]

Float (single engine sea) season is creeping up on us Alaskans again. But over the last couple of years I have seen a big drop off in my business as well as other folks who fly for pay. It used to be that a big chunk of my customers were out of State folks who came up for a vacation and also managed to squeeze in a Seaplane rating between halibut fishing and pack-horse tours.

How do you out of Alaska folks see the year shaping up as far as lower 48ers are concerned? Do you see tourism and flight training on the re-bound or still dragging...??

I am starting to wonder if I need to change from training float pilots to some other business...

Personally, I hope you can stick with it. I think you very likely do a lot of good!!!

My $0.02 . . . . .

 

[alaskaOE]

A SES rating isn't on the top of my list right now, want to do instrument first, but your stay and learn deal is so tempting that I may try to pull it off.

 

[goosepilot]

I'm still planning to do it, but not sure if will be this fall or not. Last years employers, left me short of expected work. Working on new employer/partnership. I may just fly up commercially, do a smaller hunt and do a SES even if time and money don't allow me to come up with my cub like I had planned on doing last year. Will keep fingers crossed. Sorry, I cant be more helpful at this time.

 

[TBLOOMA]

FP, I think the Economy is getting better down south, but maybe not good enough for folks to venture to AK for a seaplane rating? I have seen an increase in people buying pacers, t-crates, C-150 and such, and coming to me for instruction in thier OWN plane. At this point I am turning away customers, cause I just don't have the time. I know that the cost of insurance for seaplanes is way too high in my opinion, maybe that has something to do with it.

I know Seaplane flying seems to be on the decline back in the northeast, friends and family back in Maine confirm that. Heck Folsom's seaplane base closed down! Twitchels is busy, but I thought they would be alot busier!
anyway, that just my observations and thoughts...........

 

[Float Pilot]

Well over past couple of days I have had 5 people call up from out of State and schedule float-ratings.. So far, so good.
I am trying to keep my prices reasonable, which oddly enough causes some confusion.
I had one guy today ask me why I cost less than a couple other outfits and yet I carry insurance coverage while they do not...
He thought that I might actually get more business by increasing my prices... That really threw me for a loop....

 

[goosepilot]

This is kinda apples to oranges. A guy I sprayed with from Arkansas was big into a duck hunting lodge business. They hired a professional marketing person who told them to triple their prices. They did and went from having a number of open weekends to being booked out 2+ years. This is a little different situation, but still interesting nonetheless.

 

[TBLOOMA]

FP, you could increase your prices, then you have room to offer dicounts for say military, or for slow parts fo the year. Just brainstorming here. FP you going to be at the Float plane seminar in ANC? If ya are, I'll for sure come over and say "HI" I ran into you there last year.