BELLE CHASSE LA- Not long ago Southern Seaplane Inc- SSI received FAA recognition for the only known contiguous US Part 141 certificate, add-on Seaplane Rating and the founding of the Seaplane Safety Institute. As if that was not big enough news, they also celebrated the completion of a new operations center at the 58-year-old, three-generation business. A truly unique private facility located near the shadow of New Orleans, is the center of all that is floatplanes- in activity, training and commercial operations. The seaplane fleet includes single engine float and amphibious equipment from Cubs to the Beaver.
President and Director of Operations, Lyle Panepinto knows the difficulty in finding experienced seaplane pilots. A few years ago, this reality lead to formalizing the Seaplane Safety Institute. For rated seaplane pilots, the course highlights and encompasses knowledge necessary for pilots to operate their specific aircraft safely and professionally. Intensive three-day training includes, Ground Training, Marine Survival Training and Flight Training, taught by an 18,000-flight hour instructor with 30 years of seaplane experience.
However, for rated pilots that desire the best training in an add-on Seaplane Rating, the new Part 141 School provides real world experience to put you on either a new career path or a high level of competency and experience in day-to-day seaplane operations. SSI is pioneering a level of Seaplane training that before now was not available anywhere.
Possibly the most fun and economical float flying is in the Cub. But if you are new to float flying, there are a number of considerations to ownership. How great is it to walk outside and jump in your floatplane, that is- if you live on the water. Then there is the care and storage of your rag-wing beauty. If you don't have fuel on site or mechanical credentials, you will need to have a plan. If you never fly away from "your" water, then how will you gain the knowledge and experience to safely enjoy your floatplane? These are only a few of the challenges of having your water wings. Training solves the old adage, "You don't know what you don't know". SSI brings a new level of much needed knowledge and safety into the beautiful world and freedom of seaplane flying.
Standing: Rhonda Panepinto- Director Air Tours, Lacey Panepinto Charvet- Vice President, Marketing and Sales; Lyle Panepinto- President and Director of Operations of Southern Seaplane Inc, seated, Emile Charvet- Office Manager.
Family owned and operated Southern Seaplane Inc has indeed weathered many storms on the Louisiana coast since 1954, yet they continue to flourish. Their experiences, facilities and commercial services are evolving and expanding as opportunities unfold. Today there is very little to do with floatplanes that SSI is not doing and doing to the highest possible quality.
B Meyer, FMI: http://seaplanesafety.com/, http://southernseaplane.com/cms/ .