Rates - Menu of Lessons
IMPORTANT! You will be flying in the front seat of a PA-18 Super Cub. We have three well maintained Super Cubs, two on EDO 2000s and one on Wipline 2100 Floats. Wips’ STC makes it a 2000-pound Cub.
WARNING! Some schools put you in the back seat of old J-3s or use old PA- 12s or Taylorcrafts. Alaska Float Ratings uses the classic of Alaska airplanes --- the Super Cub, even though a PA-18 cost three times as much as these other planes. And our prices are nearly the same. The Super Cub is my favorite bush plane, how could I not use it in my school?
Trail Lake in Moose Pass, Alaska, is a premiere bush location. Here you will receive unsurpassed value for your time and money invested than anywhere else in the world. How do we know? Our students tell us so. There are seven other lakes all within five minutes of base. Mountain flying instruction and experience is part of every lesson at Moose Pass. Trail Lake’s elevation is 485 ft. The 5000 ft. mountains surrounding Trail Lake is the reason we’re located here.
Mountain flying instruction is included at Moose Pass --- FREE with every float rating.
These prices do not include the examiner fee of $400, or any fuel surcharge which is only charged when the price of fuel is substantially higher than the previous year. Your dual sessions will be customized to your individual abilities and experience. Extra flight and ground time will be charged at prevailing rates. 250# max weight. Come prepared to study and not entertain family members. If you bring friends or family please rent a car so they can tour the area while you are studying.
Most, if not all, students need to brush up on “the basics” * of flight. It doesn’t seem to make a difference as to how many hours pilots have or what kind of aircraft they’ve been flying. NOTE: This is not a “guaranteed rating,” you have to earn it.
We begin lessons on Mondays of each week.
2012 Menu of Seaplane Lessons with Lodging
Scroll down for Lessons without Lodging
The cabin is a cedar-sided cabin with a view from the front porch of the lake,dock. and mountains. It has a kitchenette along with your own private bath.
Optimal Float Course $3399
4-5 Days 10 hrs of flight time, 3 hrs of ground time, 4 nights in a cabin
This is our most popular course. It’s more fun and no pressure.
Chris, a UPS pilot, took this course. He had a couple hours left after the checkride, so went exploring.
"With approximately 10,000 hours and a lot of flights, this flight I just took was a flight of a lifetime." Chris, 2011
This course is for the pilot who wants to earn a Single Engine Sea Rating, have fun, without the pressure or time constraints of the Basic Course. If you want to have more fun and take a little extra time to pass “just the minimum” skills required by the FAA’s PTS or if you want to concentrate on the mountain flying aspect of our location and experience the challenges that the other exciting lakes in the area offer, then this is the course for you.
“If you think you can!”
Basic Course $2499
3 Days 6 hrs of flight time, 2 hrs of ground time. 2 nights in a cabin
This is our original course. Would be good to be current in a Super Cub for this one.
Megan, a commuter pilot signed up for this course.
"I earned my rating, but wish I had planned more calendar days so I could go exploring, but I have to leave now.
The terrain and scenery is so phenomenal here." Megan, 2011
Adventure Flying Course $4699
This is even better — time for exploring, fly-in fishing, and aerial photography.
Justin took this course and earned his rating. He's a fairly low-time pilot.
"I really enjoyed the small group atmosphere as it made me feel like I was part of the family.
In interacting with the instructors, they were very professional while still being pretty down to earth." Justin, 2011
Alaska Floatplane Safari $4699
3 days, 12 hours of flight time, 2 nights in a lodge
This is the best of the best.This is the Adventure Course with overnight stays included. First, you’ll do a refresher on floats, and then head off to Prince William Sound or Lake Clark for your float plane Safari. Prince William Sound will include three nights lodging in Moose Pass. Lake Clark will include two nights lodging at a remote lodge. There could be an incremental fuel surcharge when flying to Lake Clark. Bear-viewing charges are additional.
Float and/or Mountain Refresher Course $999
1-2 Days 3 hours of flight time, 1 hour of ground time
This is for you if you already have your SES, or just want mountain instruction.
This course is for a pilot who has a Single Engine Sea Rating, but wants to get current on floats and experience real Alaska bush and mountain flying. Add extra time or buy two courses if you want to fly more.
Flight Review (BFR) $349
1 hour of flight time, 1 hour of ground time
Dual in Your Airplane $95/hour
You must provide proof of insurance or a liability release.
All the above prices are based on 2009 fuel cost. The surcharge added will be determined upon each fuel delivery.
Regarding insurance: This is Alaska. Alaska Float Ratings, Scenic Mountain Air, Inc., and Vern Kingsford do not carry insurance on our training aircraft. Hull insurance alone for three Super Cubs would add approximately $600 per rating. The cost is prohibitive. Safe flying has allowed us to operate for nearly 25 years without a training accident or ever hurting anyone, other than their feelings if they bust the checkride.
2012 Menu of Seaplane Lessons without Lodging
Some students tent camp, rent a motorhome, stay with friends or family, or in other accommodations nearby.
Optimal Float Course $2999
4-5 Days 10 hrs of flight time, 3 hrs of ground time; lodging not included
This is our most popular course. It’s more fun and no pressure.
"With approximately 10,000 hours and a lot of flights, this flight I just took was a flight of a lifetime." Chris, 2011
This course is for the pilot who wants to earn a Single Engine Sea Rating, have fun, without the pressure or time constraints of the Basic Course. If you want to have more fun and take a little extra time to pass “just the minimum” skills required by the FAA’s PTS or if you want to concentrate on the mountain flying aspect of our location and experience the challenges that the other exciting lakes in the area offer, then this is the course for you.
“If you think you can!”
Basic Course $2299
3 Days 6 hrs of flight time, 2 hrs of ground time; lodging not included
This is our original course. Would be good to be current in a Super Cub for this one.
Megan, a commuter pilot signed up for this course.
"I earned my rating, but wish I had planned more calendar days so I could go exploring, but I have to leave now.
You should be very current with all the basics* of flight well established. This course is for a pilot who wants to earn a Single Engine Sea Rating and experience real Alaska bush and mountain flying in the most challenging and exciting environment possible.
Adventure Flying Course $4299
5-6 Days 15 hrs of flight time, 4 hrs of ground time; lodging not included
This is even better — time for exploring, fly-in fishing, and aerial photography.
Justin took this course and earned his rating. He's a fairly low-time pilot.
"I really enjoyed the small group atmosphere as it made me feel like I was part of the family.
In interacting with the instructors, they were very professional while still being pretty down to earth." Justin, 2011
This flying experience is for the pilot who wants to earn a Single Engine Sea Rating and practice what he/she learned, or perhaps already has a rating and wants more fun float hours, or to meet insurance requirements. If you want to have time to get the most benefit and value from your Alaska Bush flying lessons, this course is for you. You will get a float refresher course plus an introduction and practice in mountain flying techniques, then take our instructor/guide with you to explore and photograph the Kenai Fjords National Park, the Harding Icefield, and Prince William Sound, or stop and fish or practice landings at the many other beautiful lakes in our area beyond the seven we use for your lessons.
Alaska Floatplane Safari $4299
3 days, 12 hours of flight time
This is the best of the best. This is the Adventure Course to explore Alaska. First, you’ll do a refresher on floats, and then head off. There could be an incremental fuel surcharge when flying in the bush. Bear-viewing charges are additional.
Float and/or Mountain Refresher Course $999
1-2 Days 3 hours of flight time, 1 hour of ground time
This is for you if you already have your SES, or just want mountain instruction.
This course is for a pilot who has a Single Engine Sea Rating, but wants to get current on floats and experience real Alaska bush and mountain flying. Add extra time or buy two courses if you want to fly more.
Flight Review (BFR) $349
1 hour of flight time, 1 hour of ground time
Dual in Your Airplane $95/hour
You must provide proof of insurance or a liability release.
All the above prices are based on 2011 fuel cost. The surcharge added will be determined upon each fuel delivery.
Regarding insurance: This is Alaska. Alaska Float Ratings, Scenic Mountain Air, Inc., and Vern Kingsford do not carry insurance on our training aircraft. Hull insurance alone for three Super Cubs would add approximately $600 per rating. The cost is prohibitive. Safe flying has allowed us to operate for nearly 25 years without a training accident or ever hurting anyone, other than their feelings if they bust the checkride.
Instruction at Lake Hood in our C-172 $350/hour
Introductory float lessons, single engine sea ratings, flight reviews.
This is a C-172 with a 180 hp engine and constant-speed prop on PeeKay floats. Fly out of the largest seaplane base in the world. Ground school is $75/hour.
* My definition of "the basics" as used here is:
An understanding of fundamental aerodynamics.
An understanding of what each control surface does and why.
The ability to coordinate with the rudder.
An awareness of the nose attitude and the ability to use it and power to control speed.
An awareness of where the airplane will go if a given trend continues (planning ahead).
The ability to use the rudder to control torque and similar effects (P-factor, etc.).