Get Your Wheels Wet in a Seaplane!
Jason Bensley, Assistant Chief Flight Instructor, answers questions on UND’s Seaplane Course.
FAQs
What kind of Seaplane do we operate?
UND has a CubCrafters Top Cub. It features 180 hp Lycoming engine, a McCauley 82″ climb prop, and Wipline 2100A amphibious floats!
When did we get the Seaplane?
The Top Cub was donated in 2005 by James Ray. It has been operated on floats and wheels by UND both in Grand Forks and in Crookston, where UND operated an extension site in cooperation with the University of Minnesota Crookston until 2019. During its tenure, it has logged thousands of hours and over 10,700 landings.
How can students take this course? What ratings can they get?
Students should enroll in our one-credit course. For more information, visit seaplane.aero.und.edu and fill out the student interest form. The course is in very high demand, and we only have ten seats available each year. There is no ground school, so to complete the course, they just have to do their flying. The course is taught under part 61, so students take their checkride with an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner. They can obtain their Airplane – Single Engine Sea (ASES) rating to their existing Private or Commercial Pilot Certificate, though we recommend waiting until after they’ve completed their Commercial Pilot training before taking the seaplane course.
Where does the seaplane fly?
We have our own practice area to the southeast, which contains four lakes we use for training: Maple Lake, Lake Sarah, Oak Lake, and Union Lake.
How many students have gotten their seaplane rating through UND?
We’ve given seaplane training to 200+ students over the years.
Where is the aircraft stored?
The airplane is hangared and operated out of Crookston Municipal Airport due to its close proximity to the lakes.
Do you have any fun facts about this course?
Our longest-standing seaplane CFI currently instructing was given his floatplane instruction by John Odegard!
Do you have any fun stories from flying the Seaplane?
I’ve never had a bird strike in the seaplane, but I have had a fish strike. We were starting the takeoff, and while at a relatively low speed, the fish jumped out of the water and hit the wing strut. Both the plane and the fish (as far as I know) were unharmed.
