Floatplanes and amphibious aircraft are a world of their own within general aviation. A straight-float aircraft lands and takes off from water only — it cannot use a conventional runway without a ground-handling dolly. An amphibious aircraft adds retractable wheels so it operates from both water and paved or grass runways, making it far more practical for pilots who want versatility. Common types you'll find on the market include Cessna 172s and 182s on Edo or Wipaire floats, Cessna 180s and 185s (the workhorses of Alaskan bush flying), Piper Super Cubs and PA-18s on EDO 2000s, De Havilland Beavers and Otters (the classic high-capacity bush haulers), the Lake Amphibian series (a purpose-built amphib in the light-aircraft category), and newer designs like the ICON A5. Maule aircraft on floats are also popular in the lower-48 backcountry.
Flying floatplanes requires a separate FAA rating — the Single-Engine Sea (SES) add-on to a Private or Commercial certificate — which typically takes 5–20 hours of dual instruction depending on prior experience. The rating is earned on a specific type of float-equipped aircraft and covers water taxi, docking, takeoff and landing technique, and the regulations specific to seaplane operations. Float time does not count toward land-aircraft ratings, and seaplane training schools cluster where the aircraft are most popular: the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, British Columbia), Alaska, Maine, Minnesota's lake country, and Florida's coastal areas. Ownership follows a similar geography — if there is no suitable water within practical range of your home airport, the utility drops significantly.
Pre-purchase inspection on a floatplane is specialized work. Beyond the airframe inspection you'd do on any used aircraft, a float-experienced A&P should check float skin condition for corrosion and impact damage, the watertight integrity of all compartments (a float log shows the history of repairs), keel and step condition, water-rudder cables, strut seals, and the hardware that attaches the float to the aircraft. Salt-water operations accelerate corrosion dramatically and should be noted in the logs. Ask where the aircraft has been based and whether it's been on salt water. A pre-buy from a shop that routinely works seaplanes — ideally one familiar with the specific type and float system — is worth more than a standard annual-style review on a water-based aircraft.
