Alaska Float Ratings

Alaska Float Ratings is a flight school in Moose Pass, Alaska. It teaches pilots to fly seaplanes on floats and to fly safely in mountains. The school trains from Trail Lake, which sits on the Kenai Peninsula. The site says the school has offered this backcountry training since 1975.

The school uses Super Cub aircraft. The site says the Super Cub is the optimal aircraft for mountain flying. Training takes place in the Chugach Mountains. Students land on several mountain lakes and fly through narrow valleys. The site says the training area is within six minutes of the base and has no air traffic control.

The school sells three main courses. The float and mountain refresher course costs $1995 and includes 4 hours of flight time over 2 nights. The optimal float backcountry course costs $3995 and includes 8 hours of flight time over 3 nights. The premium float backcountry course costs $4825 and includes 10 hours of flight time over 4 nights. The checkride fee is not included in the optimal course. Extra aircraft time costs $435 per hour.

The site adds a fuel surcharge of up to $25 per hour to flight time costs. The maximum pilot weight is 250 pounds. Lodging is available. A one bedroom cabin rental adds to the course price. Larger family cabins can be arranged for an extra charge.

The school operates from June 1 to September 15. Its office is at 33702 Depot Road in Moose Pass, Alaska. The phone number is 907-416-1959. The site says students can book and pay on the website. It also lists study materials, a float flying journal, a welcome letter and aviation articles.

Reviews on the site include one from a Delta Air Lines captain. He described the instruction as thorough and professional. He said the training was one of the most rewarding experiences of his life.