Quality Score
Limited Data
Base (15) + components above = 38
About
San Diego Seaplanes offers seaplane tours, rides, and flight instruction in Southern California, including tours of San Diego Bay, Catalina Island, Long Beach, and Baja California. Operating since 1982, they provide seaplane training courses, flight reviews, and dual instruction in a 6-passenger Helio Courier amphibian.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helio H-250 (Courier) (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $450 – $1,800/hr | $31,500 – $126,000 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $30 – $120/hr | $1,250 – $5,050 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $30 – $110/hr | $550 – $2,200 |
| Estimated Total Range | $33,300 – $133,200 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at San Diego Seaplanes is estimated to cost $33,300 – $133,200. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, San Diego Seaplanes operates under Part 61. Training is self-paced: you and your instructor set the curriculum rather than following a pre-approved syllabus. The FAA minimum for a Private Pilot Certificate under Part 61 is 40 flight hours, though most students need 60 to 70.
No, San Diego Seaplanes does not have a Designated Pilot Examiner on staff. When you're ready for your checkride, you'll need to book with an independent DPE. Ask the school if they can point you to one nearby.
San Diego Seaplanes trains in the Helio H-250 (Courier). Contact the school for current availability and hourly rental rates.
No flight simulators are listed for San Diego Seaplanes. Some schools have basic Aviation Training Devices that may not be in our database. Ask them directly.
No, San Diego Seaplanes does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.
Contact
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