Float planes ATC phraseology

[Nuno Santos]

Hi, this isn't directly related to PE but since we have so many great controllers here I thought I would ask. What would be the correct phraseology from ATC when controlling a float plane on approach near a towered airport (within a C or a D airspace) for landing on the water? Cleared to land? Cleared to water land? Clear to ditch?

Sorry if this is a dumb question but it's something that just came to my mind and I am curious to know the answer. Thanks.

[julio.elizalde]

Whenever curious about what we need to abide to, check out the FAA 7110.65 - it's the holy bible for ATC.

From what I see there, there aren't any landing/takeoff phraseology differences between land and seaplanes. There are some provisions for specific departure and arrival separation requirements for sea lanes.

The only tower I know of where these things would come into effect would be Honolulu. They have two active sea lanes there.

I assume that landing phraseology would be "N123AB, Sea lane 4, cleared to land." I'd love to hear my colleagues input as well, since this is something that is rarely discussed given how few sea lanes are controlled.

[kullery]

Interesting article regarding operations at Vancouver waterfront. Unfortunately, liveatc.net does not have coverage of CYHC.

http://airchive.com/blog/2013/07/28/ins ... ouver-yhc/

[FrigginGuy]

This is an interesting topic for me. I live in Seattle, so float planes are a big thing around here and I definitely hope to fly them one day. It would be cool if PE did something with these. If nothing else maybe we could have a 'float-in' one weekend somewhere and hang out on a CTAF!

[Pieces]

I don't have any answers, but there is a seaplane base really close to KMLI (I04). The A/FD indicates that you must have approval from KMLI tower before doing anything.

http://skyvector.com/?ll=41.44879980241 ... 301&zoom=1

http://www.liveatc.net/search/?icao=KMLI

KMLI is on liveatc, so maybe you could find a recording of some interactions with I04 traffic?

*EDIT* The sectional indicates that the E runway is right traffic, so the traffic pattern is literally over KMLI.

[Peter Grey]

Hello,

I actually have a seaplane rating (lots of fun), I never operated at a towered airport, but here is how some of this works from an ATC point of view.

At airports with established "sea lanes" (water based runways) they are treated like any other runway for ATC purposes, some technical separations are a little different and there is no holding short (you can't fully stop a seaplane on the water without an engine shutdown).

At airports where there just happens to be water in the airspace that is not a movement area, there is no official guidance but you are likely to be treated like a helicopter landing off field.

This means you'll get a "transition approved", a possible reminder that the landing is at your own risk as it isn't a movement area, and a "report landing assured" so we know when you're done talking to us. All of this is subject to change based on the controller working, but ATC can't clear you to land on anything other then a runway.

Takeoffs are treated the same, if possible a call to ATC before liftoff (if not immediately after per the FARs), which will lead to an approved transition out of the airspace.

[Keith Smith]

Juneau, AK has a water runway and is a towered airport. Wonder if they have an atc feed.

My original response was longer, but PG beat me to it

[Tim Krajcar]

Juneau, AK has a water runway and is a towered airport. Wonder if they have an atc feed.

PHNL has one too, and does have feeds.

[Nuno Santos]

Thanks guys, lots of stuff to read and listen to, I knew I was asking this in the right place.