TRAINING

Seabee Home


This section is dedicated to training information. Below are Flight Instructors and training aids. We hope these are helpful for the new Seabee pilots as well as the ol' veteran Bee Bopper. Some of the files listed below are Adobe Acrobat files.

E-mail us if you have any training stuff you can share that has helped you.

If you need Acrobat Reader get it here.


Get Acrobat Reader!

Membership Kit:
We have a package deal for members that includes everything a New Seabee Owner
(or anyone else for that matter) would need to learn how to fly the Republic Seabee and stay current.
All manuals and articles are retyped for clarity and ease of reading and printing.

The kit includes:

Printed Training and Reference Manual - 5 chapters and 3 spare chapters (5½" x 8
½" Jeppessen size 3-ring binder)
    Chapter 1     - Republic Seabee Owners Manual            (58 pages, Original)
    Chapter 2     - Seabee Familiarization                           (8 pages)
    Chapter 3     - Seabee Seamanship                              (8 pages)
    Chapter 4     - Seabee Training Guide                           (90 pages)
    Chapter 5     - Franklin and Lycoming GO-480 operation (5 pages)
    Chapter 6-8  - Extra chapters for your own use for future reference material.

2 Seabee Disks
Seabee DVD and
                           Seabee Newsletters CD from the past (about 100 newsletters!)

Choice of: Seabee Hat
, Coffee Mug, Seabee Toolbag or Seabee T-shirt (see all of them here)


Cost is only $75 U.S. dollars. Shipping is included.

If you are interested, please e-mail me and I will provide the Kit for you.

Training Manuals

Note: The Flight Manual listed below is the original flight manual. Some of the information is obviously obsolete. Use care and be sure you use the most accurate information for your airplane!

Original Republic Seabee Flight manual (5 parts - Adobe Acrobat® .pdf files)
    Part 1: Introduction and Specifications  (694 KB)
    Part 2: Operating Your Seabee  (649 KB)
    Part 3: Systems  (2.50 MB)
    Part 4: Care and Maintenance (1.86 MB)
    Part 5: Inspection  
(1.09 MB)

Seaplane Operations - Chapter 15 from FAA Handbook (Chapter 16 in new FAA-H-8083-3) - (217 KB)
This is from the old FAA Flight Manual. The new manual has the same information; different chapter as noted above.

Seaplane Safety for Part 91 Operators - FAA AC 91-69a. A good refresher for us "salty dogs".

Seabee Training Syllabus (by Steve Mestler) Use at your own risk! (692 KB)
This is a lesson plan syllabus mainly for instructors but can be used by students.

Seabee Training Guide (by Steve Mestler) Use at your own risk! (2.1 MB)
This is a guide for students and instructors alike. It includes the syllabus above. Updated 3-20-2016.

Seabee Original Checklist (Republic Aviation) (61 KB)
Original checklist courtesy of Jim Poel

Original Seabee Pilot's Checklist (Republic Aviation) (2.2 MB)

Buy other Seabee Manuals here! (Essco Aircraft)
These are photo copies of the original Seabee manuals. Quality is fair to good. Twin Seabee manual too!

Training Articles

Weight and Balance (by Bruce Hinds) A spreadsheet making the weight and balance computation a breeeze.
                                  Note: You must insert YOUR engine oil arm, empty weight, arm and moment before an accurate results (see sample here).

Locking Tail Wheel (by Bruce Hinds) An excellent explanation of the earlier Locking Tail Wheel system. Well worth reading.

Seabee Notes (by ?) This was found in a box of stuff I got with a Seabee project I bought. Some good information here. Author unknown.


Water Handling the Stock Seabee - Again, author unknown. Some good information but it doesn't cover everything!

Seaplane Safety (FAA AC 91-69a)

Seabee Seamanship (Anonymous-If you know who wrote this, let me know!)

Seabee Familiarization (by
Capt. Richard W. Sanders). Get the PDF version here!

Seabee Beaching and Ramping (by Don Kyte)

Seabee Water and Land Techniques (author unknown but member Bruce Hinds sent it) if you know who wrote this let me know. 

Knots for all Occassions Tying knots for your Seabee (Reprinted from Lehigh Group instructions)

How to make an Eye Loop at the end of a rope (youtube video) Great for tiedowns or making a "Jim Rope". Here's a better video (MP4).

Franklin Engine Operation (by Jim Poel)

So you have a GO-480? (by Chris Schuermann)  Check his Aero Commander website!

A bit about Bendix-Stromberg pressure carburetors? (by Chris Schuermann)

NTSB Accident Reports - Courtesy of AOPA. Find any fixed wing accident report. 29 reported Seabee accidents in the last 27 years. Not too bad!


INSTRUCTORS
NOTE: The following is far from a complete list of persons offering dual instruction on the RC-3 and UC-1 Seabees. If you know of one in your area, would you please forward the info for publication. We have quite a few inquiries! We invite CFI,s and flight schools to send us their addresses and telephone numbers. Thanks!
ASSOCIATES & OLD TIMERS
NOTE: We welcome the people listed below, while not Seabee Owners, they are united in their common love for this remarkable old Amphibian. Some are former owners, Old Timers (OT), and others are learning to fly, while still others are planning to buy a Seabee in the future.
Jones Brothers
Need a Seaplane Rating? Checkout Jones Brothers in Tavares, Florida. Rob Galloway runs the place and gives first class service! Check their website here.

Cessna 185 and Maule. All straight floats. J-3 cub is coming!

Tavares is one of the few Seaplane oriented cities in the USA!
Very seaplane friendly. Ramps are avaiable for amphibs and plenty of dock facilities. You will love it!
Your stuff here!
SEAPLANE TRAINING

To any RC-3 Owners, I am a CFI/SES/ATP looking to fly an RC-3. Would prefer someone located in the NV/AZ water regions of Lake Mead, Colorado River, Havasu, or Parker Dam. I'll buy the gas and the groceries.

Thanks
Jefferson Brooks
skyranch@gmx.com
Your stuff here!
MULTI ENGINE SEAPLANE TRAINING
Hello my name is Tanner Scooter Mainero and I just moved to Kodiak, Alaska. Over the past dew years I have been teaching in a twin bee in FL for Jack Browns and Jones Brothers seaplanes. If you know of anyone that needs help in their plane I am happy to do so! Please call with any Questions.

Tanner Scooter Mainero
720-244-9543
Your stuff here!
SEABEE TRAINING and INSURANCE letter
Just got my CFI and CFII reissued (after 35 years!) so if you need a few hours to brush up on the Ol' Seabee or a Flight Review, give me a call. No primary students.

$250/hr for 3 flight hours or less. $200/hour for over 3 flight hours. No ground school charges or additional charges, ever. All materials provided.

Contact Steve Mestler at (803) 446-1224 cell or smestler@pbtcomm.net
Your stuff here!
MULTI ENGINE SEAPLANE TRAINING
Need a Multi-Engine Seaplane rating or just some additional training?
(In a Twin Seabee)

Contact Mr. Eric Weaver at the address below.

www.mesrating.com

Eric Weaver
1724 S. Highland Park Drive
Lake Wales, FL  33898
(863) 241-1442
Your stuff here!
Richard & Susan Kleva
P.O Box 32
Point Pleasant, Pennsylvania 18950
(215) 297-5201
(732) 618-1454 

SAM RICHARDSON

I live in Portland, Oregon. I just attended the Columbia Seaplane Pilots annual meeting out in Sandee River Oregon in my Seabee and I had several inquiries about flight instruction? Could you fellows please place my name on the IRSOC websight as a flight instructor for the Seabee. I'm an ATP,CFI with 24,000 hours, 4000 instructing, and around 250 in the Bee. I have owned 3 Seabees and hold A@P/IA ratings and instruct in all types high performance aircraft including warbirds, current on the B-25. Over the past several years I have heard from Bruce Hinds and others that a good Seabee check out guy was needed here in the Northwest. I'm retired from the airlines
and am available from April through September most years. More people seem to be turning up with a Bee that have no idea whats in store for them, some with no tail dragger endorsement or training. I'd like to help keep them safe.

Thanks for your consideration. G.P. Sam Richardson czechride@canby.com
LARRY MULALLY

1203 Birch Pond Trail
White Bear Lake, MN  5110-4147
TEL (612) 426-5654
Email lmull@skypoint.com
TIM BASTIAN

My situation has changed a bit but I am still available for instruction in the RC-3. If you have anyone who needs a checkout or instruction please have them contact me at N714X@yahoo.com or by phone at (423) 618-0664. My work schedule varies quite a bit but I can usually make time to work with students with a little advanced planning. E-Mail is by far the easiest way to contact me because I'm am out of the country allot and don't check the phone messages as often as I should.

I have a little over 14000 hours total time more than 7000 hours of flight instruction given with over 300 in the RC-3 most of which has been instruction given.

Updated 4/1/2007
MARK HELSETH

5709 McGuire Road
Edina, MN 55439

E-mail mhelseth@mn.rr.com
BROWN'S SEAPLANE BASE

Lake Jessie
Winter Haven, FL
Twin Seabee Instructon UC-1
See Brown's Website.
Tel: (941) 956-2243

VERN BARTLEY

62525 Eagle Road
Bend, OR  97701
Tel (541) 389 3955
Email vbartley@scmc.org
DEAN SCOTT, CFI

New Orleans, LA
PH (504) 464-1972  Email scottypotty16@hotmail
Single & Twin Seabee Instruction
Also Cessnas; Widgeons; Goose
KENNETH BUTTI

201 Bassett Street
Petaluma, CA  94952
TEL 707 763-0276
Email kbutti@fssd.com ( 8 to5 )
Email kbutti@mediamessage.com (Home)
SKIP NEIDHART, CFI

S.P.S. OF PALM COAST INC.
P.O.BOX 521
Flagler Beach, FL  32136
TEL: 1 (800) 541-6923
OR (904) 437-7238
REPUBLIC SEABEE UC-1 TWIN $295.00 per hr.
Email spsflag@pcfl.net

JACK E. THOMAS  (OT)

Bay City, Mi
Partner in Seabee N6333K S/N---
Sold -----19--
Email jethomas@concentric.net

PAUL FURNEE, CFI

Winter Haven Airport
Winter.Haven, FL
Tel: (941) 299-4655
HERBERT S. NORRIS (OT)

236 NW Wildwood Lane
Bremerton, WA  98311 1925
Commercial pilot C#1247949 Single-Eng.Land&Sea.
Flight instructor. Retired 1977.
Favorite plane was Republic Seabee
Ret. US Civil Service Dept. of Navy
Email herbsn@tscnet.com
GENE LETTER, CFI

47 Aspen Street
Daytona Beach, FL 32124
Tel: (386) 255-5044
KENNETH R. HARBISON and MICHAEL HARBISON

Want to buy Seabee (Lycoming preferred) or Seabee Project. Any and all considered.
P.O. Box 2376
Corona, CA  92878-2376
TEL: (909) 279-9971
Email: None
BARRY LAWRENCE, CFI

Petaluma, CA
Note! Will travel
Tel: (707) 795-2376
DAVID HOFFMEISTER

South Coppell Road
Coppell, TX  75019
Hopes to buy Seabee!

E-mail:
david.hoffmeister@verizon.net
ARTHUR STIFEL, CFI

Adventure Air, Inc.
Sebring, Florida
Instructs on Seabees, Lakes, Widgeons
Arthur will travel
Phone: 1 (863) 273-0910
EMAIL ARTHUR at stifela@gmail.com or adventureairinc@gmail.com
DAN KRUETZFELDT

2 Hillside Drive
Taylors, SC  29687
Dan is an ATP and Executive Jet Pilot
Wants to buy Franklin Seabee. Wants info on five seat conversion and Franklin Modifications.
Email [currently NG]
TURNER FLYING SERVICE

Fort Myers, Florida
See Mike Turner CFI
Experienced Seabee Instruction, Plus
Seaplane ratings in Maule-7 260B
Check our website!
CONTACT MIKE: flyamphibs@aol.com
WOODY CANNON

7012 North Ridge Drive
Raleigh, NC  27615
TEL: (919) 872-4875
SPA #1116

EMAIL 
wcannon@nc.rr.com
LOUIS MANYAK

Gallipolis, Ohio 45634
CFI, A/P, ATP, IA
Louis provides Instruction and Service on Seabees.
CONTACT LOUIS: maniakl@zoomnet.net
Tel:(740) 441-4139

DR. PETER COWLEY

CMS PROJECT
1001 G. Street
Suite 400W
Washington, DC

DR. Cowley is on assignment in
Kampala, Uganda. Tel# 256-41-348-330
He is currently studying the Seabee with an eye to buying one in the future
EMAIL pcowley@cmsproject.co.ug
JON C. WHIDBY

JCW Aviation
1631 Leonard Pruitt Road
Dahlonega, GA 30533

Phone: (706) 344-8897
Fax: (706) 864-3624
email: jwhidby@alltel.net


BOB ACKERSON

15 East Street
Shenevus, NY 12155
TEL: (607) 638-9344
EMAIL rackerson@stny.rr.com
Bob is a historian and compiling info on Seabees and owners experiences. Please write him at above address, if you have an unusual Seabee story.
Your stuff here! BILL SCHUTZLER

5825 Rogers
Tecumseh, Mi 49286
TEL: (517) 423-8911
EMAIL bschutz@tc3.net.com
Bill recently owned twin-bonanza and now likes to think, Seabee.

SEABEE HOME

Back to Top

Updated April 30, 2017 (Updated Lou Manyak info, Removed Hangar A, Added Jones Brothers Co., Added Weight and Balance, Updated Checkout Guide, Added Locking Tail Wheel article)