Approximately 800 Seaplane Pilots In The State Are Unable To Use Their Ratings

If you don't live in Colorado, you might be surprised to learn that there is a ban on the operation of seaplanes on state-controlled waters such as lake and rivers.

The state closed state-controlled waterways to seaplanes decades ago, citing overcrowding and the need to protect those waters from invasive species, according to a report from television station KDVR. It was first noticed by former Air Force Air Traffic Controller Ray Hawkins in 2011 when he went to renew his pilot certificate. Hawkins told the station that he wanted to add a seaplane rating to his certificate, and found that he couldn't do so. "Not only could I not get a seaplane rating in Colorado, but I couldn't even get a ride in a seaplane in Colorado," he said.

Hawkins is now the leader of the Colorado Seaplane Initiative, which hopes to convince the legislature to reverse the ban. He says there are some 800 seaplane-rated pilots in the state who are unable to use those ratings.

The ban was initially put in place by Colorado Parks and Wildlife to protect scarce water supplies from invasive species such as zebra or quagga mussels, and in fact there have been no reported tests for either in the state, according to CPW. But Hawkins and the CSI say that airplanes are far less likely to spread such invasive species than boats, which are allowed. Allowing boats to use the waterways and not seaplanes is discriminatory, he said.

A bill to repeal the ban cleared the Colorado State Senate last year, but then died in committee in the State House.

While the ban is in effect on state-controlled waters, a private seaplane base opened to the public in January outside Ordway, CO. To use the base, pilots must complete an aquatic nuisance species inspection at a ground airport before landing in the water. Hawkins says such a compromise could make it safe for seaplanes to use state-controlled waters.

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report, Colorado Seaplane Initiative