Alaska Float Ratings, Alaska, United States

5Kristoffer N 5:00 PM Jul 2, 2019

Great choice for any scenic or professional instruction flights
Professional airline jet pilot and ex instructor here. Verne has got an absolutely excellent outfit here. He was able to provide a short introductory float plane flight for myself whilst my travel party were whisked away on a great scenic flight. His instructors are professional, knowledgeable, friendly and all business. The aircraft are well kept just like the rest of the facilities. We were provided with exactly what we requested. My instructor knew exactly where to go for the weather to get the most flying for my $. Having been on both sides of both small fans large flying schools and airlines, I can highly recommend Verne and AFR. For anyone who is new to general aviation (aka little planes) they are limited by weather more so than large aircraft, so we had great results by calling ahead and discussing our requirements! The old saying -“if you have time to spare, go by air” springs to mind. Definitely worth a visit!

5jgrits 5:00 PM Jun 19, 2019

Best Flying Experience with an Incredible Scenery Bonus!
Two friends and I came here for five days. I came to get my SES add-on to my PPL, one friend with ATP/Multi/Rotor/instrument, thousands of hours, several turbine type ratings, and a 20-year-old SES came to brush up on his skills, and the other is a beginning Student Pilot working on his Private. First and foremost, I learned more about flying in the five days I spent at AFR than I 've learned in the past 35 years of recreational piloting. And while I may not fly floats often after I leave here, the skills and knowledge I have acquired here, so critical to solid and safe floatplane piloting, will serve me in literally every other aspect of my land-based flying. AFR has it all; solid airplanes (Super Cubs, 172, 206), experienced and skillful instructors who are there because they love to teach and not because they're trying to build hours, an owner who REALLY cares about my safety once he turns me loose out of here (and is a bit eccentric, but direct and friendly--the kind of person with whom I typically become friends. The bonus part about doing your SES here at AFR is the scenery and the chance to do (and LEARN) some real mountain flying at the same time. You will spend your lessons hopping in and out of some of the most gorgeous lakes anywhere, and if you extend your package just a bit, you can really get out and see glaciers, ice fields and the Seward seashore in stunning, up-close detail! A word about reviews from offended folks--Get over yourself. Are you coming here to made to feel good, or to learn how to really fly, from the best? Being offended is your personal choice...if you can't put that away during your time here, quite simply, don't come. At $4,000 or more, it's a serious investment and the only thing I care about is leaving here a better, safer pilot. I didn't come here spending that kind of dough to be coddled or have my feelings massaged. Hands down, if you're considering your float rating, or your just in the middle or early stages of your Private Pilot's License, consider spending some time with Vern and his crew--It will serve you the rest of your days on the stick or behind the yoke. I guarantee it!