In 1972, a group of seaplane pilots formed a dedicated organization with a unique purpose - to protect the water flying rights of all seaplane pilots by minimizing restrictions and opening new waters. Today, the Seaplane Pilots Association and its thousands of members have come a long way. We are the world's largest and most successful seaplane pilot organization, representing our members in dozens of seaplane access issues annually and providing numerous exclusive benefits. Some of the benefits our members enjoy include the following:

Federal, State and Local Representation
SPA members benefit from the intensive lobbying efforts of AOPA's legislative staff, our Executive Director and headquarters staff, Field Directors, and our Board of Directors. Working with agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers and state aviation departments, we help shape legislation and prevent unnecessarily restrictive regulation of public and private navigable waterways. Our successes have opened areas in California, Florida, Kansas, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Montana - to name but a few. For more information on this service, see the Advocacy Section and News Briefs.

SPA Publications
The bi-monthly Water Flying magazine features articles covering everything from pilot technique and safety to destinations and personalities. Each issue includes industry news and an update on regulatory issues across the country. The March/April issue is our "Directory Special", with flight school and float directories.

Between each issue of Water Flying, members who have provided SPA with a valid email address receive Water Flying Update, a bimonthly e-newsletter that provides recent news, advocacy updates, technical tips, upcoming events, and a tip for using SPA's web site.

Our Water Landing Directory is the only publication that combines federal, state, provincial and special agency regulations affecting seaplane operators. The directory includes waterway closures and restrictions, seaplane bases listed by state and city, informative seaplane base diagrams, customs information, flight planning charts and other miscellaneous quick-reference materials.

Members Only Web Site
Our Members Only section offers a number of valuable reference materials, including a keyword-searchable archive of select articles from Water Flying magazine, a directory of float manufacturers, seaplane operations that offer solo rental, and seaplane operators around the country.

Seaplane Insurance Program
Aircraft Hull and Liability Insurance designed especially for seaplane owners and operators, with competitive prices, reasonable deductibles and a plain language policy that is individually underwritten.

Technical Referral Services

We're here to answer your questions about ownership, maintenance, pilot and seaplane certification, insurance, and legal matters. If we can't answer your question ourselves, we'll find the answer or refer you to someone who can.

Special Information Mailings
Don't be caught off-guard when regulators strike. Seaplanes have a funny way of sneaking onto city council agendas and legislative floors. Our mailings and updates in Water Flying magazine are just the thing to keep you in the loop.

Car Rental Discounts
Substantial discounts from Avis and Hertz Rent-A-Car.

SPA Insignia Items
Clothing, decals, and gift items bearing the blue and white SPA logo are all available, in addition to useful books on water flying, for sale through our SPA headquarters in Lakeland, at most major seaplane fly-ins, and via our Catalog.

Affinity MasterCard
Featuring the SPA logo and no annual fee from MBNA. Use the card that supports SPA!

Not a member?
Join today and start taking advantage of everything we have to offer!