Floatplanes and the speed limit

DBreskin · 08-18-2013, 07:55 AM

It is my understanding that floatplanes must follow boating laws whenever they are in contact with the water, even if they are on step about to become airborne. In the FAA Seaplane handbook (found here: http://www.faa.gov/regulations_polic...-8083-23-2.pdf) I found this sentence: "Seaplanes operating inshore of the boundary line dividing the high seas from the inland waters must follow the established statutory Inland Rules (Pilot Rules)."

Floatplanes must comply with boating right of way rules, and if they are considered boats when in contact with the water I assume they should also be subject to the Lake Winnipesaukee speed limit. If they can't go faster than 45mph when in contact with the water, how can they legally take off?

My brief search hasn't uncovered a definitive answer. Can anyone here offer an educated opinion or point to a documented answer?

Lakegeezer · 08-18-2013, 08:41 AM

Back in 2005, there was a good thread on this topic. Skip posted this, which implies that the speed limit is not an issue while taking off or landing. However, part II makes things a bit vague.

Until the first plane is successfully fined for speeding, I wouldn't worry about it. My take (IMNAL) is that they can be restricted from arriving or departing a body of water, but if allowed, they don't have to worry about the speed limit while doing so.

TITLE XXXIX
AERONAUTICS
CHAPTER 422
NEW HAMPSHIRE AERONAUTICS ACT
Prohibitions and Penalties
Section 422:27
422:27 Seaplanes in Operation on Public Waters. –
I. All seaplanes shall be considered boats while in operation on the waters of the state and shall be subject to the marine rules of navigation, except that they shall be exempt from all laws and rules concerning the operation of boats for the purpose of landing and taking off from such public waters.
II. The operation of seaplanes shall be subject to any restrictions placed upon the use of public waters by rules adopted by the department of safety or the department of environmental services.
Source. 2002, 6:1, eff. July 1, 2002.

Seaplane Pilot · 08-18-2013, 04:54 PM

A float plane (or seaplane) can also take off in a no-wake zone and will not be breaking any laws.

08-18-2013, 07:55 AM	#1
DBreskin Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Wolfeboro NH Posts: 283 Thanks: 143 Thanked 121 Times in 76 Posts	Floatplanes and the speed limit It is my understanding that floatplanes must follow boating laws whenever they are in contact with the water, even if they are on step about to become airborne. In the FAA Seaplane handbook (found here: http://www.faa.gov/regulations_polic...-8083-23-2.pdf) I found this sentence: "Seaplanes operating inshore of the boundary line dividing the high seas from the inland waters must follow the established statutory Inland Rules (Pilot Rules)." Floatplanes must comply with boating right of way rules, and if they are considered boats when in contact with the water I assume they should also be subject to the Lake Winnipesaukee speed limit. If they can't go faster than 45mph when in contact with the water, how can they legally take off? My brief search hasn't uncovered a definitive answer. Can anyone here offer an educated opinion or point to a documented answer?

08-18-2013, 08:41 AM	#2
Lakegeezer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 1,692 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 356 Thanked 646 Times in 294 Posts	discussed before Back in 2005, there was a good thread on this topic. Skip posted this, which implies that the speed limit is not an issue while taking off or landing. However, part II makes things a bit vague. Until the first plane is successfully fined for speeding, I wouldn't worry about it. My take (IMNAL) is that they can be restricted from arriving or departing a body of water, but if allowed, they don't have to worry about the speed limit while doing so. TITLE XXXIX AERONAUTICS CHAPTER 422 NEW HAMPSHIRE AERONAUTICS ACT Prohibitions and Penalties Section 422:27 422:27 Seaplanes in Operation on Public Waters. – I. All seaplanes shall be considered boats while in operation on the waters of the state and shall be subject to the marine rules of navigation, except that they shall be exempt from all laws and rules concerning the operation of boats for the purpose of landing and taking off from such public waters. II. The operation of seaplanes shall be subject to any restrictions placed upon the use of public waters by rules adopted by the department of safety or the department of environmental services. Source. 2002, 6:1, eff. July 1, 2002. __________________ -lg

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Lakegeezer For This Useful Post:
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08-18-2013, 04:54 PM	#3
Seaplane Pilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,177 Thanks: 663 Thanked 943 Times in 368 Posts	A float plane (or seaplane) can also take off in a no-wake zone and will not be breaking any laws.