Pilot Careers
I Get Paid for This…
Ben Shipps
Flying on floats: CFI and DPE Ben Shipps teaches seaplane ratings in Florida. Interview by Yayeri van Baarsen
How did you get into flying?
I grew up hearing stories of how my grandparents met at an airport and shared an enthusiasm for aviation, which sparked my interest. My dad was a private pilot. When I was 18, I did an intro flight which I loved. I never knew it’d be possible to fly for a career though. Because of my physical challenges, getting my PPL took a year – most of that time was spent getting my medical certificate. Tell us about your job?
I’m the president of Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base in Winter Haven, Florida (USA). We Flying CV have five Piper J3 Cubs, a Super Cub and a Born with limb deformities in his arms, Maule, and specialise in secondary training, Jack Brown’s president, Ben Shipps, offering a two day, single-engine, sea rating has trained nearly 1,000 students. course. Typically, we train between 400 and Started current job Joined 2011, became DPE 500 new seaplane pilots each year. As my at Jack Brown’s in 2019 responsibilities in the company have Now flying Piper PA-J3 Cub, PA-18-150, Maule M-7 Super Rocket increased, my flying has decreased, but I still Favourite aircraft deHavilland Beaver. “It’s a fly about 500 hours a year, mostly check rides. seaplane pilot’s airplane.” We don’t fly great distances. In a 10-mile Hours at job start Approx. 240 (in 2011) / radius, there are more than 100 lakes, giving Approx. 6,500 (in 2019) Hours now Approx. 8,200 us lots of diversity. Seaplane flying is low and slow, with sometimes an alligator swimming beside your floats while taxying. It feels like stepping back in time and attracts our inner adventurer. A lot less What’s been your favourite flight? regulated than other areas of aviation, it’s like the last frontier of A trip in 2012 with a student I’d trained, flying the small two-seat flying. There are many more decisions – and mistakes – to make. floatplane he’d got in Washington back to Florida. It was an Because our runway surface is ever-changing, seaplane pilots are amphibious aeroplane, so half of our stops were on water and half constantly adapting to the environment. As I’ve always had to on paved runways. Crossing the entire country in 40 hours and adapt in life, this mindset appeals to me. flying over all the different terrain, I learned so much and made Training new seaplane pilots is a big responsibility. There are no great memories. brakes on a seaplane, you’re dealing with boat traffic, and every landing is an off-airport landing. I love helping students maximise And your favourite airfield? their potential and introducing them to the floatplane community. I’m biased. F-57, the seaplane base where our flight school is All our staff members share a passion for the wonderful world of located. It’s busy during the day, with lots of seaplanes coming by. floats, making for an upbeat working environment. What’s also In the evening it’s peaceful, sitting on a rocking chair, you can see important to me is that I can fly for work, yet come home to my ospreys diving for fish and watch the sun set over the lake. family every day – there aren’t many jobs where that’s possible.
“There’s no brakes, and you’re dealing with boat traffic…”
What training did you have?
It wasn’t until I did my seaplane rating here at Jack Brown’s in 2010, that I knew I wanted to become a seaplane instructor. I immediately changed my major at Liberty University, obtaining my CPL and becoming a CFI with the sole goal of teaching in floatplanes. In 2011, I joined Jack Brown’s as a part-time instructor. In 2013, I did a summer season flying deHavilland Beavers in Alaska for a Part 135 charter company. Afterwards, I returned to Jack Brown’s. In 2019, I became the designated pilot examiner and purchased the family business together with my wife. 18 | FLYER | Summer 2021
Do you get to fly much outside of work?
Yes, and I often find myself doing exactly the same flying, with the only difference that I don’t get paid for it. My favourite part of aviation is sharing it, so I seldom fly alone. I mostly fly with friends or take my five-year-old son. I also co-own a Cherokee Six, which I use for visiting family in Venice, Florida. What’s your most valuable career advice?
Pursue something you enjoy, but do this with flexibility. Your best career path can be something you’d never considered. When I started flying, becoming a seaplane instructor wasn’t even on my radar!
