The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) plans to proceed with rulemaking to allow seaplane landings in the coming months on Buckeye Lake, Indian Lake, Long Lake, and Salt Fork Reservoir (see map), and even more in the future.
In December 2015, officials with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Seaplane Pilots Association held meetings in Columbus with members of the Ohio legislature, as well as officials from Gov. John Kasich’s administration, to discuss how to go about making Ohio more friendly to seaplanes.
“AOPA believes protecting the freedom to fly means protecting the freedom to fly from the water,” said AOPA President Mark Baker, who also serves on the board of SPA. “Many of my greatest experiences in aviation come from flying seaplanes and we are fortunate to have members and advocates like State Sen. Bill Coley. We will continue to work with the Seaplane Pilots Association and other groups to increase access across the country.”
Coley, who is a pilot and AOPA member, said the rule change should increase tourism and emphasized Ohio’s aviation history.
“As the birthplace of aviation, it is incumbent upon us to make our state a place that welcomes aviation enthusiasts,” he said.
Ohio officials held a press conference to announce the expansion of seaplane access at Grand Lake St. Marys, the only lake in Ohio currently open to seaplane landings.
Jim Priest, the Ohio field director for SPA and an AOPA member since 1960, has long advocated for greater seaplane access. Priest said the rule change “puts Ohio on an equal basis with other states.”
Priest, who flies a Grumman Widgeon, also thanked the Ohio Legislature and ODNR for their cooperation.
“As the home to the Wright brothers and the birthplace of aviation, Ohio is continually looking for ways we can increase our opportunities for aviation to grow in our state,” said ODNR Director James Zehringer. “Working to add more inland lakes where seaplanes can land will benefit Ohioans from both an aviation and tourism standpoint.”
I live in Illinois and would love to love to fly a float plane. Anyone know where in Illinois it is legal to land a float plane? Are the main rivers open to such, such as the Illinois River? I think the Chain of Lakes is legal but not sure if it is just in a special location.
Is there a map showing where it is legal to land in each state.
The Seaplane Pilots Association has that information for all states.
They neglected to show the published seaplane landing area on the Maumee River in Toledo. The river is not controlled by the state, however, so that may be why.
Great news! After WW-II the nations largest dealer for the Republic SeaBee was Richland Aviation in
Mansfield, OH. Charles Mill Reservoir was open for training and demonstrations. Hopefully it may once again be float friendly. Ohio has a fine history of making landing sites available. In the 1960’s, Governor Jim Rhodes launched a program to see that every county in the State had a runway “a business jet could land on”! He accomplished that goal and Ohio is now well served with a chain of county/municipal airports. In an age of shrinking airfields it is awesome to read this news.