ENVIRONMENTAL
Seaplanes leave absolutely no trace of their visit. In a recent 5 year study on the environmental effects of seaplanes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who are responsible for the waterways in the U.S.A., concluded:
Air Quality: No impact
Water Quality: No impact
Soil Quality: No impact
Wildlife: No impact
Fisheries: No impact
Hydrology: No impact
Water Quality: No impact
Soil Quality: No impact
Wildlife: No impact
Fisheries: No impact
Hydrology: No impact
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service owns a large fleet of seaplanes that is used for the safe and efficient surveillance and tracking of wildlife.
The U.S. National Parks System is one of the biggest users of seaplanes in the World – it considers the seaplane essential for the management of their parks.
There are many National Parks in the U.S.A where seaplanes and boats provide the only access.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has a fleet of seaplanes which are used extensively for biological work, including sea turtle and mammal surveys. The mission of the NOAA is to describe and predict changes in the Earth's environment and to conserve and manage the U.S. coastal and marine resources.
Seaplanes are used to monitor the activities and resources in the 1,252 square mile Channel Islands Nautical Marine Sanctuary situated in the Santa Barbara channel off the coast of Southern California. The sanctuary's primary goal is the protection of the natural and cultural resources. The sanctuary is an area of national significance because of its exceptional natural beauty and resources.
The Washington State Department of Ecology employs seaplanes to sample water quality - the seaplane is the only form of transport (excluding rowing boats and kayaks) that does not contaminate their findings.
Seaplanes are one of the few forms of transport allowed on the Great Barrier Reef.
A seaplane's propeller is entirely above the water and thus does not disturb sediments or marine life, nor does it contribute to marine noise pollution.
Seaplanes generate no more than a 2-3 inch wake – not enough to be a factor in shoreline erosion.
Seaplanes do not spread non native species.
Seaplanes do not store or discharge oily bilge water or sewage.
Seaplanes do not discharge gallons of fuel and oil into the water as many other powered watercraft do (as much as three gallons per hour for a small two stroke engine)
Seaplanes do not discharge the contents of chemical toilets overboard.
Seaplanes are not treated with toxic anti-fouling paints.
The exhaust from a seaplanes engine is discharged into the air well above the waters surface where it can dissipate without impacting water quality.
Aviation fuel does not contain MTBE - a toxic additive found in automotive and marine fuel.
The floats that are in contact with the water are not treated with toxic paints, and the small trails that are left do not factor in the erosion of the banks nor disturb the animals that live on them. Seaplanes do not require exclusive use of a particular area, if required they have the ability to use alternative areas.
The U.S. National Parks System is one of the biggest users of seaplanes in the World – it considers the seaplane essential for the management of their parks.
There are many National Parks in the U.S.A where seaplanes and boats provide the only access.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has a fleet of seaplanes which are used extensively for biological work, including sea turtle and mammal surveys. The mission of the NOAA is to describe and predict changes in the Earth's environment and to conserve and manage the U.S. coastal and marine resources.
Seaplanes are used to monitor the activities and resources in the 1,252 square mile Channel Islands Nautical Marine Sanctuary situated in the Santa Barbara channel off the coast of Southern California. The sanctuary's primary goal is the protection of the natural and cultural resources. The sanctuary is an area of national significance because of its exceptional natural beauty and resources.
The Washington State Department of Ecology employs seaplanes to sample water quality - the seaplane is the only form of transport (excluding rowing boats and kayaks) that does not contaminate their findings.
Seaplanes are one of the few forms of transport allowed on the Great Barrier Reef.
A seaplane's propeller is entirely above the water and thus does not disturb sediments or marine life, nor does it contribute to marine noise pollution.
Seaplanes generate no more than a 2-3 inch wake – not enough to be a factor in shoreline erosion.
Seaplanes do not spread non native species.
Seaplanes do not store or discharge oily bilge water or sewage.
Seaplanes do not discharge gallons of fuel and oil into the water as many other powered watercraft do (as much as three gallons per hour for a small two stroke engine)
Seaplanes do not discharge the contents of chemical toilets overboard.
Seaplanes are not treated with toxic anti-fouling paints.
The exhaust from a seaplanes engine is discharged into the air well above the waters surface where it can dissipate without impacting water quality.
Aviation fuel does not contain MTBE - a toxic additive found in automotive and marine fuel.
The floats that are in contact with the water are not treated with toxic paints, and the small trails that are left do not factor in the erosion of the banks nor disturb the animals that live on them. Seaplanes do not require exclusive use of a particular area, if required they have the ability to use alternative areas.
Seaplanes and Birdlife
A myth can be soon disproved, that flight has a negative impact on birdlife. The reality is actually quite different. Seaplane usage areas, in fact have become in many cases true sanctuaries, Lake Como in Italy (Europe’s largest Seaplane base) is a true example. At the Seaplane school of Como, the situation is even more interesting, as there are is a wide variety of birdlife, more so than in other lakes where the seaplanes don’t operate.
It should also be said that pilots view birds as representations of the perfection of flight. Nature is a much more refined version of human technology thanks to thousands of years of evolution compared to only just over 100 years of flight for humans.
The safety involved in takeoffs and landing, having to avoid in-flight collisions, temperature and air density problems are problems shared by pilots and birds.
Many birds worldwide have chosen areas of Seaplane activity as their residence either permanently or seasonally. Under the docks and in the yard the birds find shelter and food and treatment when injured or ill.