But in the highly sanitized and technical world of commercial flying, seaplane pilots feel they offer the last vestiges of flying's romance.

Being a seaplane pilot is a hard living, but for those who love it, it is hard living without it.

Charles Ford, a young seaplane pilot and resident of Zeballos, wrote:

By the middle of 1913, the navy had 11 seaplane pilots.

Dinner Key was the second largest naval air facility in the U.S. and was used to train seaplane pilots.

Ark Royal was recommissioned in 1930 to serve as a training ship for seaplane pilots and to evaluate aircraft catapult operations and techniques.

The main problem now was lack of the very high level of experience and competence required of seaplane pilots

"Fleet has a lot more shuttle pilots than seaplane pilots," the pilot said, spreading his hands.

He is also an instrument-rated pilot, seaplane pilot and Explorers Club Fellow.

I've heard bodies were discovered on the ferry and that the seaplane pilot returned on time.