On 2007-06-15 10:57:02 -0700, pittss1c said:

I was wondering, does one require a seaplane rating to operate and
amphibian for land?

"Seaplane" is not defined precisely in the regulations. The regulations
only establish airworthiness standards for operations on water. Part
23, for example, says that seaplanes and amphibians must demonstrate
safe operation at a maximum wave height (kind of like maximum
demonstrated crosswind component). The FAA definitely considers an
amphibian to be a seaplane, however. Consider this bit from the Part 61
FAQs:

"QUESTION: A flight instructor in our district wants to know if he
needs an airplane/single-engine sea rating in order to give instrument
instruction in a Lake Buccaneer amphibian. There is some debate here in
our office. I cite ¤61.195(c) as making it a requirement for the
instructor to hold an airplane/single-engine sea. Can you shed some
light on this for us?
ANSWER: Reference ¤61.195(c). YES; As it states in ¤61.195(c), Ò . .
hold an instrument rating on his or her flight instructor certificate
and pilot certificate that is appropriate to the category and CLASS OF
AIRCRAFT in which instrument training is being provided." YES, a flight
instructor would have to hold an airplane single-engine sea rating on
his or her pilot certificate.
Some of you may have seen some of the past policy interpretations on
this kind of question, but ¤61.195(c) got changed on August 4, 1997 so
those policy interpretations are no longer valid. The new ¤61.195(c)
applies. As per ¤61.195(c), a person would have to hold an airplane
single-engine sea rating on his or her pilot certificate.
{Q&A-119}
QUESTION: Regarding FAR 61.195(c). The confusion arises about the
"instrument rating that is appropriate to the category and class of
aircraft". What is the intent or meaning here, instrument is not class
specific. Seems like it would be enough to say "...must hold an
instrument rating on his or her flight instructor certificate and pilot
certificate that is appropriate to the category of aircraft in which
instrument training is being provided."
Perhaps an example would help illustrate the issue. Could an instrument
rated instructor (CFII) give instrument instruction in a multiengine
airplane if the instructor did not have a multiengine instructor rating
or a multiengine
rating on their commercial pilot certificate? The traditional answer to
this question has been yes...but, make sure you don't get into the
realm of multiengine instruction by pulling an engine or doing
something else that would require multiengine skills. Has this changed
with FAR 61.195(c)? ANSWER: Reference ¤61.195(c), it states: (c)
Instrument Rating. A flight instructor who provides instrument flight
training for the issuance of an instrument rating or a type rating not
limited to VFR must hold an instrument rating on his or her flight
instructor certificate and pilot certificate that is appropriate to the
category and class of aircraft in which instrument training is being
provided.
In reference to your specific question, the answer is NO. A person that
does not hold an airplane multiengine rating on his pilot and flight
instructor certificate shall not give instrument training in a
multiengine airplane.
{Q&A-111} "

Now is it clear as mud? The question does not address anything except
whether a flight instructor with no seaplane rating may give
instruction in an amphibian. The followup answer using multiengine as
an example seems contradictory.

However, I think from reading this is that the FAA considers amphibians
to be both sea and land planes and that anyone acting as PIC in them
needs the appropriate category and class ratings. IOW, you have to have
both ASEL and ASES ratings when flying as PIC of a Lake Buccaneer. When
flying an amphibian, I log both land and sea plane time (for whatever
it is worth).
--
Waddling Eagle
World Famous Flight Instructor