Ohio officials have announced the state will begin to take steps to open more bodies of water to seaplanes and their pilots.
In the coming months, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is planning to proceed with rulemaking to allow seaplane landings on Buckeye Lake, Indian Lake, Long Lake and Salt Fork Reservoir, and more in the future.
The state has been getting help and encouragement from both AOPA and the Seaplane Pilots Association (SPA). AOPA President Mark Baker, an avid seaplane pilot himself, said, “AOPA believes protecting the freedom to fly means protecting the freedom to fly from the water.” Baker also serves on the board of SPA.
Ohio legislators expect that opening more lakes to seaplanes will increase tourism, and it seems especially fitting to expand access, as the Buckeye State holds a special place in aviation history as home to the Wright Brothers.
How many bodies of water are currently seaplane-friendly in the great state of Ohio? Just one: Grand Lake St. Mary’s.
Learn more at AOPA.
Look for Plane & Pilot’s coverage of LSA seaplane alternatives in our October issue.
