Learn to fly a seaplane in the stunning setting of Italy’s Lake Como, in the foothills of the Alps, with Aero Club Como. It’s the world’s oldest flying school operating seaplanes and float-equipped planes, having opened in 1930.
The club is based in the lakeside town of Como, about an hour’s drive from Milan. It has its own accommodation block or you can stay in one of the town’s hotels while enjoying this spectacular region of the Italian “lake district”.
As well as flying from Como, you can land almost anywhere on the lakes, while flying over wonderful villas. The Villa Balbianello featured in a Star Wars film is here, and actor George Clooney is reported to also have his own place.
Como Water Aerodrome
The club has a Water Aerodrome with two runways, 01/19, marked out on the lake by buoys. The club has berthing and mooring bays, as well as a ramp, apron hangar, workshop and offices on land. It’s also classified as an “Airport of Entry’ meaning you can fly direct to it – so long as you’re in a seaplane.
If you already have a PPL(A) with a Land Rating, you can add a Seaplane Rating with about 8 hours of flying. Advanced courses are also available to deal with difficult conditions and operating to and from unprepared rivers and lakes.
However, you can also do your complete European (EASA) PPL with Aero Club Como using the club’s seaplanes – the only place in the world that you can do this. Of course, you can also add a Land Rating with tuition at nearby airfields.
The club’s fleet of aircraft is available for hire once you have your rating. The main aircraft used for tuition are a fleet of Cessna 172s equipped with floats, but there’s also a Piper PA-18 Supercub, vintage Cessna C305, a classic 1935 Caprioni biplane, and a six-seat Cessna 206 on floats.
