Field Directors

What are Field Directors?

The Seaplane Pilots Association (SPA) Field Directors are the heartbeat of our advocacy efforts at the local level. As dedicated volunteers who live and fly within the regions they represent, they provide a firsthand “on the water” perspective of their specific states—offering a level of regional context that helps inform our broader mission.

These directors serve as your primary local resource for waterway information and regional advocacy. However, they don’t work alone. The SPA National Office stands directly behind every Field Director, providing the technical resources, legal backing, and national oversight needed to tackle complex challenges.

A Field Director isn’t just an advocate; they are a repository of local knowledge. Their expertise includes:

Navigating Local Policy: They understand the specific “alphabet soup” of state agencies (DNR, DEP, DOT) and how they interact with seaplane operations.

Waterway Intel: They know which lakes have seasonal restrictions, which ramps are currently usable, and where the “unwritten” local customs are—keeping pilots safe and compliant.

Relationship Capital: Over years of living in their region, they build personal bridges with airport managers, lake association presidents, and local lawmakers.

Our Field Directors are here to help! If you have questions about flying in your neck of the woods or need expert advice on all things seaplane, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local representative.

field Director CHairman

Bob Ziegler serves as the primary point of contact and strategic lead for the Seaplane Pilots Association’s entire network of Field Directors. His role is built on a foundation of partnership and coordination, ensuring that our volunteer Field Directors—whether they are working at a local, national, or international level—are all aligned with the same core objectives. He acts as a central hub for information and strategy, providing our directors with the consistent guidance they need to protect seaplane access in their own backyards and beyond, while coordinating with the main SPA office.

Regions

Alaska

The Alaska region is a cornerstone of our network, representing a massive portion of the seaplane community. Our directors in the Last Frontier are vital resources for navigating the state’s vast geography, offering firsthand knowledge on unique regional safety considerations and the importance of aquatic invasive species prevention. These volunteers serve as local points of contact who can share essential “boots-on-the-ground” insights to help keep Alaska’s thousands of waterways open and pristine.

Northeast Region

The Northeast Region is a vital part of our field director network, covering a diverse landscape that stretches from the rugged coast of Maine to the Mid-Atlantic. This region includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Vermont.

Midwest Region

The Midwest Region is a powerhouse within our field director network, home to many iconic water flying destinations. Spanning across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

SoutHeast Region

The Southeast Region represents a dynamic and year-round hub for the seaplane community, anchored by some of the most active and seaplane friendly water flying states in the country, covering Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Western Region

The Western Region is an essential and geographically diverse part of our Field Director network, spanning from the Pacific coast to the high peaks of the Rockies, covering Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai’i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

International

The International Region is a vital part of our Field Director network, reflecting the global reach and shared passion of the seaplane community. Covering France, Italy, the Bahamas, Canada, and Mexico, our directors provide a dedicated voice for the seaplane community within these world-class water flying regions. They are instrumental in ensuring our members have a knowledgeable point of contact for the unique regulations and community landscapes that define these international areas.