Maryland

Maryland has a rich history in seaplanes, which includes the Glenn L. Martin factory at Middle River to the extensive test operations at Naval Air Station Patuxent River’s three seaplane basins. Maryland is considered seaplane friendly, but with constraints one would with high population density and busy airspace. The State has few usable inland bodies of water, all of which require permission from the controlling agency or political subdivision. All state-controlled waters, to include the Chesapeake Bay and its navigable tributaries are open to seaplane takeoffs and landings with very few exceptions. Those are located near narrow channels and busy marinas; the specifics can be found by searching for the latest Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) applicable to aviation.

Current seaplane activity is limited, as the water is brackish until you are north of the US highway 50 bay bridge, with salinity levels varying during the year. At Pt. Lookout, the southern tip of Maryland on the western shore, the salinity levels range from 8-12 parts per thousand throughout the year.

Several restricted areas, the Washington DC SFRA, three Class B airports, and charted wildlife can make the airspace seem daunting and prohibitive. With proper preflight planning and a call to the sector approach controller, you will find you can fly and splash around quite a bit. Water landings are permitted inside the DC SFRA’s outer ring, but seaplane operations are explicitly prohibited within the Flight Restricted Zone. From time to time there has been talk of establishing commercial seaplane service to the Washington DC metro area, but the Seaplane Pilots Association is cautious about this from a security threat and the potential for even a perception of a threat which would have the potential to show seaplanes in a very visible negative light in the media.

There are limited seaplane-friendly shore facilities, and any stops require careful planning. There are no commercial seaplane bases, although 100LL fuel is available at Wingfield (MDO1), Essex Skypark (W48), and Leonardtown Wharf (not a SPB) with prior coordination. Most marinas have ethanol-free gas but may not have suitable parking available near the pumps. Most shorelines near restaurants and marinas are constructed with large rocks to prevent erosion or have tall pilings on the fixed piers. If you find suitable sites for seaplanes, please update the Water Landing Directory, and contact the Maryland Field Director. Have fun exploring!