Brown’s Seaplane Base
Brown's Seaplane Base, founded 1963 in Winter Haven, Florida, is the world's oldest seaplane training school, certifying pilots in FAA ASES and AMES ratings while offering introductory flights and air tours to rated pilots and tourists.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1963
- HeadquartersWinter Haven, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Brown’s Seaplane Base does
Brown's Seaplane Base (Jack Brown's Seaplane Base), founded in 1963 in Winter Haven, Florida, is the world's oldest seaplane training school. It has certified more than 28,000 pilots across FAA Airplane Single-Engine Sea (ASES) and Airplane Multi-Engine Sea (AMES) ratings, leveraging a fleet anchored by the DHC-2 Beaver and AirCam and an on-staff FAA Designated Pilot Examiner who can conduct checkrides on site. The operation is single-site, family-owned, and since 2019 has been run by Ben Shipps, the son-in-law of founder Jon Brown.
The business generates revenue from a structured, individually-priced catalog of pilot certification courses — ASES ratings from $2,975 to $6,185 (the upper end bundling PIC experience), AMES ratings at $4,010, a $1,398 one-day seaplane course, dual instruction at approximately $1,010/hr, and introductory flights near $409/hr — plus tourist-oriented air tours at $125/person and branded merchandise. Customers split between rated pilots seeking seaplane add-on qualifications (primary) and adventure-seeking tourists purchasing introductory or sightseeing flights (primary), with foreign certificate holders, including Canadians, as a secondary segment covered by FAA/Transport Canada reciprocity.
Distribution is intentionally narrow: one physical training base at Winter Haven, a Saturday walk-up satellite at Port 27 on Lake Tohopekaliga, and a third-party FareHarbor booking integration that digitizes tour reservations. The school also offers instructor renewal and ground-school components via affiliated providers. There is no disclosed headcount, no external funding, and no corporate parent; all operations sit under the family-owned corporate entity in Winter Haven, Florida.
Brown’s Seaplane Base firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Brown’s Seaplane Base
- Legal name
- Jack Brown's Seaplane Base, Inc.
- Website
- https://brownsseaplane.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1963
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Brown's Seaplane Base, founded 1963 in Winter Haven, Florida, is the world's oldest seaplane training school, certifying pilots in FAA ASES and AMES ratings while offering introductory flights and air tours to rated pilots and tourists.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Brown’s Seaplane Base industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aviation Flight Training Services
- NAICS
- Flight Training (611512), Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219)
- SIC
- Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Seaplane & Amphibious Air Taxi (TLAFABAI)
Keywords
Where Brown’s Seaplane Base is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Winter Haven
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Brown’s Seaplane Base business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Flight Training Courses: Core revenue from structured rating courses: ASES Rating, Extended ASES Rating, ASES Rating + PIC Experience, and AMES Rating. These are multi-day intensive programs that include ground school, dual instruction, aircraft rental, and checkride preparation.
- Flight Time (Dual/Intro): Hourly revenue from introductory flights, dual instruction sessions, and currency flights. Priced per hour of aircraft rental with instructor.
- Air Tours: Scenic seaplane tours of the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes and Central Florida landmarks, sold as individual seats or private experiences.
- Merchandise/Gear: Apparel and branded merchandise including t-shirts, hats, hoodies, mugs, decals, and aviation accessories sold through the gear shop.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | ASES Rating - Two-day comprehensive seaplane rating program |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Extended ASES Rating - Four-day comprehensive training |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | ASES Rating + PIC Experience - Rating with legendary Beaver access |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | AMES Rating - Multi-engine seaplane rating in AirCam |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Introductory Flight - One-hour first experience |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Dual Instruction - Personalized training |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 1-Day Seaplane Course - No checkride experience |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 30-Minute Winter Haven Chain of Lakes Tour |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
Brown’s Seaplane Base product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Jack Brown's Seaplane Base is a specialized seaplane flight training school offering FAA-certified rating programs (ASES, Extended ASES, AMES) along with introductory flights, dual instruction, and 1-day courses. The business also provides scenic air tours of the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes and sells branded apparel and merchandise through an online gear shop.
Product overview
Jack Brown's Seaplane Base is a specialized seaplane training school founded in 1963, offering a comprehensive portfolio of aviation training courses and experiences. The core offerings include three ASES (Airplane Single-Engine Seaplane) rating programs: the standard ASES Rating (2 days, $2,975), Extended ASES Rating (4 days, $4,320), and ASES Rating + PIC Experience ($6,185 with Beaver time). The AMES Rating course provides multi-engine seaplane training in the AirCam aircraft ($4,010). Experiential services include introductory flights ($409/hr), dual instruction ($1,010/hr), and 1-day courses ($1,398). Air tours of the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes are offered via the DHC-2 Beaver. The school operates a branded merchandise line featuring apparel, accessories, and collectibles.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ASES Rating Course Two-day FAA-certified Airplane Single-Engine Seaplane (ASES) rating program priced at $2,975. Includes course guide, ground school, 5 hours of dual flight instruction, and aircraft rental for checkride. Designed for Sport, Private, and Commercial pilots seeking seaplane endorsement.
- Extended ASES Rating Course Four-day intensive seaplane training program priced at $4,320. Includes 4 hours of ground instruction, 8 hours of dual flight instruction, and aircraft rental for checkride, plus post-checkride PIC time alongside an instructor. Designed for pilots wanting extended proficiency.
- ASES Rating + PIC Experience Combined ASES rating program with up to 3 hours of PIC time in the DHC-2 Beaver, priced at $6,185. Combines comprehensive single-engine seaplane training with exclusive time piloting the legendary de Havilland Beaver under instructor supervision.
- AMES Rating Course Two-day multi-engine seaplane (AMES) rating program priced at $4,010, conducted in the AirCam amphibious twin-engine aircraft. Requires Multi-Engine Land (AMEL) rating as prerequisite; course length depends on pilot experience.
- Introductory Seaplane Flight One-hour introductory seaplane flight experience priced at $409/hr in Legend Cub, Super Cub, or Cessna 172. Includes instructor and fuel; cash discount available. Targeted at first-time flyers and adventure seekers.
- Dual Instruction Personalized seaplane training priced at $1,010/hr in the DHC-2 Beaver, ranging from 30-minute currency flights to comprehensive time-building sessions tailored to individual pilot needs.
- 1-Day Seaplane Course Hands-on day-long training experience priced at $1,398, including course guide, ground school, and 3 hours of dual instruction. Designed for rated pilots or anyone exploring seaplane flying without pursuing a formal checkride.
- Air Tours - Winter Haven Chain of Lakes 30-minute scenic seaplane tours of the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes conducted in the DHC-2 Beaver. Available as individual seats ($125/person, minimum 4 passengers), private aircraft experiences ($550 for up to 6), or smaller group tours ($75/person, up to 2 passengers). Includes views of LEGOLAND, Fantasy of Flight, Bok Tower Gardens, and Port 27.
- Branded Merchandise Apparel and accessories featuring Jack Brown's Seaplane Base branding, including t-shirts, hats, hoodies, mugs, decals, sunglasses, and children's items, sold through the online gear shop.
Companies that use Brown’s Seaplane Base
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Brown’s Seaplane Base technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature1 record
Brown’s Seaplane Base partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- FareHarborcoreFareHarbor provides the booking and reservation system embedded in Jack Brown's website, enabling customers to book air tours and flight experiences online. This is the primary booking channel for experiences and tours.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Brown’s Seaplane Base competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ATP Flight School: Largest US flight training chain, running structured multi-rating programs (Private through ATP) at scale. Comparable on rating-based curriculum and training-school business model, though broader in scope and not focused on seaplanes or adventure tourism.
- FlightSafety International: Largest global provider of professional aviation training, with simulators and instructor-led programs across multiple aircraft types. Comparable as an established aviation training franchise, though operating at significantly broader scale and scope than Jack Brown's narrow seaplane specialty.
- Hillsboro Aero Academy: Largest flight school in the US Pacific Northwest (Hillsboro, Oregon) offering structured rating programs. Comparable flight-training scale and Part 141 model, though landplane-focused and lacking seaplane or tourism components.
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Two-campus (Florida, Arizona) university offering aviation degrees, pilot certifications, and ratings across multiple aircraft categories. Comparable for its pilot training offering in Florida, though operating at university scale far beyond Jack Brown's independent specialty school.
Direct peers
- Harbour Air: British Columbia-based seaplane airline and charter/scenic tour operator. Directly comparable for its seaplane-only operating model, multi-tier service catalog (scheduled service, charters, tours), and similar reliance on iconic Pacific/western North American lake settings.
- Kenmore Air: Long-established Seattle-based operator of seaplane charter, scheduled service, scenic tours, and pilot training from Lake Washington. Most directly comparable to Jack Brown's given its exclusive seaplane focus, mix of training/charter/tour revenue, and similar recreational/adventure customer base.
Others
- Atlantic Aviation: Nationwide US FBO network providing fueling, hangar, ground handling, and passenger services at airports serving general aviation, business jets, and float-equipped operators. Comparable as a fellow airport-ecosystem participant and infrastructure provider around general-aviation and seaplane base operations.
- CubCrafters: Washington-state based manufacturer of Carbon Cub and other backcountry/STOL kit and light-sport aircraft widely used in float-equipped training. Comparable as a key enabling supplier in Jack Brown's seaplane trainer fleet (Super Cub/Legend Cub-class platforms) and adjacent adventure-flying audience.
Regional players
- Epic Flight Academy: Florida-based Part 141 flight academy at New Smyrna Beach offering private through ATP certifications with international student recruiting. Comparable as a Florida-based private flight training operator serving foreign and domestic students, though without seaplane specialization.
Emerging players
- Sporty's Academy: Batavia, Ohio-based pilot training academy operated alongside Sporty's Pilot Shop, offering private pilot and instrument ratings. Comparable structured rating programs and direct-to-consumer booking motion; not a direct seaplane competitor but a small focused flight school serving recreational pilots.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Brown’s Seaplane Base social profiles
Digital presenceBrown’s Seaplane Base financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Brown’s Seaplane Base leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Brown’s Seaplane Base funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Brown’s Seaplane Base M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Brown’s Seaplane Base
What does Brown’s Seaplane Base do?
Jack Brown's Seaplane Base is a specialized seaplane flight training school offering FAA-certified rating programs (ASES, Extended ASES, AMES) along with introductory flights, dual instruction, and 1-day courses. The business also provides scenic air tours of the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes and sells branded apparel and merchandise through an online gear shop.
Is Brown’s Seaplane Base a public or private company?
Brown’s Seaplane Base is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Brown’s Seaplane Base founded?
Brown’s Seaplane Base was founded in 1963. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Brown’s Seaplane Base based?
Brown’s Seaplane Base is headquartered in Winter Haven, United States, in the North America region.
How does Brown’s Seaplane Base make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Flight Training Courses are the primary driver. The others are flight Time (Dual/Intro), air Tours and merchandise/Gear.
Who are Brown’s Seaplane Base's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ATP Flight School, FlightSafety International, Hillsboro Aero Academy and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Direct peers are Harbour Air and Kenmore Air. Others are Atlantic Aviation and CubCrafters. Epic Flight Academy is listed as a regional player. Sporty's Academy is listed as an emerging player.
Does Brown’s Seaplane Base have an API?
No public API is recorded for Brown’s Seaplane Base.
What industry is Brown’s Seaplane Base in?
Brown’s Seaplane Base's product category is Aviation Flight Training Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAFABAI, Seaplane & Amphibious Air Taxi. Its NAICS code is 611512 and its SIC code is 4581.