Amphibious Aircraft for Sale
Amphibious turbine and piston aircraft.
About Amphibious Aircraft for Sale
Amphibious aircraft give you the best of two worlds: the freedom of seaplane operations on lakes, rivers and protected coastal water, plus the convenience of landing at any conventional airport. They achieve this with retractable landing gear integrated into the floats (in the case of float-equipped land planes) or into the hull (true flying boats). The trade-off is weight, complexity and the discipline required to never confuse "water" with "land" configuration — landing gear-down on water or gear-up on a runway are accidents that have ended too many amphibious aircraft.
The category contains some of the most unique aircraft in general aviation. The Icon A5 is a modern composite light-sport amphibious that has reintroduced an entire generation to water flying. The Lake Buccaneer / Renegade is a classic American flying boat with a pylon-mounted engine. The Grumman Goose, Widgeon and Mallard are golden-age flying boats still operating today in collector hands. The De Havilland Beaver and Cessna 206 fitted with Wipline amphibious floats are the workhorses — the same airframes that dominate the floatplane category, but with retract gear for airport access.
On MarketplaceAviation we list amphibious aircraft from owners, dealers and operators worldwide. Listings include hull or float status, gear cycle history, last hull paint and corrosion treatment, and recent water-rudder service — items that matter more on amphibious than on any other category in aviation.
Most popular models in this category
Icon A5
Modern composite LSA amphibious — folding wings, AOA gauge.
Lake LA-4 Buccaneer / Renegade
American flying boat — pylon engine, distinctive silhouette.
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver on Wipline amphibs
The ultimate utility amphibian — turbine or radial conversions.
Cessna 206 on Wipline 3450 amphibs
Heavy hauler amphibian — 6 seats, airport-and-lake capable.
Cessna 185 on Aerocet amphibs
Classic Skywagon on Aerocet 3500L amphibious floats.
Grumman G-21 Goose
WWII-era flying boat — collector grade, twin radial.
Grumman G-44 Widgeon
Smaller Goose — Lycoming or Continental conversions.
Searey Elite
Kit-built composite amphibious LSA — popular in Florida.
What to verify before you buy
Landing gear cycles and corrosion
Amphibious landing gear is the most worked-on system on the aircraft — every water operation, every airport landing cycles the gear. Inspect hydraulics, electrical actuators, lock pins and warning system. Salt-water history means even more aggressive corrosion checks.
Hull or float integrity (pressure test)
A flying boat hull or an amphibious float can leak invisibly until you take on enough water to affect handling. Pre-buy must include a leak test of every hull compartment. Bilge pumps must work. Repairs are expensive and time-consuming.
Water-rudder linkages and operation
Water rudders take a beating from cycles and water immersion. Verify operation, cable condition, and recent service. A failed water rudder in a crosswind on a glass lake will ruin your day.
Pilot configuration discipline
Amphibious accidents are dominated by gear-position errors. Verify the warning system (audible and visual gear-up/gear-down warnings) is functional and configurable for water vs land mode. Insurance often requires specific recurrent training.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an amphibious aircraft cost? +
A modern Icon A5 trades between \$200,000 and \$400,000 depending on year and equipment. A Lake LA-4 Buccaneer typically sits at \$80,000–\$160,000. A Cessna 185 on Wipline amphibs reaches \$280,000–\$450,000. A Beaver on Wipline 6000 amphibs (turbine conversion) can exceed \$1.5 million. Grumman Goose and Mallard reach \$700,000–\$2.5 million depending on restoration quality.
Do I need a seaplane rating for an amphibious aircraft? +
Yes — you need an SES (Single-Engine Sea) or MES (Multi-Engine Sea) class rating. The amphibious operation itself is taught as part of the seaplane training, including the critical "gear-position before landing" callouts that define safe amphibious flying.
Are amphibious aircraft more expensive to maintain than floatplanes or land planes? +
Yes, considerably. You are maintaining floats AND retractable landing gear AND hydraulic systems AND water rudders — all subject to constant water immersion. Annual costs run 30–60% higher than the equivalent landplane and 15–30% higher than a fixed-float seaplane. The flexibility is what justifies the cost for many owners.
Are amphibious aircraft listings free on MarketplaceAviation? +
Yes. Listing your amphibious aircraft is free worldwide with up to two photos and no time limit. No commission on the sale. Optional boosts feature your listing at the top — useful given the relatively small but global buyer pool for amphibious aircraft.