About Us
Finger Lakes Seaplanes offers scenic seaplane tours of New York’s Finger Lakes region. Operating from Keuka Lake, the birthplace of seaplane aviation, we’ll depart from and land back at our dock at the Harbor Lights Marina. You’ll come to appreciate the beauty of the region combined with the excitement and adventure of seaplane aviation.Finger Lakes Seaplanes was born one evening when two friends decided to share their love of float flying with their appreciation of the beauty of western New York.
Andy Sable
Pilot, Abby’s dad, Chief Entertainment Officer
Tiffany Sable
Abby’s mom, Finger Lakes Seaplanes CEO (Chief Everything Officer)
Tiffany never had the chance to be around aviation until meeting Andy, and it’s safe to say she’s hooked. Flying back from Minnesota with Andy, she found herself excitedly curious about all the gauges and controls, and wanted to know what each one does. It’s not a stretch to say there is at least one more future pilot in the Sable household’s future.Tiff can best be described as the one who keeps this operation running: from booking flights, to letting Abby know her airplane made it back safely, to offering the voice of reason to some of Andy and Bob’s ideas, Tiff keeps the flight ops grounded (metaphorically speaking, of course).Born and raised in the Finger Lakes area, Tiff is proud and excited to be raising their daughter on Keuka Lake and as part of the general aviation community. When not tending to aviation, Tiff and Andy can be found teaching Abby the camping and hiking lifestyle.
Bob Knill
Pilot, coffee drinker (understatement), German Shepherd owner
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Bob earned his pilot’s certificate 2005 while living in Frederick, Maryland. He knew from his first few flights that he wanted to fly seaplanes and experience the sense of adventure and freedom that floatplanes signify.Since meeting Andy in 2008 and becoming fast friends, he’s traveled from his home in Frederick to Keuka often, knowing one day he’d settle here.Shortly after starting the business with Andy, Bob moved his German Shepherd, Fritz, and his photography side business (along with his coffee addiction) to Hammondsport, and is proud to be part of the great Sable team.When he’s not flying 180PT, Bob can be found renovating his 1972 Airstream trailer, exploring the area on his Triumph Bonneville, or just enjoying life on the best place on Earth.He also enjoys long walks on the beach (okay, not really…he prefers mountain hikes) and sipping fruity beverages (again…not true. Give him coffee).
Rates
We offer several trip lengths based upon your schedule and budget.Each flight can be customized to your liking.
Please note our new pricing effective Aug. 1, 2019
30-MINUTE KEUKA TOUR: $250 (plus tax) for up to 2 passengers*
This flight departs from Harbor Lights Marina and circles Hammondsport, flies up the West Branch over to Branchport, crosses the bluff over to Penn Yan and down the East Branch. We’ll then circle the Bluff and return for landing.
60-MINUTE KEUKA/SENECA/WATKINS GLEN TOUR: $400 (plus tax) for up to 2 passengers*
This tour departs Keuka lake southbound and turns east near Hammondsport. We then fly over Watkins Glen, north along Seneca Lake, and head back west to Keuka over Penn Yan. We’ll cross the bluff and fly south along the West Fork for landing.
60-MINUTE KEUKA/CANADAIGUA TOUR: $400 (plus tax) for up to 2 passengers*
This tour departs Keuka lake southbound and circles Hammondsport. We then fly west over Naples then north up Canadaigua Lake. Our return trip takes us east to Keuka over Branchport and south along the West Fork for landing.
*Our rates are based on a flight for two people. Bring along another friend or family member for an additional $75 ($50 for children under the age of 10).
For an additional charge, we can pick you up on your private dock and drop you off at the same location after the flight. Call for details.
Keep checking back with us for additional excursion options.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the price listed per person, or per flight?
The prices for our tours are for a flight for 2 people. There is an additional charge for another family member or friend.
How many people can fit in the airplane?
Our airplane can hold 4 people…3 passengers plus the pilot. You kinda want a pilot on board at all times. Just throwing that out there.
I have a 4-year old. Are there any age restrictions for being able to fly?
Nope! Andy’s daughter has been flying with us since she was 3 years old…and loves it every time! While there are no age restrictions, a child under the age of 3 or so may not appreciate the flight as they may not be able to look around and see what’s going on. But we have no age limits on who can fly with us.
Can we get picked up at our dock (or beach)?
Sure! As long as the dock is sufficient. Our wings need a good bit of clearance on both sides of the dock that are free from obstacles such as boat lifts, gazebos, flag poles, boat whips, etc. We would prefer that you email us a picture of your dock so we can gauge how best to approach it.
If you’d like to schedule a dock pickup, just book the flight online as you normally would, then give us a call or put in the comments that you’d like a dock pickup. We’ll call you back to get your address (so we don’t arrive at a total stranger’s dock unannounced!) and find out more about the dock itself.
Please note that an additional charge will apply for dock pickups.
How long have you had your pilots’ licenses?
Andy has been flying since 1998 and Bob has been flying since about Tuesday,
Just kidding. Bob got his initial pilot certificate in 2005 and his seaplane rating in 2006.
Can you drop us off at a restaurant for lunch and pick us up later?
Unfortunately not. Our operating certificate with the FAA only allows us to depart with passengers and return to the same location with no intermediate stops. To do otherwise, we would be acting as an air taxi or airline service which is a whole other set of operating rules and certificates we would need.
What do you call a boomerang that doesn’t come back?
A stick.
Give us a shout
