Southern Seaplane, Inc.

06/13/2025

Flight training in process! Reserve your spot for your SES & MES rating soon!

04/07/2025

We would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support for our Southern Seaplane family. If you have posted, sent messages, or left voicemails, know that all of it has been received and more appreciated than we can ever express. All are welcome to attend Lyle’s services:

Saturday, April 12, 2025
St. Cletus Church
Gretna, LA
Visitation 11:00 am – 12:45 pm
Mass to follow at 1:00 pm

Delta Fraternity holds an annual Wild Game Dinner benefiting Children’s hospital. An idea Lyle dreamed up after hosting Delta’s club dinner in Southern Seaplane’s hangar. Over the years, Delta Fraternity has raised over a quarter of a million dollars and supports a room at the Ronald McDonald House. This year’s Wild Game Dinner was hosted on April 5 with a toast to Lyle from all his fraternity brothers. In lieu of flowers please donate to Children’s Hospital in honor of Lyle Panepinto – Delta Fraternity.

12/12/2024

Ever wonder what it’s like to learn to fly floatplanes in South Louisiana? Here’s a sneak peak of your experience and then give us a call and join the fun!!

08/06/2024

We love hearing that our students had just as much fun a we do!

“I'm still on cloud 9 from coming down and flying with you all. I had an absolute blast flying with Nate, John, Dave, Forest, and Lyle.
You all have something so special there with all the family involved and how much the instructors love what they do. That definitely contributed to the overall positive experience. Also, seeing a 9-10' gator at the turn around point in the canal with John was pretty darn cool too!!”

Congratulations Jeremy Schaad on your SES and MES ratings!!!

06/15/2024

NOW HIRING Full Time Pilot Position.........

Part 135 on-demand charter. Part 141 Seaplane Flight School. Part 91 aerial patrol.

Requirements:
CSEL, CMEL, Instrument Airplane
CFI Single and Multi Engine
Seaplane Rating preferred but not required.
Must have 500 hours minimum Total Time. 7 days on, 7 days off. Responsible for opening and closing the office when on duty. Healthcare, supplemental insurance, 401K, salary weekly paid, pay depends on experience.

Please send resume to [email protected]

09/02/2023

I'll never forget the first time Lyle flew Jimmy B. I received a call from a gentleman requesting a flight in our DHC-2 de Havilland Beaver to fly his boss to Horn Island in Mississippi, land, stay for about 30 minutes, then fly back to Belle Chasse. I politely told the gentleman on the phone that I would be happy to provide a quote for that flight, but if there were only 1 passenger, we had other planes that were much more economical and I could also provide quotes for those as well. The gentleman on the phone quickly answered that his boss wanted that particular plane and the cost was not an issue. So I proceeded to book that flight...Well you can imagine the look on my face when Jimmy Buffett walked through the door. That would be the first of many times Lyle flew Jimmy throughout the years.
Then there was the time Lyle & I were fortunate to fly with Jimmy in his Cessna Caravan on amphib floats, exploring the swamps of south Louisiana. He wanted to fly somewhere off the beaten path where he wouldn't be overcome with tourists. Kraemer was the perfect location to take him. He loved the little Cajun Village.
I will say that Jimmy was one of the most down to earth and laid back celebrities I've ever met. I hope your are enjoying Cheeseburgers in Paradise!
R.I.P Jimmy B! Fins Up!!!

06/13/2023

Congratulations to Dio Rodriguez on his Commercial Single Engine Sea add on!

06/09/2023

Another perfect day on the water. 🎣

05/10/2023

Watch, follow, and discover more trending content.

04/19/2023

MECHANIC POSITION AVAILABLE!!
We are looking for a Full-Time mechanic to join our team for Part 135, Part 141 and Part 91 operations. A&P certificate required. IA not required but welcomed. Experience with small Cessnas preferred but not required: C172, C185, C210, C206. Also perform maintenance on small twin engine: Piper PA-31-350, Piper PA-23-250. Experience with seaplanes not required but welcomed. Please email resumes to [email protected]

12/09/2022

Congratulations to Jonathan Pebworth on his CMES rating!

11/15/2022