E2CMaster

So I'm now working 60/60 rotations for one of the "Big 3" contractors.

I've been home two weeks and my wife is already trying to get me out of the house.

I've poked around at the airport asking about pipeline patrols, and all the places that do it here, are just satellite offices for companies based elsewhere.

What I do have:
2000 hours (With a .3/sortie, I'm at about 2300)
Commercial, ASEL, AMEL, Rotor-Helo. Instrument for both.
Current in ASEL and AMEL. Haven't touched a helo in years.
Instrument Current

2.5 years working as a pipeline engineer. So I know what a pipeline is supposed to, and more importantly, not supposed to look like.

The two places I've managed to get a hold of a real person at wanted 2000 hours PIC in ASEL, (not even close) or me to relocate to Houston and be full time (not happening)

I don't really care about/need the money. My "day job" pays pretty well. It's more of a something to get out of the house before my wife kills me, that preferably involves flying.

E2CMaster

Forgot to add. I'm located about 10 miles from KCPR.

ClarenceOver

You don't fly pipeline part time. You are flying 8 hours a day 5 days a week at least!

E2CMaster

Part time for me is "the 60 days I'm not in a ****ty third world country". I was going to reserve bum on my off time, but that fell through, so I'm looking for a way to stay occupied so I don't go do something drastic like buy a plane or another boat.

Sorry, should have been more specific.

ClarenceOver

Then yeah in your case its doable. However there are some outfits that want you to make it a career with them. Barr is one example.

deftone

I was actually interested in something similar to what you are looking for.. I also work a similar schedule over in Kazakhstan, for one of the big Chinese oil companies... and I already live in Houston

Im a long way away from being competitive for a job though

ERJF15

I did when I was on active duty up in Wichita Falls. I flew every tuesday from there to Houston and back. Every once and a while I flew more than once a week if someone was out of pocket.

E2CMaster

ERJF,

Who were you flying for? That looks like a doable schedule.

There's a pretty big pipeline hub here, and Casper-Denver or Casper-Salt Lake and back is not a bad run.

Truth be told, if anyone has anything that will get me out of the house a couple days a week and within reasonable distance of Casper, I'm game. It's looking like it's going to be months before the reserves unscrew the current paperwork snafu that is keeping me in a non pay status.

FYI. Always keep your separation orders.

Best we can tell, some genius mistyped my separation code from what equates to "separated under honorable conditions, free to come back as a reservist any time" to one that apparently has me separating medically under less than honorable conditions, while riding a motorcycle using a glowbelt as a helmet while drunk"

Having a copy of my separation orders and the associated DD214 & FITREPS has made getting it "fixed" somewhat easier, as it made it obvious someone mis-entered something.

ERJF15

^^^^I flew for Eagle Pipeline Patrol out of Kickapoo Downtown Airpark. I racked up about 600hrs in that year. The owner is a great guy and he had the cleanest most up-kept 172's on earth.

rpatte1637

I currrently fly pipeline patrol and for the last two years I have averaged about 130 hour a month and over 1500 hours a year plus an additional 1-2 hours a day to complete reports for the pipeline companies. I actually fly more than pilots in a Part 121 and 135 operation can, since the FAA limits them to 100 month or 1200 hour a year, if I remember right.