Sanguy

Not unheard of to get work with those hrs, but for insurance, most places want 500 hrs min. Get 200 more hrs CFIing, and you can get a VFR part 135 job in Alaska fairly easily. Could also tow banners if you have tailwheel time.

desertrat67

So, think anyone would hire a guy with 1300+ helicopter time, to include paradrops from helicopters(static line and free fall) and 130TT FW, 110 of that multi, 100 of that turbine? Comm/IFR in both.

Mike5250

Any Jump zones within an hr +/- drive of Philly hiring? 500tt. 150+ complex if it makes a difference.

3cx1500a7

New guy here. I'm a nontraditional pilot looking for some advice on getting in to flying skydivers.

I live in AZ. 600TT, CP-ASEL, IA, CFI/II. 2nd Class Med. 160#. 40 hours in a 182. No skydiving experience. I was out of aviation for about 10 years but got bit by the bug again. I'm current, if a little rusty.

Here's the issue. I have a full-time job in IT that, as much as I'd like to quit today, I'd be crazy to give it up to make $10/load flying skydivers full time.

So I'm looking to do some part-time flying. Weekends would be ideal, or I could fill in for a regular pilot for a week or two at a time (and take vacation at work). I could even work some weekdays, as my regular job is remote and I have some flexibility on when I get it done.

Willing to drive to any DZ in Arizona. Maybe even farther for a temporary fill-in spot. I have an RV so I would have lodging covered. Is there a gig like this out there? Would doing a multi add-on help? Or putting myself through Caravan training?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

agayo70

I know an operator who has 182s in central CA looking for a diver Pilot. Yes, its about $10/load, but if you can do it, let me know and I will connect you with him.

Thanks,

HPIC

I'm really surprised to see some of the experience levels of people that have been hired, especially at Eloy. It's been many years, but I was a diver driver at one time, have several thousand jumps, and have done most jobs at a DZ from pilot to instructor to turning wrenches, and even did the requisite living in an RV at the DZ. In my time, the typical pilot had a couple thousand hours and a thousand plus jumps.

It's definitely a new world in aviation. I've kicked around the idea of getting back into jumping(only fun jumping though, not working) after a 6 or so year sabbatical, but it makes me think twice if most of the pilots are really low experience level these days. I've been involved in one mishap as a skydiver in the back of a jump plane, and gotten out of another bad situation down low(with a student) that were only survivable because of the skill and experience of our pilots at the time.

Those of you thinking about working at a DZ as a pilot need to realize that it's a tough environment. Very busy, on the ragged edge of performance on most takeoffs, responsible for far more than "just flying the airplane", and in the twins losing an engine down low will often mean putting the airplane down with partial power, not climbing away into the sunset on one motor.......

......but the parties at night after the last load can't be beat!

3cx1500a7

Bumping this up. Still looking for a part-time jump pilot job, preferably in or near AZ. 620TT, 12ME.

JohnBurke

Go see Skydive AZ.

AZFlyer

Yep. SDAZ. They always need pilots.

Gapilot

Anyone that works in the northwest know of any company that may be looking to hire in next few months or next year?

Thanks.