Originally Posted by
Shaun
Any info on Kenmore?
I know a few float pilots make descent money around here, although probably not most. I know that they aren't going to be the same as a pilot flying a jet. Perhaps the money is in Alaska? Even if the money really isn't great, I still don't see myself flying jets long term. Maybe for a while, but I really think that I would burn out. You kind of know where I am, want to fly floats (or tundra tires), don't want to go the jet route, what would you say is the best way to get there? Keeping in mind that I am a CFI and can't afford your float plane. Although, I would LOVE to buy a float plane, but working as a CFI doesn't give me the extra income to do that at the moment. If you ever find yourself flying it by yourself, let me know, I will come keep you company.
Or, if you need someone to run the engine every now and then, I am your guy.
-Shaun
If your dream is to fly floats and tundra tires then I would head for Alaska and work on the docks for a season or two. Also, you could get hired at Soundflight or Kenmore as a float CFI and build time that way. In the end though it is always the same. You will realize that the money is bad, there are few women, there is no future in it and you might just get killed. Those who stay end up as poor lonely bush geeks without a life.
I can give you a long list of names to phone who would tell you the same story. I have one friend right now who has been a Beaver pilot for the last 10 years or so and every spring he does everything he can in efforts of getting out of the life he so diligently worked to get into. He works seasonally for a lodge and can't stand it anymore. To get his break he had to buy a Cessna 172 on floats in order to get his initial time. Insurance is non-existent for most new seaplane pilots. However you can waste a lot of summers waiting for opportunity to strike that might never come.
Flying that fun bush stuff is like eating a Twinkie. Tastes great but empty calories.
Many who fly for the airlines wouldn't do it except that it offers a schedule, benifits and as close to a normal life as one can get and still fly. If I thought I could earn a real living as a seaplane pilot in SEA I would be there in a heartbeat.
I received a tip that Kenmore was hiring caravan pilots a year or so ago and I had a interviewed if I wanted it. The pay was 2400/month. No thanks. Perhaps if I ever become financially independent I could do something like that but in SEA that wouldn't go far at all.
SKyHigh