I got furloughed almost exactly a year ago and was fortunate enough to have a job waiting at a surveying company in OKC that was starting up the aerial surveying. We fly a C-206 w/ a top of the line Lidar and digital camera from Leica on board. I fly maybe 1 to 2 times a week on average and the rest of the time I am doing the land surveying (which I HATE). Would love to get back in the Jet but am very fortunate to be working and getting to fly a bit. The pay is considerably better at this company then the regionals and have been actually able to get out of some serious debt that I would have never been able to do if I wasn't furloughed. According to the owner he is actually pretty convinced that we will be needing a second system this time next year and has almost signed on the dotted line for a multi.

The work can be somewhat difficult but once you get the hang of it it is pretty easy. It starts to get a little stressful if you are in tight airspaces or around a busy area. Just the other week the owner (who is a pilot himself) flew for the first time doing a surveying mission cause I went on vacation. He came back to me and said he has a new found respect for what I do and how I get it done efficiently. I think he litterally thought I just go up and fly some simple lines and head back home. Guess that will help in a little job security. (Not totting my own horn)