Contract flying
 

Thinking about jumping ship from current fulltime part 91 C560XLS+ job to contract flying. Trying to get a feel on how many days a month is possible for East Coast based pilot and what daily rates are. Most likely won't make a much with fulltime gig but looking for quality of life improvement. Thanks for any input

What kind of QOL are you looking for? If it is to stay home with the family more, what is going to happen if you have a really slow month, then someone has a trip for you over Christmas? Are you going to turn that down? That would be a tough decision.

Everyone I have known that has been a contract pilot said its feast or famine, and you better take everything you can get during the feast times in order not to starve during the famine. Imagine what it was like during covid?

Thanks for the input, I have budgeted/planned for slow times, no issue flying over Christmas. I did some contract flying years ago when I was on 8/6 schedule and yes it was feast or famine. Ideally would be ok with 5 -8 days a month if that is reasonable in current market. I see some guys posting 1,000 a day which I think is low.

If being tied to your phone all the time waiting for your next paycheck is an increase in QOL from what you have presently, then go for it. Hopefully you have a spouse that you can provide you with health insurance.

Keep in mind with contract flying you’ll need to always say “yes” when they call if you want to keep the client. If they get a couple “no’s” because you don’t want to work anymore that month then they will just start calling someone else and you’ll lose the client.
I would think $1,200-$1,500 would be reasonable for a Citation PIC but also keep in mind that you will be responsible for your recurrents which will eat into your income.

Thanks for input, I do have the health insurance covered and fortunately not a lot of expenses. Hoping to pick work out PDK TYS BNA and CHA but have no issue airline to the plane if needed.