Does anyone have info on how UAV time could help/hurt your career? I am currently instructing and finding it hard to pick up multi time. I was considering applying for one of the UAV programs with the private contractors. I would like to go part 121 someday (I know it is looking pretty grim right now), but I wanted to make a little money in the meantime. Does anyone have an opinion on whether that would help for my long term goals or would I just be treading water so to speak?

Thanks in advance...

 

I have a friend furloughed from 121 that is doing it, he said the job is ok, and the money is real Good. My understanding is that it is not flight time for hiring mins, but hey, its about money anyhow, and I think you'll find that at that job, 121 doesnt pay as much...Good luck

 

It will not count as actual logged flight time. It might make an interesting conversation piece at a job interview...but you won't get the interview without real flight time.

But it generally pays well compared to many other flying jobs.

Also pilot employers generally frown on applicants who have been out of the cockpit for an extended period of time...but I tend to think they would be more favorable towards a UAV pilot as opposed to someone who had been completely out of aviation.

 

To the best of me knowledge, UAV "time" does NOT count and is not log-able towards any qualifications or flight experience.

It's debatable as to whether the experience is worth anything. Yes, you are involved in "flying"; however, it's not in any type of real aircraft and I'm not certain what the value is other than the pay is pretty good.

Just my two cents, devalued to $ .013456 on Wednesday's market close.

G'Luck Mate

 

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the input.

 

Sutherja-
What the others have said is pretty accurate. Folks who are looking to hire you as a pilot will not consider UAV time as valuable. Like Rickair said, it may be a great conversation piece, but that's about it. They want to see stick time - remember, they're hiring you to fly their airplanes, so they will look at what you've done that is relevant to what they are hiring you to do for them. It's all about experience...in an airplane.

 

Something to consider is that you are well aware the airlines aren't exactly hiring off the chain right now. So, here is my take. In a few years (when you might meet the mins. I am just assuming that at this point) the airlines will probably be in a better scenario as far as growth and hiring. If you take one of these contractor jobs, it won't help you get a 121 job, but I wouldn't worry about that. You will have the flight time in a few years. Say you take a deployment and fly UAV's for 1 year. I am guessing that with around 130-140K for a 1 year deployment you could pay off all of your debts. Then get into the 121 world just like everyone else did. There is something to say for a junior guy in the 121 world to be debt free. I was there. I did the 121 gig for 5 years. Now I am considering UAV deployment myself to wipe out all of my debts.

On the other hand, what kind of commitments do you have? Are you married? If you are a male and single I would say go for it. It's an adventure and an opportunity of a lifetime. You get to serve your country and you get a major step ahead in return.

 

wow I didn't know they had private contractors fly UAVs. does anyone have information about that as far as companies that do it or what the job reqs are? I'm in the army right now and that doesn't sound like a bad gig for when i get out. I know you can make bank being a contractor down range and if I'm not mistaken money you make deployed like that is tax free.