What would you say is the best way to get flying hours? 1500 hours seems like a really big number. Does flying on my free time count as time?

Sorry for the dumb questions I thought it would be a good idea to ask the people who have gone through this before.

 

I flew skydivers. A lot of people Flight Instruct. I've also come across a few who did aerial mapping and photography.

As to which is best, I would say whichever allows you to fly the most. If you live in a colder part of the country, skydiving places won't be open year round. Flight instructor jobs can build a lot of time, but you can also sit around with no students for lengths of time depending in the flight school.

 

I have seen that most schools hire the students as instructors. Is there a good chance I can get a job this way?

 

Yes, that's a popular way to go.

 

Is it typical for companies who do aerial mapping, sky diving or aerial photography to hire you straight after you've earned your CPL?

Would it be prudent to first get your CFI, work in that field for a short while to build some hours and experience, and then go into one of these jobs?

I have heard that flight instruction can be tedious and I'm wondering if these other jobs are more interesting and lucrative.

 

Get the CFI. You are highly unlikely to get traffic watch aerial mapping skydiving etc. without 500TT for insurance requirements.

 

At this career level nothing is lucrative

 

Yes, flying on your own time does count.

 

Flight instruct. You'll learn a lot from instructing and it will reinforce your skill and knowledge. It will also look good on the resume and be something to fall back on if you ever lose your job. Buying all your time on your own may not be the best way to add experience to your resume. Future employers want to see that you can work in a structured environment.

 

Arial photography, sky diving, and banner tow jobs are not technical flying jobs. It's simple VFR type flying and most regional are not going to consider that valuable flight time. The airline industry is very technical and structured. You IFR skills must be sharp and you must have the ability to commit 300 page manuals to memory. Not necessarily verbatim, but a good understanding of company policies, regulations, aircraft systems/limitations, and SOP's.
The other jobs are mundane and require very little technical ability IMHO.

I didn't want to instruct at first either, but I decided if I want to make to the airline industry I was going to have to obtain my CFI. And when I did and started instructing I actually loved it and miss till this day. I found it rewarding to watch my students obtain their certificates and ratings as they were a reflection of my teachings. I still keep in touch with a lot of them today who are also working for various regional airlines.