Any Ag pilots here
03-15-2014 | 06:33 AM
#1
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Any Ag pilots here
Hi, I'm new here. I'm an Ag pilot, 4000 TT, 1500 turboprop, 175 multi no 121 time. Just wondering if there's any former Ag drivers on here that made the switch to 121 flying.
I own a 3 plane operation but considering a career change
Would I have a chance of getting on with a good regional? Thanks in advance.
I own a 3 plane operation but considering a career change
Would I have a chance of getting on with a good regional? Thanks in advance.
03-15-2014 | 03:39 PM
#2
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From: FO
Any Ag pilots here
I would say yes. if you meet the FAR part 61.159 requirements they will call you in. just have to have requirements met for the ATP. and as the hiring manager suggested, un less you apply you wouldn't know. i would say its a good idea to put in your application in with regionals you want to work for.
03-15-2014 | 07:41 PM
#3
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I would like to keep my business going but that requires about 3-4 months off every summer. Any regionals that might work with a guy on that ? Or is it full time or nothing? I know the 121 work isn't seasonal like Ag flying. We typically put on about 500 hrs from June 15th to August 15th. Pretty hard and fast
03-15-2014 | 10:20 PM
#5
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From: PLEASE ADVISE
Any Ag pilots here
You might be able to get a senior reserve line and keep a phone on you. Peel out of the patch and head out over to the port if you get called. Sounds kinda implausible, though.
03-16-2014 | 05:13 AM
#7
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From: AT802
Me. I've made the switch from Ag to airlines twice. The money in Ag and the lack of money at the airlines always made me go back.
The regional that I worked for had restrictions on outside commercial flying and I suspect most of them are the same. I'm also a real Eastern pilot. My time was short, but I think they allowed it as long as it didn't cause a legality issue.
Most regionals are like sweat shops and they will want all of your time available to them. My experience was they were not willing to work with me at all with outside flying except when the staffing would allow for a leave of absence, but if you own your own business you might pull it off if you employ someone that's willing to step up and cover for you.
Or just wing it and hope you don't get caught. I wouldn't know anything about that
The regional that I worked for had restrictions on outside commercial flying and I suspect most of them are the same. I'm also a real Eastern pilot. My time was short, but I think they allowed it as long as it didn't cause a legality issue.
Most regionals are like sweat shops and they will want all of your time available to them. My experience was they were not willing to work with me at all with outside flying except when the staffing would allow for a leave of absence, but if you own your own business you might pull it off if you employ someone that's willing to step up and cover for you.
Or just wing it and hope you don't get caught. I wouldn't know anything about that
03-16-2014 | 06:47 AM
#8
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
I would like to keep my business going but that requires about 3-4 months off every summer. Any regionals that might work with a guy on that ? Or is it full time or nothing? I know the 121 work isn't seasonal like Ag flying. We typically put on about 500 hrs from June 15th to August 15th. Pretty hard and fast
No, summer is the busy season for airlines too. A reserve might not work in Feb or Oct, but you wouldn't get the summer off. Pretty much all airlines require that you don't do any outside commercial flying...otherwise they can't track your flight time limits. A few might give you special permission but probably only if you could show that you wouldn't exceed your 1000 hours (in a rolling 365 days) and turn into a pumpkin. 500 hours? Not a chance.
Tough decision you have to make. Can you keep the business going without doing the flying yourself?
03-16-2014 | 08:36 AM
#10
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From: AT802
Ag flying will soon be replaced by UAVs, which would be more profitable to operate than aircraft. You would be better off learning to fly UAVs than to go 121.
A lot of things will need to change before it's feasible.
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