March to 1500, keep your head up!
 

Yesterday, after logging 7 hours at my part time pipe line job, was sort of discouraged that the total in my logbook was just 677. So, that is 7 hours with no autopilot, at 800 feet, in class B, above swamps/ocean, and a steep turn about every 5 minutes. I seem to be working really hard towards my goal, but 1500 is a lot of long hours. A friend of mine had a good thought, that my last hundred hours came much quicker than my first hundred hours. By the time I get a thousand, the last 500 will seem like a breeze. At 3000, people probably stop counting except round numbers.

I set a two year goal to get 1500, which is only about 8 hours a week while working full time on my engineering job and letting my daughter get a little older. Plan is to finish my CFI up since I have already taken the written test. Then on average; fly my plane 2-3 hours a week, fly pipeline 3, and CFI 2 hours. Moving isn't really in the cards since we own a business in town, and would not be surprised if it turned into 3 years.

I know lots of other people are in the same boat on this board, but keep your head up and keep pushing towards your goal. No special rules, everyone builds time one hour at a time.

Chuggin along with banner towing at a nice 35 hours a month.... :rolleyes:

Who does Pipeline at <1000TT?

I'm at 950, but at 70-80/month, I should hit ATP mins this summer. Keep chopping wood, you'll be there soon!
The first 500 hours are usually the slow ones to build.

7h logged in one day, part time....jeez, I work full time and I get to log maybe 10-12/week haha.

I need one of those jobs :-)

Keep logging man, it'll be worth it.


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Yeah I came to say that too... Granted I don't really "know" anyone, so I'm sure that's the obvious answer. But all I ever saw were stupid high mins like 1500 and tailwheel time.

Or being an observer on a c172 😂

What's your goal and where do you live? You wanna go to the airlines?

Yes, I would eventually like to end up flying for the airlines. I talked to some FedEx pilots in Japan, and they told me not to overlook flying boxes since they rarely complain. I live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Lafayette, LA checking in.......expect a pm for a job referral once I get my commercial :D:D:D

Baton Rouge
 

I am in Hammond la what company are you working for part time? All of the pipeline jobs I have seen require 1500 I’ve been observing for Barr air patrol in the same area you fly over the swamp slowly building time and flying dead legs looking for something better.

Hi xrider,
What are the requirements for an observer position ?
What kind of terms and conditions ?
Thanks

I'm hesitant to say the company since there are three of us that split about 14-15 hours a week. If he gets applications, then my hours might go down. The observer is one of two retired guys that each have over 8000 hours, so the 1500 requirement is not a necessity for a pilot and they just like being in the air. Besides retired guys, how do pipeline companies get guys with over 1500 hours to fly 500-1500 ft with no AC, 90+ F outside temps, etc. for long periods of time? I'm doing this to obtain a goal, not bake to death in the summertime for 30 years. Opening the window last few weeks to take pics in freezing temps has not been fun.

I got my SE and multi commercial with fly by knight in Hammond. If looking to build hours full time, should get your CFI and work with them since they stay busy. The other option is sky lens? or some similar sounding name that is based next door to them. I work full time, so just picking up stuff on the side for now.

Sky Lens is considered one of the best Survey gigs out there and can be very competitive. The owner (or CP?) posts hiring info and updates on the Jetcareers forum. Seems most hired are quite high time with significant multi time.

Boxes never complain, but they certainly leak, combust, and explode if not taken proper care of. That combined with operating almost exclusively when your body wants to be sleeping presents its own set of challenges. Personally, I'm happy flying the friendly skies in (mostly) daylight hours, with a stellar maintenance program. Makes the few whiney pax seem not so bad...just my .02

North shore
 

Any LA pilots near the North shore and looking for a weekend time building gig? Good people, good pay, and around 10 - 15 hours/weekend. I'd love to stay and keep flying, but I have obligations in Wisconsin come April. I'd sure like to find them another pilot before I leave though, pm if you're interested, I'll get you the details.

Also, I'm curious, what are you flying for a pipe line patrol plane? The only thing I see around here are Citabarias, which make me wonder ... why? Why limit yourself to tailwheel pilots and fabric covered airplanes when a C-150 or C-172 would do the job cheaper and open up your pilot pool?

I fly in a C177B. 180hp. Gets the job done. I've seen GA8s, C182s, M20Cs, P.68s, C208Bs and even B200s used as pipeline patrol aircraft.

Most of those make more sense than the Citabria, but I suppose the powers that be know more than I do about aircraft selection.

The main advantage of the Citabria is the fuel flow is about 6 gph for cruise of 105 kts. A 172 with 180hp engine at 2450 burns around 10 gph for 120kts. Know several people that use a 182RG which goes 140 at 12 gph for pipeline.

Civil air patrol. I flew with them for seven years and got a few hundred hours. Only had to pay for 4 hours to get my checkout. Theres alo of other requirements involved but its another avenue to gain time affordably

Urp99,
check your pm !

They may post that but insurance & ratty pipeline 172s dont go hand in hand. Got hired on with 320TT.

I'd check out Eagle Sky Patrol, Barr, KGSI, American Patrols, Guardian, Hawkeye Helicopters ( They have fixed wing )

got my hours in under 6mo.

Keep rippin along you'll be done before you know it! Enjoy the time, there are still aspects I miss. Mostly flying 200' and buzzing the occasional farmer.

Well I am being an observer for Barr right now and they are saying 1500 because of the oil companies requirements not so much insurance requirements. Who did you get on with at 320?

Either way why be an observer when you can go on your own solo adventure with any of the aforementioned companies. I was with ESP.

I work for Eagle Sky Patrol. PM me for any questions. I got hired on at 500 in August we usually want 750. I should have my hours by July time.

Eagle sky patrol
 

I am a little lower than 500 but I’m in range I have about 415 at the moment, how do I get in touch with eagle sky patrol? It seems like I tried to look them up Before. Also I appreciate the information.

You guys all have the right attitude. Keep going, the hours will keep adding up. When I was low time it could get pretty discouraging feeling like I would never get to my goal. Just remember, aviation is a marathon not a drag race. For those of you who are flexible in where you move for a job, you might try looking at some 135 VFR operators up in Alaska. It was one of the best experiences of my career, and I would recommend it to anyone who's able to go. Just some food for thought. Keep it up guys!

It feels like a never ending battle! But should get there quickly as a CFI.

I'm committed to a skydiving operation until October of this year,
but after that Alaska is definitely on my list of places to look for work! I took a summer and drove to Alaska a few years ago and just bummed around, fell in love with the place and can't wait to get back!
I'm currently at just under a thousand hours, should have close to 1500 by fall, and have my AP/IA with 25 years of experience in the industry. Any recommendations on places to apply to? Or areas to live? I'm currently thinking the South East or Anchorage, but I'm trying to get as much information as possible.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

Pilot at ESP, peaked out at 60hours in a week. Haven’t flown once Natural Gas lines stopped. Hoping to pick up a line once the weather warms up.


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I have put my resume in with all of these companies. I am new to the pipeline world. When does pipeline start getting busy?

About this time. End of February. May was my busiest month over 200hrs. Dependent on which part of the midwest thaws out first. That's when they get ready to plant crops agin, prepare fields.

Great thank you.....200/month. That's a lot of flying. I got an email back last nigh from one of the companies asking if I was willing to relocate.(obviously with 325TT) I am.
Do most of these companies pay by the hour or salary? make you sign a contract?

Those willing to do whatever it takes and relocate even multiple times are the ones that will succeed. ESP was by the mile, including deadhead to / from the lines. .22c/mile. Worked out to mid $20s/hr. And then you get $100 a night perdiem. Either $100 to a hotel + food on company card or you can pocket it all if you use your own credit card; sleep in a roach motel or FBO couch. I did the couch option most + cheap fast food so you can really keep ~90$ of that 100, and spread out over the day ( 8-12hrs ) raises your hourly rate tremendously. You only get paid what you fly though which makes it fun and interesting with MVFR and lower weather.

No contract with ESP. They were butthurt I left before a year but I had the hrs fast and gave adequate notice.


Edit: to contract Q