New Pilot Southern Arizona / Tucson
 

I am a newly minted commercial pilot (ASEL) relocating to Tucson, AZ next week. I am trying to gauge what type of work (if any) is available for low time pilots. I'm up for anything banner towing, survey, photo, jump pilot - you name it. And yes at a detriment to the industry for minimum pay because I need to build hours. I'm also open to relocating, working long hours, whatever it takes!

Flight Experience
TOTAL: 251
XC: 97
COMPLEX: 71
PIC: 164
INST: 59
MEDICAL: 2ND CLASS

medical
 

Get youself a First Class license, you'll need it

Yes agreed. I was warned against going for it just before my c/ride incase anything came up as we didn't want to delay the c/ride. It will be on of the first things I do when I get down there.

Getting your CFI will open a lot of doors for you. You also don't have to work for minimum pay considering the average is around 28k. Otherwise, you could work as a jump pilot. I see a lot of skydiving operations around.

I was initially intending to do my CFII, but the flight school I was at here in WA I was using SallieMae. I only got as far as my commercial and now I'm relocating to AZ. I have looked at every flight school I can find in Tucson and they all seem to be A) very expensive B) have no financing (other than pilot finance which I'd rather use my credit card than pay those absurd interest rates) or C) don't offer CFII/ME training. If anyone can recommend a good flight school / private instructor (with airplane) in Tucson that could be helpful too.

CFI intial should cost no more than 2K(including checkride fee) and take no more than 1-3 weeks. If you have low time their is no excuse to not have it. Tucson is not the best place to be for a 250 TT pilot trying to furthing their career(with no CFI). Transpac in Phoenix would probably hire you, if you had your CFI. I know CFIs that were hired by a flight school with only had 160 hours.

Cost break down of CFI rating:

Download books from FAA.gov for free

Take written tests - $200

Study

10 hours in 172RG - $1000.

X amount hours dual - $500-$800

Free Checkride from FAA

Total price $1700-$2000

10 hours $1000? Are you kidding me. You can't find a regular 172 for 100 an hour. Unless the aircraft is on it's last leg and probably un-airworthy.

It's called networking... how long have you been in the industry?

Even with networking you would be hard pressed to find 172's at 100 an hour..