TravisR

Hello, my name is Travis, I am a low time pilot and i have 291 hours and my ifr is currently past that 6 month period. I am looking for a low time pilot job or any job that can point in the right direction of getting a job, I live in Southern Orange county and for the most part all I see is instructing this time of year but I don't have my Instructors Cert. I was hoping that someone could help me by getting a referral to a company out here, or anywhere. I don't have to do flying at first but eventually I will need to segway into that. I'm not just limited to California though I am willing to relocate. Also if you just want a safety pilot or a buddy to fly with I will be glad to fly with you. I am also looking for some contacts to help me in my journey in becoming a successful pilot. So please any help would be appreciated thank you very much.

mtbthis

Certificate - not license... Good luck.

TravisR

Thank you for the correction.

Tpinks

The FAA refers to both actually.

But as far as that first job is concerned, look and ask around at local airports in person. Check into skydiving operations, pipeline patrols, aerial advertising, etc. There are multiple types of jobs out there that can be found that are not instructor jobs. But I will be the first admit that getting those jobs is very hard.

I started out this past June flying skydivers. It was not a paying job, nor a job at all really, as if I had something else going on, I had no obligation to fly jumpers. It was a local mom/pop dropzone that catered to fun skydivers rather than tandems. They were just looking for someone to help on the weekends which is when they are the busiest from 11-5PM, however I would go out around 11AM and stay until we put the planes away. I had multiple friends that had flown there over the past years, building time while earning their CFI's, so I decided to do so as well.

500hrs is the magic number for insurance companies. It is very hard trying to get a company to take a chance on you below this number because of the insurance.

Two weeks ago, I flew myself to an interview in a Mooney and literally parked in front of their office. I know it left a positive impression on the person I interviewed with. Hopefully this week, I will be hearing back from them with a Job offer.

blaquehawk99

Whilst these gentlemen argue over whether its a license or certificate take a look at these two programs:

First, Beg, Borrow, or (do not) Steal $3500 and get your CFI.
Flight Instructor Academy - American Flyers

They have a location in Santa Monica.

Then if you're feeling froggy hit up these guys.
Sierra Academy of Aeronautics

They might be a pilot mill but housing is free and the pay you, you get hours and supposedly help with your CFI-I and MEI

If you can't scare up $3500 for training start haunting some drop zones. Most will want you to have 500 hrs min but some will take 300TT. Check out:

Skydiving Classifieds - New and Used Skydiving Gear | Dropzone.com

Current Jobs Available

Good Luck

BeardedFlyer

Check out both Barr Air Patrol and KCSI Aerial Patrol. They fly oil field and pipeline throughout the country in various piston single engine type planes but they hire "observers" which sit right seat (or back seat with kcsi in their Citabrias) and help spot leaks. About 30% or more of the pipeline patrol flying consists of "dead heads" where you are repositioning from one point of the line to another or back to an airport from the end of a line or whatever and this is where the observers are able to log their flight time. Pay starts around $24-27k from what I've seen with these two companies, but relocation would be required. I dont know a lot about Barr but I flew for KCSI for a while and they are a good operation. You can call their Texas base at 432-523-6228 and ask about their observer positions. Turnover is very high due to people getting their hours and moving on so they are always on the lookout for observers.

I would also do everything in your power to NOT give away your talents at no charge! I hate hearing about new commercial pilots flying with no pay just to build time. There are plenty of dropzones out there that pay, not much, but at least $10 per load in most 182s. Go to dropzone.com and check out their data base of dropzones throughout the country (many in CA). Call them up and then if you can visit the DZs in person that are within driving distance of where you live. With under 500 TT it will be harder but all that means is you have to be more determined and persistent with them. Show them you're a worker and want the job. My first flying job was dropping jumpers out of a 182 at 320 hours TT. The guy I replaced was hired with a fresh comm at 260 something. Just hang around the dz and offer to help out or ask if you can go on a "ride along" just to see what it's like. A lot of pilots see a guy jump out of the airplane next to them with the door wide open at 10k and decide right there dropping jumpers is not for them. Like was already mentioned, banner towing is another great option, but you will need to be tailwheel endorsed for most of them to consider you as the majority of banner towing is in TW aircraft.

And IMO flying into a place in your own plane is a total overkill. Firstly it would be very expensive if you're renting it yourself, and it could kind of give a snobby impression. It shows you're not hungry for work at least that's for sure. Who looking for their first flying job has money to rent a Mooney!? Spend that spare $200 on a perm and zoot suite for the interview.

BeardedFlyer

Certificate: "a document serving as evidence or as written testimony, as of status, qualifications, privileges, or the truth of something."

Synonyms:
License: "formal permission from a governmental or other constituted authority to do something; a certificate, tag, plate, etc., giving proof of such permission."

-English Dictionary

JamesNoBrakes

https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/

paintyourjet

A couple years ago, you would have been starting your first regional airline job already,,,try the iPhone app "ifly jobs for low time pilots"

zondaracer

I have a commercial pilots license... Issued by another country