Aerial Survey Pilot
01-23-2007, 07:51 AM
#11
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Posts: 36
i know few people that got out of flying the twin otter at the grand canyon for Grand Canyon Airlines. the pay sux, but if you really want the time i know they will be looking for people for the season sometime soon... now i'm not suggesting you go there, (i wouldn't) but if u want that twin otter there it is...
01-23-2007, 08:25 AM
#12
Flying Farmer
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: Turbo-props' and John Deere's
Posts: 3,160
Originally Posted by kochankr
i know few people that got out of flying the twin otter at the grand canyon for Grand Canyon Airlines. the pay sux, but if you really want the time i know they will be looking for people for the season sometime soon... now i'm not suggesting you go there, (i wouldn't) but if u want that twin otter there it is...
01-23-2007, 10:11 AM
#13
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: Airline Captain (cargo)
Posts: 78
Originally Posted by 172capt
I am currently employed by one of these aerial mapping companies. Yes we do build time quickly. We fly 7 days a week as long as the weather is good if we are doing photo missions. If we are ferrying from one location to the next we are allowed to go ifr. Typical pay is better than your first year at a regional, but do realize when the wheels stop your day is not over.... paper work to fill out, reports to send, hard drives to ship off. So what was only suppose to be a 9-4 day just turned into a 9-530 day, and as the days get longer so does our availble collection window. But the big thing is I dont have a apartment, car, or other misc living expense bills so we save alot of money in that respect. As to getting a job with these companies most require 500 tt, but the big thing (as we all know in the aviation industry) is who you know. I got on with my current company through a friend who works here and he got on through a friend that worked here. There is also a few of our pilots who have got on by meeting us while working line service at a aiport we based out of while working an area and kept in touch. I would like to pass on what my friend did for me and help you out with my company but I cant cause we are fully staffed and have a couple of relief pilots who are next in line to take over. IF you have any other question feel free to send me a note and I will try to help you out in anyway possible. So feel free to ask more questions.
First of all thanks for all the info. I have been trying to send you a private message and ask you some questions, but since I'm a new member I don't have access to it at the moment. What is the name of the company you are working for? how much flight time do you get a month? Do you have to sign a 10 months contract? And how much is the pay? I have heard it is usually only 6 months contract. you can e-mail me at [email protected] to answer this qustions.
Once again thank you and look forward hearing from you.
KDUA
Last edited by KDUA; 01-23-2007 at 12:05 PM.
01-23-2007, 01:48 PM
#14
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: Short Bus Right
Posts: 43
Originally Posted by Ewfflyer
This is what I hate about the industry, there's "build your time jobs" that know it, and scam you for hardly any pay. It's BS!, but as long as people are willing, it'll stay that way.
If you were a small GA business owner what would you do? Pay someone a higher rate to fly a single or twin who may or may not be a good employee? This same pilot will have serious Jet-ITIS as 99% of your qualified pilot will or do. Or have low expectations for them to be an average to good employee but great pilot and watch them hit the door in a few months. A high turnover rate of pilots for GA keeps labor low but lowers customer service and usually gives the business a higher insurance premium but a higer safety margin as pilots are not as complacent. GA is a tougher market than the Airlines when it comes to management and most pilots have no clue as they have Jet-itis and think they can do better.
Remember the Market sets pay rates. If someone will fly a 737 for 40/hour than a major airline will fill that seat. If someone will fly a 182 for 40/hour than a GA company will fill that seat. The catch is both pilots will never be happy staying in either seat at that rate for too long.
02-06-2007, 11:52 PM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,282
172 Capt works for the same company I do...
Our season runs from Sept/Oct until May. During that time, you will be living on the road, out of a suitcase and hotel. You ferry wherever your going, and are expected to fly 7 days a week, holidays included (weather permitting).
Our parent company is Pictometry, and they give all our contracts to us. They currently contract to Desert Wind Air Service, Landcare, Rochester Aerial Mapping, Nothern States, and Air America.
So, best times to get hired would be between May and September, when everyone decides to move on, and seats need to be refilled!
Its all VFR work, with IFR ops during ferrying times (mainly only in the warmer months, or warmer areas of the US).
We're paid on salary, thank goodness...I just arrived in SFO and we're forcasted to have 7 days of rain....lots of time to do whatever you want. The reverse is also true though...Last season I got an oil change on a monday, and had to get another one that saturday (50hr tach time). You can build some fast time here.
The flying is actually quite fun too...we mainly do metro areas....I spent countless hours orbiting on the departure and arrival ends of DFW, LAX, MSP, CHS, etc etc etc. Some people get pretty annoyed when theyre restricted above or below you, so you can work in your 172 =)
-Imp
Our season runs from Sept/Oct until May. During that time, you will be living on the road, out of a suitcase and hotel. You ferry wherever your going, and are expected to fly 7 days a week, holidays included (weather permitting).
Our parent company is Pictometry, and they give all our contracts to us. They currently contract to Desert Wind Air Service, Landcare, Rochester Aerial Mapping, Nothern States, and Air America.
So, best times to get hired would be between May and September, when everyone decides to move on, and seats need to be refilled!
Its all VFR work, with IFR ops during ferrying times (mainly only in the warmer months, or warmer areas of the US).
We're paid on salary, thank goodness...I just arrived in SFO and we're forcasted to have 7 days of rain....lots of time to do whatever you want. The reverse is also true though...Last season I got an oil change on a monday, and had to get another one that saturday (50hr tach time). You can build some fast time here.
The flying is actually quite fun too...we mainly do metro areas....I spent countless hours orbiting on the departure and arrival ends of DFW, LAX, MSP, CHS, etc etc etc. Some people get pretty annoyed when theyre restricted above or below you, so you can work in your 172 =)
-Imp
12-08-2009, 05:57 AM
#17
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2009
Posts: 45
Imp,
Looks like I may be signing on with an Aerial Survey Company soon. Don't know if your still in this game, but if so, just had a couple questions. Is it commonplace in this field for contract pilots to be allowed to commute? The company has offered to fly me in when I come on rotation and pay for my lodging and car while I'm on. One of the pilots there told me this is standard practice in the business. Also, what is your sched. like? This company requires two weeks on with a week off. Sounds like a pretty good gig, just wanted an inside opinion. Hope all's well. Cheers.
Looks like I may be signing on with an Aerial Survey Company soon. Don't know if your still in this game, but if so, just had a couple questions. Is it commonplace in this field for contract pilots to be allowed to commute? The company has offered to fly me in when I come on rotation and pay for my lodging and car while I'm on. One of the pilots there told me this is standard practice in the business. Also, what is your sched. like? This company requires two weeks on with a week off. Sounds like a pretty good gig, just wanted an inside opinion. Hope all's well. Cheers.
12-08-2009, 12:48 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: Whale FO
Posts: 267
Originally Posted by Plantation Air
Imp,
Looks like I may be signing on with an Aerial Survey Company soon. Don't know if your still in this game, but if so, just had a couple questions. Is it commonplace in this field for contract pilots to be allowed to commute? The company has offered to fly me in when I come on rotation and pay for my lodging and car while I'm on. One of the pilots there told me this is standard practice in the business. Also, what is your sched. like? This company requires two weeks on with a week off. Sounds like a pretty good gig, just wanted an inside opinion. Hope all's well. Cheers.
Looks like I may be signing on with an Aerial Survey Company soon. Don't know if your still in this game, but if so, just had a couple questions. Is it commonplace in this field for contract pilots to be allowed to commute? The company has offered to fly me in when I come on rotation and pay for my lodging and car while I'm on. One of the pilots there told me this is standard practice in the business. Also, what is your sched. like? This company requires two weeks on with a week off. Sounds like a pretty good gig, just wanted an inside opinion. Hope all's well. Cheers.
12-09-2009, 05:08 AM
#19
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2009
Posts: 45
Originally Posted by WmuGrad07
It sounds like you got a different survey type of job with the two on one off deal. Picto pilots are oct-may basically. Good luck with the new job. What are you going to be flying?
It's an aerial mapping and surveying company (Lidar etc.) that also does aerial photography. They do a one year contract so it sounds like you're right, in that it's not seasonal. They operate four planes. A centurion, a Partnevia, a Navajo and a Turbo Commander. Looking forward to it. I'll let you know how it goes. By the way, have you flown for a survey company? If so, just wondering what you thought of it. Regardless, cheers and have a happy holidays!
12-12-2009, 10:23 AM
#20
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2009
Posts: 45
13.3 Hours in the air yesterday. If you want time, give aerial survey a try. I never realized how many operations are out there. Seems that the major players don't really advertise but anyone looking might contact, keystone. They run a fleet of 14 310s and Navajos. Pay is much better than the regionals (although most of the time is piston) and as it's contract, schedules are more flexible. Regardless, just a suggestion. I never considered it until someone from this forum was kind enough to enlighten me. Certainly not a glamorous gig, but it's paid flying and it provides ever changing venues. I flew into Missouri yesterday and ended up in Alabama this morning. That was my first day. Definately OTJT. Cheers and good luck. Also feel free to e-mail me as I can come up with some other company names.
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