Aerial Survey Pilot
12-15-2009 | 09:03 AM
#31
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
I have gotten a few more questions about Keystone, so I thought I would post back up. First, I want to disclaim this by saying that I left the company in May 2007. I have talked to a few of the pilots since then, but my information is probably a bit out of date. This is my experience from what had happened historically, and I can't see a reason for them to change since it worked very well for them.
I also want to say that there is a huge difference between aerial survey and aerial photography. While there are cameras used in both, survey work involves a 300 pound camera that is worth somewhere from $500k to $1 million. The camera is mounted to the airplane and takes pictures through a hole cut out of the bottom of the fuselage. This is not taking pretty pictures out the window.
My total time at hire was around 560. I had 27 hours of multi. This was not unheard of. The reason they could do this was that they hired people as photographers. You were responsible for the camera and photos. Pay was not great, but better than starting pay at the regionals. In the 8 months that I was a photographer, I logged around 80 hours of flight time. I would fly on the way to and from jobs, but would hop in the back when it came time to fly the job. Being a photographer first helps greatly when it came time to fly the jobs. Later, as a pilot, I could understand what the photographer was going through and help when problems came up. I also learned the plane by talking with our mechanics and other pilots. I got the upgrade to pilot after 2 pilots left for other opportunities. This was based on time spent at the company, and there was another pilot who had been a photographer longer than me.
Day to day operations are out of Northeast Philadelphia. You were at home every night from September until May, although this was changing as I left. Crews were spending more time on the road as the digital camera was being used more. Office hours started at 7, but as flight crew, you were responsible for being at the job site when the photo window open. If that meant you came in at 6, so be it. From May 30 till sometime in September, you were traveling. One pilot, one photographer, one plane, a suitcase each for 3 months.
Time to fly. Will post up more later.
I also want to say that there is a huge difference between aerial survey and aerial photography. While there are cameras used in both, survey work involves a 300 pound camera that is worth somewhere from $500k to $1 million. The camera is mounted to the airplane and takes pictures through a hole cut out of the bottom of the fuselage. This is not taking pretty pictures out the window.
My total time at hire was around 560. I had 27 hours of multi. This was not unheard of. The reason they could do this was that they hired people as photographers. You were responsible for the camera and photos. Pay was not great, but better than starting pay at the regionals. In the 8 months that I was a photographer, I logged around 80 hours of flight time. I would fly on the way to and from jobs, but would hop in the back when it came time to fly the job. Being a photographer first helps greatly when it came time to fly the jobs. Later, as a pilot, I could understand what the photographer was going through and help when problems came up. I also learned the plane by talking with our mechanics and other pilots. I got the upgrade to pilot after 2 pilots left for other opportunities. This was based on time spent at the company, and there was another pilot who had been a photographer longer than me.
Day to day operations are out of Northeast Philadelphia. You were at home every night from September until May, although this was changing as I left. Crews were spending more time on the road as the digital camera was being used more. Office hours started at 7, but as flight crew, you were responsible for being at the job site when the photo window open. If that meant you came in at 6, so be it. From May 30 till sometime in September, you were traveling. One pilot, one photographer, one plane, a suitcase each for 3 months.
Time to fly. Will post up more later.
02-16-2010 | 12:14 PM
#33
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,413
Likes: 0
From: forever fo
I have about 700 TTL TM, and I tried so hard to get a gig this year, emailed all the places from here, called them, everything, was unable, luckily I got a winter flying gig in NORCAL. I will be back flying jumpers this season in NJ, with some KA90 in there hopefully, but I want to do this next winter, it sounds awesome, I want the hotel points =), I want to travel, I want to do this, anyone have advice when to apply? Can anyone hand walk in a resume for me or something?
07-18-2010 | 09:52 AM
#35
On Reserve
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Air Lawn Mower Operator
Anyone know if anything might still be open? I can't PM anyone here yet, not sure if its a "ask- and shall receive" information, or can be posted publicly... I would love to do that kind of work, not just for the time building (which I do need) but for the experience. Who knows, maybe there's something long term in that..
I tried some searching for these companies, most are probably not listed as survey, and are contracted? How do you find them?
Thank you very much, in advance, to anyone with any input.
PS>I think I might be able to read PM's, if need to send it via that.
I tried some searching for these companies, most are probably not listed as survey, and are contracted? How do you find them?
Thank you very much, in advance, to anyone with any input.
PS>I think I might be able to read PM's, if need to send it via that.
07-18-2010 | 12:45 PM
#36
Line Holder
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
I worked for a company called Northern States Aviation a few years back. Within the next month they will be looking for people for this coming season. It's a decent outfit. It's all in a C172, but I gained 600hrs in 7 months. They require 500TT. See Northern States Aviation, Aerial Survey, Reliable Airborne Platforms, Imaging, Sensing,. Other companies collecting images for the same contractor were Land Care, Air America, and Desert Winds. Not sure if that's changed since I did it.
10-04-2010 | 07:16 AM
#37
New Hire
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: CFI and PA31 PIC
12-01-2010 | 06:01 AM
#38
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
From: PIC Challenger 605
11-15-2011 | 10:26 AM
#39
Flying a Desk
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Flight Operations Manager
This is my first time on the forum, but my company is looking to hire a couple of pilots for aerial survey work. I am the Chief Pilot for Valley Air Photos based in Caldwell, ID. We do the same thing Keystone does, just on a smaller scale. We operate two Cessna 320's and a Beech Bonanza. If you are interested or want more information, pm me or email at [email protected]
11-15-2011 | 03:20 PM
#40
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
This is my first time on the forum, but my company is looking to hire a couple of pilots for aerial survey work. I am the Chief Pilot for Valley Air Photos based in Caldwell, ID. We do the same thing Keystone does, just on a smaller scale. We operate two Cessna 320's and a Beech Bonanza. If you are interested or want more information, pm me or email at [email protected]
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