islandhopper668

Hi All, just need some quick input or advice.

I have the typical questions. I'm a PPL ASEL IR with about 310TT in C182. About to finish up my commercial and I have a tentative offer to work for a skydiving outfit this spring&summer flying a C182 with the ability to build serious hours...
Are there any other options I should consider or is this my best option to build hours before college is over in 2017? Looking to end up at Cape Air and then eventually a jet.

Thanks!

Poseidonspulse

The fact that you are still in college and have accomplished what you have already is great. Take the skydive gig and build your hours. More opportunities will come after you hit 500hrs and more at 1200 etc. The only thing is you won't be getting much cross country time. I would have definitely jumped at the chance to do that at your age. You will be making money, building hours and earning valuable experience that will only open more doors in the future. Go for it!

badflaps

You don't have to post here, your plan is sound. Best of luck......Don't forget network,network and network.

Cuervo9606

Skydive flying is cool. I did three drops today, and only stopped because the winds were out of limits. Would do it for a living if it paid more. LOL!
You're going to have a great time. Good luck and have fun.

chrisreedrules

You're on the right track! Keep flying! Work on that multi-engine commercial and when you feel ready, get your CFI. That will open up doors and opportunities for you.

PDTpilotXX

VERY IMPORTANT especially if you're going to cape then an airline... Find something you can build your instrument skills. Flying jumpers all day is easy, fun and helps to pay for multi time and training but you will be behind the curve when you need those ifr skills

Chomeur

My first flying job was as a skydiver driver in a C 182! We flew a '58 and a '59 model, quite weathered and worn, the '59 still had its original "paint" job on it in 1986. Further, this was in Maine, on a dirt strip. This was one of the most fun jobs I ever had - with the most fun people, boss included, that you will meet.
I would highly recommend taking this job. It builds total flight time and will show that you were working while in college on your resume. Don't hold out for that perfect job because it will come in time!
Have fun and enjoy the skydiver culture.

Mjm8710

Not sure if anyone has given this idea to you yet, but I'll throw it out there..

First off, congrats on the ratings-let the fun finally begin!

I personally did the whole CFI thing, but with the new hour requirements there are quicker ways to build your hours. My best friend stated as a CFI and deciced it wasn't for him, so he worked for an aerial survey company that was based in NY. Man, he flew 500-600 hours in XC in only a few months, flew all over the country in a C-172 fitted with all sorts of cameras, made great money.. Basically they gave him the plane and told him where to fly for the next 4-5 months, then would be off for a month or two. His only complaint seemed to be living out of hotels 24/7, but he went from low hours to a regional in only a few months. He literally would fly 8-10 hours a day, everyday as long as the weather was decent. Myself-I was a CFI and it took me 2 years of instructing to get those hours. I'd imagine if you're doing the whole skydive thing, you will need to do a million of those 20-30 min flights to get there. PM me if you're interested I could possibly get you in touch with him.

Tippy

yes there are faster ways. but you will learn way more as a CFI then doing VFR aerial surveying. Not that you wont learn anything, but when you are teaching something you will know it better.

USMCFLYR

Teaching certainly has value and I agree that teaching something over and over drills it into your brain; but teaching a particular thing, over and over, in the same area, with little other experience is the genesis of that 'same hour a thousand times' idea that you hear spouted about on the forum when discussing the value of CFI'ing.

Aerial surveying brings it own set of challenges to a new pilot. S/he may not be teaching anything, but s/he is experiencing a WIDE range of challenges while operating on the road in a WIDE range of circumstances and environments.

As usual, the best approach probably lies somewhere in the middle.