alternates to CFIing

[BritishGuy]

How long did that 1000hrs flying jumpers take?

 

[Lead Sled]

How long did that 1000hrs flying jumpers take?

Huh? My gues was that it took about 1,000 hours.

 

[DR400]

1000 h...about a year and a half...Mostly weekends and holidays, with some days flying 8 hours.
Do the maths, at $8 up to $15 per load, not too bad for an "in-between" job

 

[labbats]

1000 h...about a year and a half...Mostly weekends and holidays, with some days flying 8 hours.
Do the maths, at $8 up to $15 per load, not too bad for an "in-between" job

How can you log 1000 hours in a year and a half flying jumpers part-time, when I'm barely scratching that amount as a full-time CFI?

 

[DR400]

Almost every weekend...sometimes a full week (DZs love Spring Break)...average 5 to 8 hours a day.
http://www.dropzone.com/dropzone find a DZ nearby if you are fed up with traffic patterns.

Take care.

 

[Bandit60]

I learned more in the first 100hrs of flight intruction then I did in the previous 300 hrs as a pilot and a student. Like most of the others here, I believe it is a great way to get good experience. Don't forget that experiences are all the screw up things you have done.

 

[DR400]

Other alternative (even if logging that time is questionable but the experience is good to take) :
Right Seat program at Simuflite...Check their website for details.

 

[avbug]

no CFI'ing is NOT FUN.

Speak for yourself. I enjoy it.

You might be able to fly that amount with jumpers in a 182 at an active DZ, pushing 45 minutes to an hour per load for high loads. But not in a Caravan, when its' only .3 up and down. 15 loads is a busy day, figure at 4.5 hours at .3 a load. Figure 100 good jump days a year, for weekends (few if any DZ's see continuous jumping on the weekdays). That's closer to 450 hours a year at a busy DZ, in a Caravan.

 

[DR400]

Avbug you are right...In this case turbine time does not help a time builder (especially a low timer).
Also CFI'ing, if a pilot wants to reach a commercial career, is a good way to sharpen your regs for future interviews.
I enjoyed both, I recommend both....Better than PFT .
Just don't fall in the routine and stay focus on your goal.

 

[labbats]

Dropping jumpers sounds like a blast. And I second the idea that being a CFI teaches you valuable skills, even moreso your CFII and MEI. But I'd also say that past 500 dual given you get in a rut and need to move on if possible.