Any pipeline, cropduster, Traffic watch?

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

I'm scheduled to begin a CFI job in Houston around August. I just wanted to get some insight on what a typical day as a Crop duster, Traffic watcher, Pipeline, etc, aviators have to say about their field. It appears that the market in the regionals is going to be tied up for who knows how long. If I grow tired of CFI work after a period of time, I may be interested in another GA job like the ones listed. Can anyone tell me about what a typical day in one of these, or other fields is like? Is the pay any better than CFI?

Regards,
TA

 

[pipers]

if your willing to take some advise from a hippie.....
i don't know how it is around the rest of the country, but where i live, the local traffic watch doesn't even pay their pilots and they have people lined up to build hours....kind of sad. i think that you'll find instructing to be very rewarding for the time being in both job satisfaction and pay. my traffic watch buddies are bored out of their minds...primary instruction is seldom boring.

 

[jergar999]

Crop dusting PAYS, but it's SCARY!!

 

[bugchaser]

I wouldn't necessarily say that crop dusting is scary. It just demands a great deal of attention and respect. Its no different than other types of flying. As for the original question about a typical day, there is no typical day. Thats what I like about this type of flying. This time of year the day usually starts around 4:30. I try to get to the airport and have the airplane ready to go before dawn. Usually take off in the dark and get to the first field just as it starts to get light. Work until the wind gets too strong and then work on airplane, etc. until just before dark and maybe get another load out when the wind goes down. Get home around 10:00 pm. Will be on this schedule from now until October, 7 days/week. Not much free time. Can pay pretty well after you are established. With no experience you will probably make more as an instructor. If you have some turbine time that might help with getting a job. Right now good jobs are pretty few and far between. One more thing, you really need to have a love for agriculture to do well in this type of flying. Flying the airplane is a small part of what it takes to be an ag pilot. For me it is a marriage of two things that I really enjoy. Good luck on whatever you decide.

 

[jumppilot]

primary instruction is seldom boring.

I have to disagree with you. Every job, including being a CFI, becomes boring. It gets old, especially when you realize you'd rather be flying, going from point A to B, using the skills you've learned, rather than showing someone else how to do it, day in day out.

It took me about 900 hours dual given until I felt that way. As a result, I took a second job flying jumpers on the weekend which really helped bring back my love of flying.