Banner Towing... again

[huncowboy]

Sorry for bringing up an already discussed topic, but I have read all the posts that had "banner" in the subject line, yet I have not seen one that talked about minimum experience for these jobs. I am wondering what is the absolute shameless min total hours you could go and talk to an employer without knowing anyone.

I live in South FL so the opportunities are around. As a matter of fact one of the best operator mentioned here is right across the field where I am training. Although I am very happy with Delta Connection Academy (where I started from zero hours) and I will get my CFI and the rest of the deal with the academy, I simply would love to fly more and to be honest I would love to fly the cub. I have seen those yellow birds landing slower than we were taxiing on the parallel taxi way... just amazing and seems to be fun flying. I guess it does get bored after a while but it would beat my security job for sure.

Btw I am about to get my commercial (only) but right now due to financing this whole flying is a love and hate thing. I will need until next year summer to finish everything and apart of that I don't see many NEW CFIs around so I am sure there will be a wait. I figure I could go yellow for a year or even longer before getting hired as a CFI (if I get hired that is... talk is that everyone has been hired so far and I have a good record but you just never know... plus I am also a bit old 30+... I need more baskets for the eggs). I definitely don’t want to skip the CFI experience but I just want to fly because between the courses I always have 2-3 months of not flying that is killing me.

To make it shorter here comes the bad part: I only have some 170 hours and zero tail wheel experience. I will probably walk over the field and leave me resume (once I am done with the commercial) anyways but I am just wondering are those guys going to put a boot into my 6 with such a low total hours and no taliwheel endorsement? I guess so...

The other question would be: Where in the Ft. Lauderdale area can I get a tailwheel endorsement. Any recommendations and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[LR25]

A place I fly banners at just hired someone with about 400 hours or so. Every other place I have flown banners there was always a 500 hour minumum and at least 100 hours of tailwheel time.

I would definitely go get a tailwheel endorsment, and then approach a banner operator and find out if you can work the ground and then work yourself into the flying. I wouldnt think that someone will bring you in right from the start towing with your low time. Let them get to know you, put in some work laying and building banners for a while, it will give them a chance to get to know you and make some money, they may offer some flying in the future for some training.

Now the bad side, there seems to be some kind of scam going on where some operators want you to spend several thousand dollars to "train" how to tow banners, do not fall for this BS.

It only will take a day or two to get someone checked out to learn the basics, no big deal.

Just remember though, banner flying isnt the safest thing you could be doing, but its as safe as "you" make it.

PM me anytime if you have questions about anything.

Good luck

 

[huncowboy]

That is what I thought... interesting how someone with 220-250 hours and a fresh CFI might instruct a private pilot candidate, but won't find a banner job.

Thx for the reply. Anyone else?

 

[Aerosurfer]

Im a former banner guy, and There are lots of options around for you. The guys flying the cubs Aerial Sign Company I believe, do hire low time guys. I have talked to some of their pilots and they say it is a blast to work for and their maintenence is supposedly topnotch. Their pay is better than most regionals too!!! I would talk to them first, since Im pretty sure they dont have any pay for training costs. They would let you know if you should get a tailwheel endorsment first or if you can do it through them. The pilot I talked to also said they had full timers, weekenders, travelers and part time flyers.

The company in Panama City FL, where I worked also had no training costs, however you had to sign a contract. (we did have 1 pilot walk out with no reprimand however). we used both Tailwheel and tricycle gear planes. You needed 100 tailwheel to fly the scouts, but only a commercial to operate the trikes. One of our pilots also was hired with about 300 hrs.

PM me for more details or insights on banner towing

 

[ms6073]

..and dont forget to avoid any company that the infamous Tim Pacini (sp?) of Aerial Messages Flying Club fame (Daytona Beach) is associated!


Michael

 

[Aerosurfer]

YES, DEFIANTELY AVOID HIM

I was a Riddle Brat even before banner towing and that guy was just known as the Area Douche-bag. Always felt bad for those people paying 2500 for a "banner Endorsement" WHat a Joke

Glad the word is getting around about this guy