caravan and skydiver or continue teachin

[scubabri]

I've got someone who is interested in hiring me as a jump pilot in a Caravan and a 182. The pay is, well, low, and I'm not sure if I should give up my teaching gig, which pays really well, for the caravan thing dropping skydivers.

with my time, will 350 hours of caravan time be worth it, or should I just continue to build up the total time teaching.

b

 

[jumppilot03]

Archway Skydiving?

I got the same e-mail from Archway the other day. Still pondering myself. Best of luck

 

[scubabri]

It's boarderline as to if it's a good opportunity. On one hand it would be good to have the caravan experience, but on the other hand, 350 hours going up and down for a year doesn't make you a better pilot, unless the engine blows up or you get a premature opening on the step or something, or if it was more hours, then it might be worth it... er, if you live.


So, I think that the instructing with flying in the clouds here is probably a bit more benificial, and I'll just keep looking, building that experience

So... I dunno.. it's a long drive from california, Sigh...

b

 

[PA-44Typed]

You might see if you can do both! 350/year sounds part time to me, but I could be wrong. I would really try to do both.

 

[kevdog]

I agree, try to do both if you can...anything less than 100 hours a month is part time and you will be suprised what you will learn while dropping skydivers. It's a little different than teaching...all hand flying, lots of T/O and landings, CG changes, slow flight with people hanging off your plane, etc. and you might try or have to make a jump yourself!

Check out www.diverdriver.com for a little basics on the job. It also lists accidents involved in the ops.

If you take the job, be careful not to bust regs...it's easier than you think and the Feds aren't usually very laid back when it comes to skydiving ops. Goodluck!

 

[scubabri]

I already did. I flew a 182 in the Bahamas for about 6 months, had a great time... in the bahamas. I think they are looking for someone to hang around full time. They have a 182 as well as a Caravan, and most time will be spent in a 182.

So, I'm just gonna continue teaching and building my total time as a flight instructor, and hope that another op comes around with a little more time and a little more money.

Right now I am doing really good finacially as a flight instructor and what I'm looking for now is a step up, either a twin, more imc, or something that will allow me to build more experience.

I'm really kinda hoping that a cargo company finds my resume in the stack and calls me

b