Cloud Seeding?

[Kingair1181]

I took a job out in West Texas for a cloud seeding company and I was just wondering if anyone on here has worked for similar company or could provide me any more insight before I start training and work. I'll be flying a Comanche 250 and I'll be seeding from the base of the clouds. From what I understand it seems like a fairly straight forward job - I have a dedicated controller who works for the company who vectors me (and another aircraft) towards the clouds and I wait until I get into an updraft and then fire off the flares attached to the aircraft. If anyone else can provide some insight or their own experience I'd apperciate it.

 

[gear goes down]

That’s sounds like fun!!!! I want your job!!!!

 

[Kingair1181]

[FONT=&quot]Actually from talking to my boss it seems too good of a job to be true... They are in the middle right now of actually doing NON scheduled work on the 250 "just so we know you have a good aircraft to fly" I can rent the plane at the cost of fuel on my days off, and my boss seems to be laid back and easy to work with…. Where is the catch[/FONT]

 

[Storm Chaser]

Kingair,
I did this for a couple of seasons with another company. It is some good flying. Just watch out for the downdrafts, gust fronts, and hail and you should be all right. Pvt. me if you have any other questions.
storm

 

[mpflies2]

That’s sounds like fun!!!! I want your job!!!!

HAHAHAH, gear goes down.... i love that avatar. classic

 

[gear goes down]

HAHAHAH, gear goes down.... i love that avatar. classic

Thanks mpflies2.


Actually cloud seeding as something I have always wanted to do, even before I started flying. I have a question for you, what is the minimums for flight time, multi time, starting pay, and stuff like that? Are there even that many companies that do this? I suppose I could just do freight and that would be about the same……

 

[Wankel7]

Chemtrails anybody?

 

[NW_Pilot]

I took a job out in West Texas for a cloud seeding company and I was just wondering if anyone on here has worked for similar company or could provide me any more insight before I start training and work. I'll be flying a Comanche 250 and I'll be seeding from the base of the clouds. From what I understand it seems like a fairly straight forward job - I have a dedicated controller who works for the company who vectors me (and another aircraft) towards the clouds and I wait until I get into an updraft and then fire off the flares attached to the aircraft. If anyone else can provide some insight or their own experience I'd apperciate it.

Wasent that job posted here in the employment forum? if so wonder what the final bid was?

 

[Kingair1181]

I found the job on climbto350 - I am not sure how many companies do it but I know that they have at least 7 areas in Texas alone that they cloud seed and I'd assume they have similar operations in many of the plains states. I got hired on w/ around 650 TT and 230 Multi but I think it helped that my new boss and I both graduated from the same college

I am not sure if there was a minimum flight time but I'd assume around 500 hrs TT. Comanche is a single engine so not even sure if you needed any multi. I won't say my pay but I'll say that for where I am living it is a decent amount. I just knew that I'd be there for 6 months and I'd find an apartment (actually found a nice one for $320/month!) so I'd save a lot there and not get a hotel - which i knew a lot of guys factored into their desired pay. I am getting around what most guys make 1st yr at a regional - which ya I know sucks but like I said West Texas is a lot cheaper to live then say STL or NYC or even Houston. Plus I think it will be a fun job.

 

[NW_Pilot]

I found the job on climbto350 - I am not sure how many companies do it but I know that they have at least 7 areas in Texas alone that they cloud seed and I'd assume they have similar operations in many of the plains states. I got hired on w/ around 650 TT and 230 Multi but I think it helped that my new boss and I both graduated from the same college

I am not sure if there was a minimum flight time but I'd assume around 500 hrs TT. Comanche is a single engine so not even sure if you needed any multi. I won't say my pay but I'll say that for where I am living it is a decent amount. I just knew that I'd be there for 6 months and I'd find an apartment (actually found a nice one for $320/month!) so I'd save a lot there and not get a hotel - which i knew a lot of guys factored into their desired pay. I am getting around what most guys make 1st yr at a regional - which ya I know sucks but like I said West Texas is a lot cheaper to live then say STL or NYC or even Houston. Plus I think it will be a fun job.

Yep, sounds like the same job. I sent in a Bid for $2,000 a mo they said it was to much I counter offered at $1,500 a mo they said that also did not fit their budget. They were more intrested in my electronics skills rather than my flying skills. let us know how it works out.

Posted on climbto350

April 24 - September 30
Commercial Instrument SEL
Pecos, Texas
Cloud seeding
www.just-clouds.com
PIC time in Comanche 250 desireable
Contract labor temporary position
Submit salary requirements ($/month)
NOTE: Housing/per diem not provided, so you should include these costs in your salary requirements when you apply (figure out the hotel, car, food, laundry, etc.)
E-mail your resume AND cover letter including your salary requirements and ALL aircraft time in make and model to: [email protected]
No telephone calls.