Getting into contract work

[flydaddy0499]

Well, I'm thinking of taking the plunge into the world of contract flying. I am current in Hawker 800 and 700. I would be leaving the tiring 135 business for something hopefully easier on the QOL. My questions to all of you contract guys are these:

1. How did you get started in contract work?
2. What would be a fair rate to charge?
3. Do you use any contract placement services?
4. Are there any contract placement services to stay away from?

Any and all advice concerning contract flying would be greatly appreciated.

 

[falconpilot]

I flew contract for a little over a year. It's not all its cracked up to be in my opinion. Word of mouth was my greatest marketing tool. I never used a contract service or anything like that. Not familiar with Hawker daily rates, but I charged $650 a day for a Falcon 10 and $750 for the Falcon 50. I charge the same thing for the right seat as I do the left seat + expenses + my airline ticket to where ever the plane is. I've been burned on recouping expenses, so if you need me that bad your gonna pay. I would think the Hawker would fall into that range somwhere. Your profile says you have 3500hrs.. You may have a problem meeting "open pilot" insurance requirements for left seat. I would look into that. Also when you run out of currency, you'll have to pay for your own recurrent training. Unless one of your clients are willing to pay for it for you. I kept pretty busy, but I covered 6 different airplanes. DA10, DA50, DA20, DA200, DA900, and King Air. There is a web site called flycontract.com or something close to that. You may want to check that out. Keep in mind that 25% of every dollar you make is going to go the IRS, unless you create your own LLC, or corp. Contract flying can be great if you have a good clientel built up, but when your phone quits ringing for a few weeks or a month, it can be frustrating. Oh one more thing... Medical insurance is expensive. I didn't realize how much it was until I had to start paying it for myself.

 

[Shag McNasty]

I agree with falconpilot. If you're looking for easier QOL then contracting is NOT the answer. You have to work when there's work to be done because you never know if you'll have work next week. When you're not flying you'll spend most of your day on the phone marketing yourself trying to find the next contract. You are running your own business and it takes a lot of time and energy to build a successful business. Oh yeah, and it doesn't happen overnight.

 

[flydaddy0499]

Thanks for the info. I would be interested to hear from anyone who has used a contract placement service. Also, have most of you used contract work just to get a permanent gig, or really pursued it as a career option?

 

[Spooky 2]

You may find it advantageous tp keep that Part qual when you start marketing your self. No use turning down possible work just because it has that 135 smell.

 

[Jurasicpilot]

Look at some of the freight dogs if you want QOL. ATI has some great schedules. I was trying to get on there as an instructor but they dont hire anyone over 60. Ive been doing some 91 work on side moving heavies around and thats not too bad. However its feast or famine but I have a retirement to fall back on.