How common is contract flying?

[FlyMeSWA]

Just wondering how common/uncommon, easy/difficult it is to find contract flying. And if there is any out there available, how competitive is it? I'm asking because I'm thinking of taking a position that would get me SIC initial in a light business jet for a 135 operator. Looking to see if getting some time on the side is a realistic opportunity or not with such paperwork.

-Dr. Van Nostrin (From the Clinic)

 

[BoilerPilot]

Contract Flying...

Not really focusing on the super corporate world such as the medium to large jets....I live in an area of the country where bigger airplanes (light twins up) are spread pretty far around. Most of these airplanes do not fly that much and there is a pretty good market for contract flying. However, a pretty shotty market for full-time posistions. Anyhew, the key of contract flying is you HAVE to know someone PERIOD END OF STORY. Another aspect is usually contract stuff comes up pretty quick so you need to be flexible. Which also means you have to be qual'd and current on the airplane as well as the INSURANCE. Insurance is the last deciding factor on most contract stuff. If you don't meet open pilot mins for most aircraft you want to fly then you can almost toss contract by the way side. Like I said though, if you get to know an owner or their full time pilot real well and can convince them to put you on insurance than go for it and good luck. It is a lot of fun flying contract most of the time, but a very hard arena to break into.

 

[Hawker800]

Who you know and Insurance is the name of the game. SIC initial will not get you very far even though it is a type now. The insurance people like to see time in type, PIC initial, and total hours overall. If you can find a way around the insurance issue, there is work out there. Good luck.

 

[FlyMeSWA]

good info, thanks for the help guys.

 

[Shamus]

Who you know and Insurance is the name of the game. SIC initial will not get you very far even though it is a type now.

Now that's a streach. There is an SIC type for internationl ops, but that's not really a type at all.

You are right though, it is all about who you know. I've been a contract pilot now for about 10 months making double what i was when i was on salary. Keep in mind it can be feast or famine, but it treats me pretty well.

 

[H.Agenda]

Shamus, what area of the country do you fly? Southeast?

 

[Shamus]

Shamus, what area of the country do you fly? Southeast?

South Florida, that's why it was so easy to make double what i was making on salery LOL.

Not to hijack the thread, but anyone have any contract work or a full time gig in something heavy. thanks.

 

[Tonala2k]

FlyMeSWA,

Don't get too discouraged about SIC. If your are the 'sole manipulator of the controls' you log it PIC. Now, that doesn't mean 'Final Authority (that you are THE PIC),' but I really don't think the insurance companies know the difference. H.R. usually does. That should help out tremendously with meeting insurance mins.

 

[hawkerjock]

Pilot in Command. The pilot responsible for the operation and safety of an aircraft during flight time (Refer to 14 CFR Part 91 and AIM pilot/controller glossary

This says to me the pilot the paperwork that day says is Pilot in Command not who is operating the controls. Don't want to start anything. I am just saying be careful how you are logging your flight time for future opportunities.

 

[smfav8r]

FlyMeSWA,

Don't get too discouraged about SIC. If your are the 'sole manipulator of the controls' you log it PIC. Now, that doesn't mean 'Final Authority (that you are THE PIC),' but I really don't think the insurance companies know the difference. H.R. usually does. That should help out tremendously with meeting insurance mins.

If the aircraft requires a type and you don't have one(SIC type doesn't count).....You cannot log it as PIC.

Some majors like USAir type the FO's if they want it, FO's with a type on a 737 do not log it as PIC when it's their leg.

You might get away with it on a King Air or similiar for a 91 operator, but that's about it.

 

[AA717driver]

WOULD SOMEONE F'IN KILL ME? The PIC/SIC time logging horse is DEAD!!!! Move the F on!

Anyway, what was the question? Oh yeah. Contract flying.

If the scumbag, C/S'ing IRS has their way, contract flying will be dead soon. I agree with Tonala. At your level, it's not a biggie--you're getting the real experience AND satisfying insurance mins. Or, you can do what I did and keep two sets of books. (Yeah, I know all the anal retentive types just blew a gasket... )

Good luck.TC

P.S.--Sorry about the language. In the first instance, it was warranted. In the second instance...well, it was warranted too.

 

[wolfpackpilot]

Or, you can do what I did and keep two sets of books.

Would those be "little black books" by any chance? Last time you told me, you had 13 of them! 4 for Savannah alone...


What gives?imp:

 

[AA717driver]

WPP--I keep the "good" numbers in my head!

In SAV, I just go to Tubby's on Thursday and skim the good ones off the top of the "pond". TC

 

[wolfpackpilot]

In SAV, I just go to Tubby's on Thursday and skim the good ones off the top of the "pond". TC

Uh, Mr. Dyslexic? I was there with you, we went to a Mexican joint, and you hooked up with a girl named “Tubby”. If I remember correctly, we had trouble getting her in the rental car.:laugh:

 

[AA717driver]

Uh, Mr. Dyslexic? I was there with you, we went to a Mexican joint, and you hooked up with a girl named “Tubby”. If I remember correctly, we had trouble getting her in the rental car.:laugh:

Welllll, my friend Jose Cuervo and I remember that night VERY differently. TC

 

[AAslag]

Welllll, my friend Jose Cuervo and I remember that night VERY differently. TC

Um, I know your wife and your home phone number.

You know I DO need a job. When did you say your company was hiring again?

 

[SoundBarViolatr]

TC....man o man, I thought your standards were higher than mine? Tubby????