Pilot a few months a year? (contract)

[Rick1128]

Leardriver has a couple of good points. There is more to being current that just flying one month out of three and meeting the currency requirements. When you operate aircraft where you can get the $1000 to 2000/day, you generally are operating internationally and it is always changing.

And most operators want someone who is available when they need them, not when the ICP feels like it.

I know and have worked with several ICP, and they are always on the go. You make every dollar you can today, because there may not be any trips next month. It is a hard business to be in. It sounds great, but it is not for everyone.

 

[OPECJet]

I'm the guy around the local airport here that is almost always available to fly folks in their aircraft, or sit right seat in the local jets.

The only way I was able to get in the cockpit of any jet was to already have jet time. I was lucky in that the company I was working for paid for my 135 letter in a Lear, and I went on the road flying one for almost a month to build jet time.

The problem I have with flying jets is my lack of total time and the insurance companies. If you approach your idea with more than 1500 total, you might do OK if there are several opportunities to fly, and that is for copilot only. It will take much more to fly captain.

I don't see how you could make enough money to make ends meet flying only a few months a year without another full time job. With the rates I get, I have to fly at least 5 days a week, and that's not been easy to do. Then there's the currency and proficiency issue. Taking a few months off will have you behind the airplane for the first few flights after you get back.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

 

[prpjt]

What do you mean by current? What if I fly a month, take two months off - is there anything more often than 90 day currency that has to be met?

If your going to fly that GV VFR I suppose your good to go.

I wasn't speaking of regulatory currency. A better phrase would have been "proficient in type".