Pipeline / Powerline patrol

[TWA]

Anyone know how to get into it? I've heard from some people that 1500+ hours are required and others that it's the most entry level position out there. What's the deal?

 

[NW_Pilot]

Anyone know how to get into it? I've heard from some people that 1500+ hours are required and others that it's the most entry level position out there. What's the deal?

Like most all good jobs in aviation! "know someone"

 

[avbug]

Good grief. Powerline flying or towing banners is NOT a job that requires you to have connections and letters of recommendation. The best thing you can do for yourself is show up at the door of the employer and talk to them in person. Most of the time the guy that gets hired is the one standing in front of the desk when the job comes open.

Pick up a copy of Trade A Plane. Between now and spring you'll see no end of people looking for someone to tow banners, and usually powerline patrol jobs come up too. A recent job was advertised for pilots in Cessnas to chase UAV's around in California...they're paying dirt poor wages and want low time pilots. Drop zones are always looking for pilots, especially on a summer-seasonal basis. Lots of places to go fly. Get on Climbto350.com, pick up Trade A Plane, or go to any number of other sources advertising for pilots.

 

[NW_Pilot]

Good grief. Powerline flying or towing banners is NOT a job that requires you to have connections and letters of recommendation. The best thing you can do for yourself is show up at the door of the employer and talk to them in person. Most of the time the guy that gets hired is the one standing in front of the desk when the job comes open.

Pick up a copy of Trade A Plane. Between now and spring you'll see no end of people looking for someone to tow banners, and usually powerline patrol jobs come up too. A recent job was advertised for pilots in Cessnas to chase UAV's around in California...they're paying dirt poor wages and want low time pilots. Drop zones are always looking for pilots, especially on a summer-seasonal basis. Lots of places to go fly. Get on Climbto350.com, pick up Trade A Plane, or go to any number of other sources advertising for pilots.

And how dose one know that the job is going to be open so they can be the one standing in front of the desk when the job comes open? Usually by knowing someone that knows about it!

 

[Princedietrich]

Or by looking in trade-a-plane. Or in the back of AOPA Pilot or Flying magazine.

If all else fails, when you see a banner tow fly overhead, jot down the tail number and look up who owns it on the FAA website. Then google the phone number and give em a call. Or you can go to the local airport FBO and ask the guy slinging the fuel hose what companies are on the field and what they do.

 

[avbug]

And how dose one know that the job is going to be open so they can be the one standing in front of the desk when the job comes open? Usually by knowing someone that knows about it!

You missed the point. Again.

Nobody is going to build an extensive network of contacts to help you get into the exciting world of banner towing. Nor is it necessary. Any more than one needs to know someone to apply at McDonalds. What will help you is to get up, go to the office of the company for whom you want to work, and physically put yourself in front of the hiring desk. Companies like to hire people they've met over a pile of meaningless resumes in the desk drawer.

Is getting hired flying banners or pipelines or powerlines all about who you know? No. That's laughable. It really is.

Spend the three bucks on Trade a Plane, pick up the phone, make a road trip, go to work.

 

[avbug]

I just glanced at Climbto350.com. Right off the bat I spotted an ad for traffic watch pilots in albany NY. Start immediately. Four hours of flying a day.

Trade a Plane...I'm looking at an ad for a 300 hour charter pilot flying twin commanders to the Bahamas.
Two ads for banner pilots. One for a factory test pilot at Aviat in Wyoming...two hundred fifty hours and a CFI is what they want, plus tailwheel experience.

On and on it goes.

Then again, airlines are hiring pilots with a few hundred hours right now...which ought to scare you enough to start taking the bus, but that's the way things are. Start filling out applications.

 

[navigator72]

Dropzone.com is a great source for skydiver jobs

there's currently 6 pilot jobs for jumper drivers on the first page. Including one in Fiji.

 

[Princedietrich]

Hmmm, now I think I could deal with a little South Pacific action.

 

[TWA]

Ok, so it's a safe guess that pipeline patrol is a very entry level position? I already knew that towin banners and droppin meat had very little requirments, but had heard that some patrol companies required over 1000 hours.

 

[avbug]

The most "entry level" position out there is airline pilot. With airlines hiring at such pathetic levels as 300 hours total time presently...it doesn't get much more entry level than that.

Powerline patrol could be anything from a part time gig flown by a single pilot 135 operator, to a regular helicopter inspection and repair operation. The pilot experience requirements will vary considerably.

If you're looking for your first job, then you don't have the experience to be using stupid language like "dropping meat." fom the perspective of one who has spent plenty of years flying jumpers and jumping, I can tell you it just makes you sound foolish.

 

[TWA]

Avbug, I am very sorry if I have offended you. However, from viewing the caliber some of the jumpers in my area, I strongly feel that the term "dropping meat" is appropriate. If you feel that flying right over a running medical helicopter preparing for departure is safe practice, then I stand corrected.

Thank you for your help, it is much appreciated.

 

[avbug]

Perhaps if you're hand-out begging for a job, insulting the community for who you might fly isn't such a smart idea.

Sometimes part of being a professional is knowing when to shut up.

 

[Princedietrich]

Don't worry TWA, like I've mentioned before, when avbug busts your chops it's just his way of saying that he cares and doesn't want you to die. :beer:

 

[TWA]

I see, tough love from avbug. I'm so touched :blush:

 

[670X]

To answer your question about Pipeline patrol...
You have to have 1,500 to be covered by insurance at one operator I know.

1-2 hundred feet all day with 60-90 degree banks is not really entry level flying.

 

[TWA]

Thanks 670, that's the kind of info I'm lookin for.

 

[avbug]

1-2 hundred feet all day with 60-90 degree banks is not really entry level flying.

If you're doing 60 degree to 90 degree banks while flying powerline patrol, you're making some serious mistakes. It's not exactly a hard charging or particuarly challenging line of work.

 

[NW_Pilot]

You have to have 1,500 to be covered by insurance at one operator I know.

Yea, Ins big issue every ware!

Ferry Industry Averages,
700TT For Single Piston
1000TT For Hi-Pro Or Retract
1,200TT For Most Hi Pro Plastic Planes Like Cirrus
1,500TT For Turbo Prop


Twins Piston 1200TT
Twins Turbo Prop 1500-2,500TT

Plus Time in Make And Model or Check Out some times factory training Columbia Now Known As Cessna 350-400.

Best way to solve insurance issue is become pre-approved by the very few insurance agencies . Don't cost a thing but your time.

1-2 hundred feet all day with 60-90 degree banks

Sounds like fun!!

 

[670X]

AVBUG read what I wrote, not what you think I wrote.....PIPELINE...... most turns are required due to some construction or other unexpected object/leak ect ect. I would go on but apparently you know it all already.
Cheers