Trying to find multi-engine aircraft owners

[Lear Wanna Be]

AirNet is all over the country. Sounds like 1 year flying props and then the right seat of a Lear 35.

Instructing is scary stuff. Even more scary when your name is in somebody's logbook, but you are not in the plane if they screw up. I know plenty of guys that have had the Feds come a calling long after the last time they flew with whomever screwed up. You are on the hook for 2 years if you sign somebody's BFR off. I'm going to have a nightmare tonight just thinking about it.

 

[flyf15]

I sent out a cold letter to all the corporate aircraft at my home base and got some contract work from it.

How'd you go about getting a list of aircraft based at your airport? The only thing I can think of is sitting out there and writing down N#s...

Also, what specific things did you say in your letter that led to this? I doubt my first thought of "I'm a starving CFI in need of quality flight time and I want you to let me fly your plane and pay me for it" would go over that well.

 

[RefugePilot]

AirNet is all over the country. Sounds like 1 year flying props and then the right seat of a Lear 35.

Instructing is scary stuff. Even more scary when your name is in somebody's logbook, but you are not in the plane if they screw up. I know plenty of guys that have had the Feds come a calling long after the last time they flew with whomever screwed up. You are on the hook for 2 years if you sign somebody's BFR off. I'm going to have a nightmare tonight just thinking about it.

Tell me about it, I have been instructing for 3 years. My hope is if anybody I have flown with does something stupid, the log book with my signature burns up with them.

 

[BushwickBill]

How'd you go about getting a list of aircraft based at your airport? The only thing I can think of is sitting out there and writing down N#s...

Also, what specific things did you say in your letter that led to this? I doubt my first thought of "I'm a starving CFI in need of quality flight time and I want you to let me fly your plane and pay me for it" would go over that well.

Well most likely the guy had a type rating. Once you have a type rating and enough PIC to qualify for insurance coverage you can expect to make more money. Its not a matter of how you write the letter. Hell I've got a B.A. in English/ History and I cant write a letter to get around the insurance company. I'm still working on all this myself - good luck

 

[jergar999]

How'd you go about getting a list of aircraft based at your airport? The only thing I can think of is sitting out there and writing down N#s...

Also, what specific things did you say in your letter that led to this? I doubt my first thought of "I'm a starving CFI in need of quality flight time and I want you to let me fly your plane and pay me for it" would go over that well.

I did an FAA database search for all the aircraft based in the city that I lived in, and found any that were not listed as single owner. Then I sent my resume and a letter that basically said my name, where I worked, and that I have X amount of days off per month that I would enjoy spending in their aircraft if they didn't have a pilot, a pilot was sick or on vacation, or if they just wanted someone to do some filling in. I got two calls in one week, one for a Bonanza doing some day trips and the other for a Commander 690, they even sent me to sim training and I work for them a few days a month. There is a Lear 35 based on my home field and the CP called to let me know that they had my letter and although they don't need anyone now he will keep my resume and I should update it from time to time.

 

[jergar999]

I found the thread where I posted a copy of the letter:

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=24369

 

[Lead Sled]

A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, I did something similar. I wrote the letter and mailed it out. I only got one response, but it resulted in a great relationship - I flew part-time for the company for 5 years. After I left to move on to greener pastures, I got phone calls and inquiries from them for nearly 3 years making sure that I was happy at my new job and offering me a position full-time if I ever wanted to move back. Don't expect the whole world to come knocking at your door; but remember, all it takes is one.

'Sled

 

[float-flyer]

RefugePilot

Check your PM

 

[Medicryan]

Forgive me if I am wrong, but wouldn't that be illegal since you cannot advertise yourself as a commercial pilot.

 

[float-flyer]

Forgive me if I am wrong, but wouldn't that be illegal since you cannot advertise yourself as a commercial pilot.

Where does it say "you can't advertise yourself" as a commercial pilot?

 

[jergar999]

You can't hold out, which is a whole other topic altogether, but you can certainly offer your services for compensation. If I used the company airplane and charged random people for seats that I had advertised at a certain price then that would be holding out, which would require a Operating Certificate and Operating Specifications under 14 CFR Part 121,125, or 135.

 

[icefr8dawg]

Being an owner I get lots of requests from folks to fly with me, rent the plane (an aztec and a j-3) share time, instruct, etc. The biggest problem I have with others flying the twin is that it just costs an enormous amount of money to maintain and things tend to break when it's flown a lot. I use it a couple of times a month for the usual little trips and even then I get the occasional busted starter, cracked exhaust or avionics screwup. It just costs so much money to fix things that the couple hundred bucks from renting the plane isn't worth the expense of repairing the common breakage items. This is what you'll be running up against.
I think you'll have more luck with folks that are having trouble affording their twin but want to take the pilot type trips to Oshkosh or Sun 'n fun, split expenses and be happy about it. Weekend lunch trips etc. I believe EAA has a share a ride section on their website.

 

[AWACO]

This could be huge for those of you needing multi time

 

[pgcfii2002]

Try Ameriflight out of BUR and OAK.....

 

[Lead Sled]

This could be huge for those of you needing multi time

Probably not. You've got to have something to offer. If you simply hope to find someone who will let you ride a long and log the time you'll probably be dissappointed. Like I said earlier, don't expect the whole world to come knocking at your door...but, if you've got some experience and can find the right set of circumstances it could work for you.

'Sled