Wages for flying skydivers

[skippy22]

I was curious if anyone out there had recent input on how much a skydiver pilot gets paid. Is it per load, per day, per person and how much. I have a job offer that gives $6 a load is this realistic or not. Thanks for your input.

 

[Jump Pilot]

Where I work, my contract calls for $5.00 per load (C182). A skydiver usually brings a complimentary burger and a Coke which I eat in the plane. Duty time is usually 12 hours per day in the summer.

On a good weekend, 20 - 25 loads total (12-15 hours). More fun that a person should be allowed to have flying. Where else can your "uniform" consist of a tie-dyed company shirt, baggy shorts, and sandals? PM me if you want more info.

Now, if I can just convince a regional that this is "valuable" time...

 

[avbug]

Six bucks is good. Most DZ's pay their pilots in jumps.

Then again, many jump pilots would prefer to be skydiving.

 

[Lifestyle]

$6/ load is great, I used to get $4/ load back in 97 and I flew my ass off. It' was all about building time I get. But wearing Birks and cutoff shorts was a hell of a great perk. Have a blast c-bass.

 

[skydiverdriver]

Avbug,
Most jump pilots would prefer to be skydiving? I hope you are kidding. I would rather go down with the ship! I tried it a few times, as it was almost too cheap not to try, but I would much rather stay strapped in my seat, thank you. On the pay issue, you are lucky to get paid at all!! Take what they give you and be happy about it. Anyway, what choice do you have? Every once in awhile some jerk will come along and offer to fly them for free. Get you time and get out. Good luck to you.

 

[Brownshoe]

When I flew the 170 at Snohomish back in the mid 80's the pilot got 25% of the take for the load. 12$ for each load of 4 to 10,000. 10-12 loads on a good weekend day and the pilot always drank for free when the day was over. Good times.......

 

[V1Cutt]

I got $10/load back in '95 flying the Twin Otter. Fringe benefits included girls flashing in the cockpit and beers afterward if the drops were on target (incentive pay).
Fun job, non-stop flying sunrise to sunset.

 

[AWACoff]

I get $5 a load no matter how high the load or how many passes per load. Nobody makes money flying a 182. I'll second avbug. I'd rather be jumping than flying the 182. I've got to pay for the jumps somehow. As for going down with the ship...I'll leave that to salty sea captains...I'm OUTTA there!!! Hey, it's a paid jump! Schweeet.

Green Bay Approach, 1 minute to drop.

 

[Jump Pilot]

Time to ask for a raise!

Now, if I could just find a copy of my contract....

Jump plane, you have a FedEx heavy crossing over the DZ at 3,000. What ya going to do with them jumpers?

 

[selkirk]

There is a company based in Ocean City, MD that is advertising for a jump pilot on www.aopa.org. They're paying $10/load for a C-182 (estimated 20-25 loads/week).

 

[azpilot]

Anyone know the pilot requirements (time) for the jump school in Eloy, AZ?

Thanks,
AZPilot

 

[avbug]

SDD,

I am most certainly not kidding. Most jump pilots I've known are active skydivers, myself included. (the disclaimer being I haven't flown jumpers for a while now, though I still jump).

I remember when I was a teenager, I was out at the DZ one weekend, talking with the DZ owner (DZO) who happened to own the jump aircraft and the airport. He invited me to go fly his BE-18 with him. I had lots of conventional gear time, but no conventional multi time. I jumped at the chance.

Without thinking, I ran into the loft and came running out with a rig over my shoulder. I clambered aboard. He looked at me, and at the rig, and asked what the hell I thought I was doing. I told him I was jumping. No, he said, you're landing the airplane. I'm going to give you some dual instruction in the twin beech.

Now nobody on God's green earth has ever been more desperate to fly an airplane than me. I have thought of, and dreamed of, and done nothing else for many years, including through childhood. A complete obcession. However, that day, I was crestfallen. Here was a perfectly good jump airplane, and I was going to land it. What a drag.

 

[FracPilot]

Anyone know the pilot requirements (time) for the jump school in Eloy, AZ?

I have spent two weeks out there every winter for the past 6 years, and IIRC the pilots are pretty experienced. With a fleet of several Twin Otters, a Skyvan, and a Porter(maybe a couple others I don't remember), they stay quite busy. Most jumpers(especially jumpers that are pilots) will not stand for low timers flying most of the jump planes, and we definitely prefer jumpers that are pilots flying. Flying jumpers is more involved than just taking off, flying over the airport, and landing.

I would guess they want at least 1000 turbine or so.

 

[FracPilot]

Most jump pilots would prefer to be skydiving? I hope you are kidding. I would rather go down with the ship! I tried it a few times, as it was almost too cheap not to try, but I would much rather stay strapped in my seat, thank you.

I would much rather be jumping than flying. I flew jumpers part time when a couple local DZ's needed another pilot, but not often. If there is any doubt in my mind as to whether or not I would be able to bring a jump plane down safely, I'm gone. Maybe I can swoop the wreckage. I was a skydiver long before my early-life crisis that made me become a pilot, so I guess I am biased. Besides, my little VX is much more fun to fly than any airplane I've ever been in.

 

[Kaman]

Skydiving $$$

Hi Guys,
When I flew for San Diego Air Sports it was $40.00 per day, and that day began at dawn and ended at dusk. Not a lot of bucks, but it was fun operating off a dirt strip tucked into Otay Mountain and a lake off the other end of the runway. Made for some "exciting take-offs" when it was 90+ outside.
Where I fly now the deal is $35.00 a day to show up, and $5.00 a lift AFTER 5 lifts. Typically, on the weekends you can get up 12-15 lifts. We take em' to 10K, and the owner/operator insists on no more than a .6 per lift. It can be done, but makes for a long day.
Also, I'd like to add that flying jumpers is not the difficult, as much as it's different from other types of flying and after a few hours it is very simple. In fact, I think it's far trickier in a 206 or a 182 than turbine powered jump ship. The real skill is descending and not shock-cooling the engine. Just curious, what do you guys use for MP/RPM settings? I use the bottom of the green arcs for both or roughly 18"/1800 RPMS...Seems to keep the CHT/EGT from going from one end of the gauge to other.

Regards,

ex-Navy Rotorhead

 

[Jump Pilot]

The first DZ where I worked wanted 15" and 1800 rpm. Where I am now, they want 17" and 2200 rpm. I'll spiral down if I'm loading hot and we have a lot of work stacked up. However, I think that gets old for both the airplane and the pilot. Otherwise, I'll use a rectangular pattern in descent and hit a 45 for the downwind at pattern altitude.

I have never jumped. Don't have a real desire to either. I enjoy watching them get out and flying the aeroplane. I had one DZO tell me he preferred pilots who didn't jump. If they learned to skydive, that would end up being all they wanted to do and wouldn't fly anymore.

What's the craziest thing you had a skydiver jump with? Plastic rafts, bicycles, innertubes?

Any naked jumps? I had one dude jump naked. That was gross. The whole plane smelled like arse when I opened the door on jump run.

 

[GoingHot]

After reading some of the pay rates on this thread, I guess I shouldn't feel so much like a Jump Plane Slut anymore. I'm not as bad off as I thought. My deal is $50 a day and $10 per load after five loads. Best day was 14 loads.

By the way, anyone fly the Turbine Tail-Dragger Jump Ship, (PC-6 Porter)? I'm getting use to it, but that thing can scare you on a good day. And when you have a variable crosswind @ 15 gusting to 22-----thats when the Horror Show begins. But its a neat bird. You feel like you're in a P-51 mustang with that long snout and huge prop out front with a stick control.

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

I know of a WI place that pays $15/hour. With a "normal" low load you can do 3? per hour, and high loads about 2/hour??? If these times are about right, $15/hour would equal $5-$7.50 per load.

I'm just starting and AWAC posting above is helping me out!

Note: I just talked to a recruiter/hr guy at Comair. He said flying Skydivers is about the worst possible type of flying for them, along with banner towing. It doesn't really count for anything, as far as they are concerned. Next worst is instructing, which doesn't count for much, either. He said they are really looking for part 135 or 121 time.

Air WI also hires mostly 121 or 135 guys. I can't remember if they routinely hire instructors or not (AWAC will know). Jumping is the only flying I can do right now, so I'll take what I can get!

 

[aceshigh]

I got screwed!!

The DZ I used to work for only paid $10 for showing up and $2/load. But the beer and the fun times made it worth. I got to fly a C205, but due to a lack of a tailwheel signoff never got to touch the PC-6 (porter) with a piston engine that the DZ owned. Oh well, I had a ton of fun doing it and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Aceshigh

 

[puddlejumper]

Jump Pilot Pay

In the Mid-Atlantic region, typical starting pay for King Air pilots is $60 to show up and $10/load after the first 5 or 6 loads. It's all about supply and demand, it seems that there is a real shortage of qualified jump pilots available around here, so if a guy wants to, he can make some decent money.

Usually a weekend day would involve anywhere from 12 to 26 loads to 13,500'. In a -20 A or B90, flight time is 0.3, sometimes 0.4 hr. I'm trying to negotiate more pay for having to fly with a co-pilot who is paying to build time. It's not a bad gig though, it helps a lot with my CRM skills. Please, let's try not to turn this into a PFT flaming thread, we can take that somewhere else.

Here's a few message boards that deal with skydiving:

http://www.diverdriver.com/forum/forum.php

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forums/wwwthreads.pl?Cat=

http://www.skydivechicago.com/forum/index.php

-PJ

 

[avbug]

I don't know about paying for training, but many DZ's charge for an observer to ride in the right seat, regardless of any "time building" that might be going on. If a skydiver wants to sit in the right seat just to see what it's like, he or she pays for a jump ticket and then sits in the seat. If someone who isn't sure about jumping wants to go watch skydivers go out the door, he or she buys a jump ticket just like everybody else, and then rides up and down in the right seat.

This differs somewhat from the traditional "PFT" efforts; the person in the right seat becomes nothing more than a paying passenger.

That said, a pilot who shows up on my door step who has had to pay to get time flying skydivers will retreat in shame; I won't be able to listen to him because I'll be on the floor laughing too hard.

You did what???????????????????????????? Good one. Did you hear the one about the two nuns and a donkey...

 

[FracPilot]

That said, a pilot who shows up on my door step who has had to pay to get time flying skydivers will retreat in shame; I won't be able to listen to him because I'll be on the floor laughing too hard.

IMO, if you are paying to get into a jump plane, you by God better be jumping! When I fly the jump plane, observers are not allowed. If there is anybody in the right seat, they are a pilot in training or a licensed jumper. No students. No observers. I do not want the responsibility of having to worry about an observer if the brown stuff hits the blowing device. Everybody in my airplane wears a rig except tandem students of course. They are the instructors responsibility.

A very experienced jumper recently died when he struck the tail after exiting a King Air. He never got a canopy out, but it is suspected he died when his head hit the tail. He was in the first group out. Imagine what would have happened if he had taken the tail off the airplane.

Anybody that is a jump pilot, or considering being one, wear a rig. Always. If the DZ tells you their pilots don't wear rigs, go elsewhere. Get instruction on how to use it. Have an FAA certified parachute rigger show you how to determine whether the system is in date or not, and how to do a "pre flight" on the rig. I NEVER get in a jump plane without a rig on, regardless of type or what I'm doing. I wear my sport rig while flying because it's more comfortable, but I recommend that pilots that are not jumpers wear only pilot emergency rigs(one canopy, one handle). No complicated procedures. Clear and pull.

 

[navigator72]

I am one lucky man

I get $7.00 per load from the time I show up till the time I go home. On a good weekend you can usually fly 20-30 loads. The plane is in great shape and the DZ is very safe.
I always wear a parachute and one of these days I am going to leave the plane and use it.
This DZ in the northeast is looking for a pilot. I can no longer fly for them except on a very limited basis due to another job. send me a message if you are in the Northern New England area and I will give you more details.

Hopefully the one and only time in my life I will see a naked man in a Cessna 182.

 

[avbug]

I can't believe anybody who flies skydivers would be shocked by nude loads. Or wouldn't have flown plenty of nude loads. It is skydiving, after all.

 

[Av8trxx]

DZ dayz

I got $10/hr & $5/load at the two places I worked. About average. I only had one naked jump though, and all I got to see was 3 hairy butt cracks! Bleeech. Plus I can't imagine how buck naked jumpers could smell worse than flatulent ones on that loooong climb to altitude on a hot summer day.....Now that smells like nasty arse!!!!

 

[AWACoff]

Comair may look down upon diver driving but apparently AWAC does not. We have an RJ captain that was hired from Skydive Chicago a few years ago. Apparently twin engine turbine time flying jumpers isn't useless after all. You may not be building x-country time, instrument time (not loggable at least), or dual given time...but you are building judgement at an accelerated pace. I will put my vote in for instructing though. Typically the pilots with an instructing background are better versed in regulations and general book knowledge. Flying jumpers is not for everybody. It helps to be very outgoing and not be perturbed by extreme amounts of flatulence. I'm not a victim though...I tend to pack my own "ammunition"...best of all, I control the opening of any doors or windows

 

[SDF2BUF2MCO]

Deland, FL

For what it is worth, I was out at Deland, FL today. DED boast something to the effect it is the parachuting training capital of the world. It was non stop jumping.
The outfit utilized a twin turbo Otter and a twin turbo box (Shorts?). Those people flying were hustling!
My buddy inquired about what qualifications and hours it takes to fly for this place. Someone in the office stated their folks average 10,000 hours. I didn't believe him but I've seen stranger things.

 

[Saabslime]

I flew for a small outfit called "Skydive the Farm" out in Nunn Colorado just east of Greeley a few years ago. I usually let them pay me in beer. Skydivers are a blast to hang out with and I too flew my share of nude sunset loads. Man those were the days...........wish I could go back sometimes

 

[avbug]

I jumped at DeLand a year ago. When they say skydive capitol, they're not kidding. Most of the major developments in parachute technology have come out of there, or that area over the years. Many new ones are still coming out of there with Jump Shack, Performance Designs, and The (uninsured) Relative Workshop. Some big names who have contributed a lot to the industry are there. What a great place.

If they say they're using 10,000' hour pilots, believe it. Most of the big DZ's don't use time builders. They fly a lot, do a lot of team rotations, and their people stay on.

I just got back from the DZ. We have but one Caravan. The driver is a lifer, and fits the position perfectly. No time builders out there, either.

Most every paycheck I had flying jumpers and packing parachutes, and doing aircraft maintenance for DZ's, was in jumps. If they'd paid money, I'd just have to pay tax, and then the rest would go back into jumps. Seems a perfectly good waste of jump money to spend it on tax, doesn't it?