UAS Operators

HVYMETALDRVR

HVYMETALDRVR

Well-Known Member
Tagging along with the thread I also just posted in this forum. I am also looking at the UAS/UAV environment I've done a bit of research but I can't come up with too much.

It looks like most openings require previous experience except for Northrup Grumman? According their careers section they take pilots without experience. In fact according to their website if you have more than 1000TT you qualify as an experienced operator. The careers section is big and a little varied, I'd post the link to the posting I found the other day but I can't find it now.

I know a lot of pilots loathe this work, but the way I see it... government contracts with salary pay, not worrying about fuel prices, home every night, nice air conditioned environment, etc. I can imagine the National Guard and Air Force operators with prior experience get priority but this facet of aviation is pretty new so I'm hoping there is some demand? The only major operators I've found so far (besides the CIA of course), is Customs and Border Protection, Northrup Grumman, Presagis, and a small company in Maryland (whos name escapes me).

Any further info or insight on the hiring status of these companies or which would be considered entry-level etc. is greatly appreciated. Thanks!:beer:
 
It's not quite that easy, most all of the jobs are going to be deployed OCONUS flying the platform first. After you pay your dues with 12 months or so deployed to forward locations, then you can come back and slide into one of the stateside jobs. Prior military, being previously deployed, or having a security clearance is also a HUGE plus for getting on with these companies. You can try shooting a Application to ISR Group, the company for which I work with but currently all of our flying contracts are in OCONUS spots.
 
GA-ASI is a manufacturer of UAVs and has flight operations out of Southern California. They have postings for "entry-level" UAV pilot positions. Once trained you will be deployed as discussed in the previous post.
 
Thanks for the advice. I don't mind the deployment, the only issue which helps and hurts me in this situation is that I'm in the Reserves. It helps because I have a Security Clearance, but it will definitely affect my status if I bounce out of the country for a year but we'll see. I will also send my application to ISR Group as well thank you.

I guess I'm just exploring this route because UAVs definitely aren't going away, the pay is decent, and since there still relatively new theres no 30yr captains running around with 15 times my experience like in the airlines!
 
HVYMETALDRVR said:
I know a lot of pilots loathe this work, but the way I see it... government contracts with salary pay, not worrying about fuel prices, home every night, nice air conditioned environment, etc.
Click to expand...

+1

I have a friend who does this as a civilian and he loves it. He's also a CFI so he gets to fly evenings and weekends when he wants. His QOL is through the roof compared to most in the airlines...that and the fact that these jobs aren't going away (anytime soon atleast) makes this a good career IF you can find a way into it. If I could get into it I would...
 
HVYMETALDRVR said:
Thanks for the advice. I don't mind the deployment, the only issue which helps and hurts me in this situation is that I'm in the Reserves. It helps because I have a Security Clearance, but it will definitely affect my status if I bounce out of the country for a year but we'll see. I will also send my application to ISR Group as well thank you.

I guess I'm just exploring this route because UAVs definitely aren't going away, the pay is decent, and since there still relatively new theres no 30yr captains running around with 15 times my experience like in the airlines!
Click to expand...

I interviewed with ISR Group earlier this year. Had to postpone training due to some family stuff, but I am hoping to jump back in for their next class. I believe their next operator class is in the spring.
 
Just talked to them today they said I should send my stuff in late November/early December for a class early next year! Good Luck!

EDIT: I didn't want to ask over the phone but whats the pay like for operators? CONUS OCONUS?
 
SoCalPilotGuy said:
GA-ASI is a manufacturer of UAVs and has flight operations out of Southern California. They have postings for "entry-level" UAV pilot positions. Once trained you will be deployed as discussed in the previous post.
Click to expand...

How often are they hiring? I just recently saw their posting, was hoping to talk to them at a career fair today, but they didn't show up. I just wanted to get some basic information on them, but that didn't happen.
 
Pay entry level usually ends up around 65-70K+ starting. It goes up quick from there. The few civilian companies compete for talent. If you have experience, expect 80K+ (some 130K+ if you're instructor qualified, starting).
 
I applied for one of these jobs with Evergreen in McMinnville Or. I got ignored. The corporate recruiter there was telling me they paid really well, especially when you get deployed. They do work with Insitu UAS. They are really small UAVs that get launched from a catapult. So its nothing big like a predator. Its also really not much of a UAV flying job as it is maintenance and set up of the things. I kind of forgot about this idea after I never heard back from them again, but check it out!
 
robofos said:
I applied for one of these jobs with Evergreen in McMinnville Or. I got ignored. The corporate recruiter there was telling me they paid really well, especially when you get deployed. They do work with Insitu UAS. They are really small UAVs that get launched from a catapult. So its nothing big like a predator. Its also really not much of a UAV flying job as it is maintenance and set up of the things. I kind of forgot about this idea after I never heard back from them again, but check it out!
Click to expand...

thx
 
Anyone with Raytheon or AAI that might be able to lend a hand? I have the experience on a civilian side, but not military. I've been trying for a long time to get in and just can't quite capture it. Anyone willing to look at my resume or walk one in? GA is another opportunity that I've been told just keep applying till I'm blue in the face and will eventually get there.

Thank you in advance.
 
ProudPilot,
Shoot your resume over to me, I'll be more than happy to take a look. I just left the UAV world. AAI just won a few large contracts with their Aerosonde product. They should be the ones looking for folks if they havn't already started.
 
LibTech7 said:
ProudPilot,
Shoot your resume over to me, I'll be more than happy to take a look. I just left the UAV world. AAI just won a few large contracts with their Aerosonde product. They should be the ones looking for folks if they havn't already started.
Click to expand...
Thank You, PM sent.
 
Hey Proud, let me know if you're still looking. I've been with AAI for over a year, and we just won an Aerosonde contract. I'm also happy to answer questions here about the UAV community. It's a change... for sure. Ask in thread, though, please.... PM floods are a turnoff after a while.
 
Well I'd love to come to AAI, but I do not currently have a clearance. I'm looking for people to look over my Resume and Cover letter to see if you'd give me a call back. I've been trying for 3 years, and only got called to one interview where it was basically them demeaning UND guys (brought 4 down, sent UND home after insults, then hired the ERAU guy without much problem), so I'm wondering if it's me, my resume, cover letter, etc. I did talk to an HR guy at AAI 3 years ago, but haven't been getting any bites since then.

I would love to break into this field, and so far seems like GA-ASI is the way to go. If you want to PM me I can give you my email so I can send you my Resume, Cover Letter, Exp. My wife is also looking to move for school this summer to start her PhD so I'm really making a push right now to find a place I can stay for a decade and move there vs moving from place to place.

Oh, and Everyone has been incredibly helpful so far. I have no idea what to do besides buy everyone helping a 24 pack of their favorite! MQ-1 Driver LibTech7
 
You don't need a clearance to walk in the door at AAI, they'll start the paperwork for you... (it's a LOT of paperwork). With the new Aerosonde contract, I know they need people. When was the last time you looked?
 
Looking at it right now, I applied to 4 spots on 3/5/12 including Aerosonde Instructor UAV. Applying to a few more, but I do have a few questions on AAI.

What is the rotation like?
Do they take care of their employees at FOB?
What is the pay/salary like?
Benefits, are they comparable to other UAS operators, or behind?
How is the QOL? Do they take care of their employees?

Applied to:
Aerosonde Instructor UAV
ISR Services Crewmember UAV
Shadow UAS Flight Crew - Training Specialist
Flight Crew
Aerosonde Crewmember UAV

Any other spots you would recommend?
 
What is AAI?
I've heard of General Atomics and am interested in this whole thing...
how "real" is the flying? I mean, from your command center or whatever it's called, is it really like flying an actual airplane, minus the view out the window?
 
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