Living lean and barely able to fly

[JDean3204]

Are you single? If so, livin' in a trailer is pretty cheap in Florida... It's not the flying that's the best in FL: its the combination of cheap living costs, cheap airplane costs, and decent enough weather.

I was living in a trailer in Troutdale for a while and did not mind the low rent I was paying that is for sure! I had an up and down year with my wife but we are actively working on things at the moment, so I would be bringing her and our furry little four legged child with us

 

[chrisreedrules]

That is what attracts me to Florida. I am sure you still run into wx with the late summer storms and what not but I am sure I will be able to fly more than my current location. My goal is to jump into CFI full time and make that my priority and be able to meet the students schedule needs. In Oregon you can flight instruct full time late spring to early fall, but if you want to be able to pay rent and other bills let alone feed yourself the winter time can be a stretch. BTW I enjoyed your post about your current gig, that is based out of Jacksonville correct? I used to go on detachments down in Mayport quite frequently and enjoyed my time spent in that area. Have you ever heard of a company by the name of Air America? It seems like a good outfit with options as a CFI and Aerial Survey. Not sure how many students you would get at that location since ERAU and other well known schools operate out of KDAB as well.

Yes my company is based out of CRG... Instructing anywhere from St Augustine (SGJ) to down south you can find some busy schools. The further south you go in FL the higher the col goes up and the lower the wages typically go so keep that in mind. Yes, I interviewed with AA based out of DAB a long while back but didn't get the job. They do aerial survey too but a completely different kind than us. Plus with them it isn't a full-time position, it is only seasonal. Our work is government mandated so our contracts go on and on. Hence the desirable schedule (2 to 3 weeks on, 1 to 3 weeks off... I will have had 6 weeks off when I go back to work in March) whereas AA is in the road for months straight.

 

[JordanD]

Yes my company is based out of CRG... Instructing anywhere from St Augustine (SGJ) to down south you can find some busy schools. The further south you go in FL the higher the col goes up and the lower the wages typically go so keep that in mind. Yes, I interviewed with AA based out of DAB a long while back but didn't get the job. They do aerial survey too but a completely different kind than us. Plus with them it isn't a full-time position, it is only seasonal. Our work is government mandated so our contracts go on and on. Hence the desirable schedule (2 to 3 weeks on, 1 to 3 weeks off... I will have had 6 weeks off when I go back to work in March) whereas AA is in the road for months straight.

There's other options at AA besides being on the road nonstop. Granted you aren't guaranteed to get that schedule, but they do exist.

 

[JDean3204]

There's other options at AA besides being on the road nonstop. Granted you aren't guaranteed to get that schedule, but they do exist.

Flight instruction correct? I heard that survey pilots can flight instruct there after the "survey season" is over

 

[A150K]

Dude,

You are more than ahead of the game. The weather this winter has been crazy bad. Just give it a few weeks and you'll be back on a regular schedule. On the days, you can't fly just go out and make some money so that you can fly!

Good luck. It sounds like you are well on your way and will be finished soon.

Joe

It's been great here (New Mexico)