aerial survey question

Pilot86

Pilot86

Well-Known Member
Ive been interested in aerial surveying for awhile but Im still a private pilot with an instrument written and working on starting my intstrument training shortly with 221 hours so far and a tailwheel endorsement.
I was wanting to work as an aerial sensor to get my foot in the door while still completing my flight training. Would that be possible so when a pilot position opens up with the company and when I have my commercial and enough hours I could apply for a pilot's position? ...Or..would the schedule of aerial surveying not allow me to get the time I need to study and fly?

Thanks!
 
Pilot86 said:
Ive been interested in aerial surveying for awhile but Im still a private pilot with an instrument written and working on starting my intstrument training shortly with 221 hours so far and a tailwheel endorsement.
I was wanting to work as an aerial sensor to get my foot in the door while still completing my flight training. Would that be possible so when a pilot position opens up with the company and when I have my commercial and enough hours I could apply for a pilot's position? ...Or..would the schedule of aerial surveying not allow me to get the time I need to study and fly?

Thanks!
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Well a lot of aerial survey is minimum 500 TT. So I would work on getting that time. Also the schedule is usually different at each company...
 
I have a few friends that work at a company that does two weeks on one week off. It would be possible but may be difficult to do. The company I work for the pilots are the sensor operators and you are out working for months at a time. It really depends on the company flying schedule, where you live, and if your willing to wait weeks between flying. I agree with purpel, focus on getting your training in first and you may even get in with some companies under 500TT. I got in with one just under 300TT even though they advertised 500.
 
Pilot86 said:
Ive been interested in aerial surveying for awhile but Im still a private pilot with an instrument written and working on starting my intstrument training shortly with 221 hours so far and a tailwheel endorsement.
I was wanting to work as an aerial sensor to get my foot in the door while still completing my flight training. Would that be possible so when a pilot position opens up with the company and when I have my commercial and enough hours I could apply for a pilot's position? ...Or..would the schedule of aerial surveying not allow me to get the time I need to study and fly?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
The company I fly for has quite a few pilots who were operators first before moving to the drivers seat. A few of my operators are interested in getting their license or already have it. If we are on a long ferry to the job site I have no issue being CFII mei to have those with a license get a little left seat time in a 310 or pa31. It can be done to build time and learn a little more however, I'd stick with flight school get your comm me and then either work from the back to the front or see if you can get straight to the drivers seat without looking down the scope first.

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Yeah being on the road for a few months at a time while trying to stay proficient in your flight training? Very difficult to do! Definitely focus on completing your flight training first if flying for a living is what you want to do.

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purpel said:
Also the schedule is usually different at each company...
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Again, the schedules vary. My company, there is no schedule. You're in the office/flying during the week and if necessary, flying on the weekends as well. You can't plan for Saturday on Friday because the weather might clear up. You go when the weather is good. Another company I worked for was 8 days on/ 6 off. Pretty easy to plan around that.
 
Pilot86 said:
Ive been interested in aerial surveying for awhile but Im still a private pilot with an instrument written and working on starting my intstrument training shortly with 221 hours so far and a tailwheel endorsement.
I was wanting to work as an aerial sensor to get my foot in the door while still completing my flight training. Would that be possible so when a pilot position opens up with the company and when I have my commercial and enough hours I could apply for a pilot's position? ...Or..would the schedule of aerial surveying not allow me to get the time I need to study and fly?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

And, when you ready for that job, you might want to contact a company like this:

SkyIMD

They are in my backyard and I've watched them from the time they were a seed start-up in Norhern Silicon Valley. Pretty interesting aerial imaging technology and I think they have true SV technology roots. Not sure what hiring is like these days or what type of positions might be available.

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It really depends on what kind of survey you're doing. We do everything from birds, wild life, marine mammals, targets area sweeps for the Navy, rocket launch azimuth, to photo & LiDAR. All these are drastically different missions. You could be flying anywhere from 200AGL to 12, 000ft.

Although the money can typically be better than most jobs, be prepared to be gone from home weeks to months at a time. You'll spend a lot of time sitting in a hotel room because there's one cloud in your study area. Or you coud be under a 500ft OVC layer 100 miles offshore. A lot of operations are single pilot. That means it's your job to manage the airplane while on the road. Usually I never know when I'm leaving or coming home. But that depends on who you work for. Overall I like it. We get to see some different parts of the country, and sometimes we get to hang out for a while in one location. Which could go either way.... good or bad.

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Again it all varies on what kind of survey flying you want to do, but focus on your flight training. I flew for Picto a few years ago and it's a rough schedule. In fact there is no schedule, you're just gone for half the year.
 
Ok, is there anything I can do until than or not really untill i finish my commercial license...When I posted, I was thinking of companies such as keystone but RVSM posted of one that highly has my interest as well as TwoTwoLeft... thats what I would really like to pursue.. being single being gone all the time it wouldnt matter too much. Im by far willing to do that at 26 years old. Also can I just have my multi or do I need a multi commercial to fly the twins? Its the flying, I want it as my profession for life.
 
Gotta have a CMEL to get paid to fly a twin. 99.99999999% chance you'll need an instrument rating too. Most survey companies who operate twins require at least around 1000/500. I know of a few who operate Caravans but they are only impressed if you have 5 moon landings and PIC time in the Concorde.

Aperture & Air America operate singel engine Cessnas. AA's hiring mins are lower that Aperture's from what I remember. There is pipeline patrol as well. Aerial survey isn't all about mapping, but usually the wildlife jobs have higher mins.
 
Remember that Air America also operates quite a few Aztecs, so the multi opportunity is certainly there if that's your cup of tea.
 
Might I suggest finding an office job at a survey company while you work on your IR and comm se/me? The company I work for, the sky is the limit and they encourage all their employees to get as much education hands on as possible (in the company's best interest of course). I'm not the kind to be at a desk learning GIS and staring at a computer screen all day, but if it works for you then it may be to your advantage. That way once you get your licenses you're not only a survey pilot but a more well rounded and valuable employee. Could open doors to a more lucrative career other than just flying, flying is lucrative??

Sent from my Android mobile device.
 
I interviewed with Air America this past September with 380/110. So they definitely take people with less than 500tt. They had some 300 apps for only 7 positions. With this ATP rule about to kick in people are scrambling for the very few low-time time building jobs left. Either get lucky with something like that or she'll out even more money for a CFI/II.

I would have preferred not to teach because I'd only do it for the flight time, but in realizing now that it's probably the only way to an airline at this point.

Keep chugging along man! Pictography usually hires end of summer so you'll be in a great stop next season.
 
USN88 said:
I interviewed with Air America this past September with 380/110. So they definitely take people with less than 500tt. They had some 300 apps for only 7 positions.
Keep chugging along man! Pictography usually hires end of summer so you'll be in a great stop next season.
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What ^^ he said. season goes from oct-may so make sure they have your info by august at the latest.
 
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