Ferry pilots

BravoHotel

BravoHotel

Well-Known Member
I'm looking for more info on how to do this. I have only completed one ferry flight where a dropzone operator need a C-206 flown from A to B. I made $400 in two days (which I later learned is kind of low) , and learned some things in the process.
 
I've found it's all about networking and who you know. Minimum for single engine piston (C172 / Warrior / etc) is around 250-350 plus expenses. I'd charge 400 minimum a day for a piston twin. It's a tough gig until you've built a reputation, since you have a lot of guys willing to undercut you or do it for fuel just to build time. I have done a few free ferries, but learned my lesson early on that it was only hurting me down the road. What ratings you hold / TT / & time in type are big helpers too. There's the guy who puts up ferries on his website, http://www.global-air.com/global/gferrytrips.htm , but they go pretty damn quick. I did get a Cirrus ferry from him, but only because timing was perfect and the plan was already 20 minutes away from me, so they only had a 1 way airline ticket to buy instead of r/t.
 
Yea, there was a guy on PPW that started from scratch and built up a pretty good rep. Did it a couple of years, and more than a few crossings if I recall. Some of his stories were interesting...bad airplanes, bad weather, bad locations, bad owners, bad scenes, etc.

Eventually he quit the biz because of the undercutters. It just doesn't seem to matter to someone that the guy flying your new pride'n'joy might just dump it somewhere and split. You just paid 200k for a bird and you're going to shortchange someone $1k because now you're being cheap.

Richman
 
The only way to make it as a ferry pilot is to have experience in either the aircraft type or international experience. There are too many wet commercial & and airline privileges types out there undercutting.

For example a friend/ former coworker had a solid business for twenty years, specializing in crossings. He has made hundreds of Atlantic and Pacific trips in everything from 172s to Citations. Great stories and experience.


Sent from my StarTac using Etch A Sketch.
 
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CFI A&P said:
The only way to make it as a ferry pilot is to have experience in either the aircraft type or international experience. There are too many wet commercial & and airline privileges types out there undercutting.

For example a friend/ former coworker had a solid business for twenty years, specializing in crossings. He has made hundreds of Atlantic and Pacific trips in everything from 172s to Citations. Great stories and experience.


Sent from my StarTac using Etch A Sketch.
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I suppose in theory you could pay me enough to ferry a 172 over the ocean but I dunno...either way my hat is off to the guys who do that cramp for a living.
 
Roger Roger said:
I suppose in theory you could pay me enough to ferry a 172 over the ocean but I dunno...either way my hat is off to the guys who do that cramp for a living.
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Indeed. I think he should write a book, the experiences alone are interesting. We'd be at an airport somewhere and I'd see a unique airplane on the ramp and then a conversation like this would take place:

"Hey, look a Velocity. Ever flown one?"

"Yes. I flew one from Butte, MT to Johannesburg. Had to bribe officials in Nigeria to get out of the country."

Or we'd park next a Cirrus at the FBO. "My first landing in a Cirrus was at XYZ airport in California. My second time landing a Cirrus was in Hawaii."
 
gotWXdagain said:
Don't be the richard cranium that uses their "airline privileges" in lieu of billing for an airline ticket.
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THIS is a surefire way to earn the ire of your colleagues.

1) It's probably against the airline's pass policy.
2) It's probably against JS use policy, and possibly denying a ride to someone for a legit reason.
3) You are undercutting people trying to earn a living.

That's the hat trick of d-baggery.

Richman
 
gotWXdagain said:
Don't be the richard cranium that uses their "airline privileges" in lieu of billing for an airline ticket.
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I have yet to hear of a company where using privileges in a situation like this is even allowed. The chances of company finding out are slim to none, but if they do, you can bet that you'd be in the unemployment line.
 
Richman said:
THIS is a surefire way to earn the ire of your colleagues.

1) It's probably against the airline's pass policy.
2) It's probably against JS use policy, and possibly denying a ride to someone for a legit reason.
3) You are undercutting people trying to earn a living.

That's the hat trick of d-baggery.

Richman
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Agree on 1 and 2. As for #3; What one person calls "undercutting" another calls "competing". After all, isn't everyone trying to earn a living?
 
Flying Saluki said:
Agree on 1 and 2. As for #3; What one person calls "undercutting" another calls "competing". After all, isn't everyone trying to earn a living?
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Not really competing when doing it for free. Some guys are trying to build time for free versus paying for the same time, so they'll do it for, well, ya know, free... Hard to make a buck when the 250hr guy takes that leg away from you.
 
I have been along on a ferry trip to South America. Let me tell you, there is a lot more to the international side than flying the airplane from point A to point B. You may need handlers, there are "tips" to be paid, and things do not always go smoothly in other countries. In a small single you will have to land at airports with limited facilities and possibly shady customs officials. Most of the guys I knew that were doing it got the random trip here and there, but its tough to build up regular business. I will say though, you get plenty of good bar stories.
 
sweeps said:
Not really competing when doing it for free. Some guys are trying to build time for free versus paying for the same time, so they'll do it for, well, ya know, free... Hard to make a buck when the 250hr guy takes that leg away from you.
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Well, my post assumed that the person was getting paid for it. Are there really people out there willing to take on that risk and liability for no compensation?
 
Hawks said:
I'm looking for more info on how to do this. I have only completed one ferry flight where a dropzone operator need a C-206 flown from A to B. I made $400 in two days (which I later learned is kind of low) , and learned some things in the process.
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Did you have your own insurance or the owner covered you?
 
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