Help With Pay

TrustMeI'maPilot

TrustMeI'maPilot

Well-Known Member
I need some help and advice about a job I have coming up.

I've been asked to fly a mapping contract in a C207 that involves flying the plane from Virginia to California, performing the job and flying it back. The work is supposed to take about 140 hours including the trip out and back over 3-4 weeks.

The owner of the company and the normal pilot for the operation can't do the contract so he asked me to do it for him. He also asked what I want for compensation. This is where I need help because I've never done anything like this, I've only instructed for the past 2.5 years.

He said he would be willing to pay a day rate or an hourly rate.

This is where I would like some advice from those who have done something like as to what they got paid. I'm not really a low time pilot trying to build hours this is strictly a job for money to me.

Thanks
 
I'd ask for a Day rate.


Maybe you can find someone to sit right seat and have them pay you in exchange for flight time :sarcasm:
 
What is it worth to you to be away from home, flying a C172 as PIC from coast to coast in all types of weather and airspace, while living out of motels and off of fast food? I think $4,000 plus per diem would be minimum and per diem should be close to $150/day, FYI.
 
Citationkid said:
That is $9000 for the month, I think that is a little steep. I'd want $4000 for the month, plus expenses.

Alex.
Click to expand...

$4000 is less than $28/flight hour. CFIs here make that here not travelling. If they have the budget to ferry the plane cross-country, they have the budget to pay more than 130/day.
 
drunkenbeagle said:
$4000 is less than $28/flight hour. CFIs here make that here not travelling. If they have the budget to ferry the plane cross-country, they have the budget to pay more than 130/day.
Click to expand...
I think $28/hr is a decent rate for piloting a C172 with no responsibility for passengers or students. Just don't forget the per diem that is completely separate from your pay rate and should not be used to help the owner reason with you a lower wage.
 
One hint about negotiations of price - the first side to give a number always loses.

Ask what their budget is. If they come back with X/day, you can say fine. If they come back with less than X, you can still ask for more.

Once you give a price, if it is lower than what they planned on, they will happily pocket the difference. There is no way you will ever get more.
 
drunkenbeagle said:
One hint about negotiations of price - the first side to give a number always loses.

Ask what their budget is. If they come back with X/day, you can say fine. If they come back with less than X, you can still ask for more.

Once you give a price, if it is lower than what they planned on, they will happily pocket the difference. There is no way you will ever get more.
Click to expand...
In that case...

drevil.png
 
But you're accounting for the 28/HOUR not 28/FLIGHT hour with your math, Beagle. As was stated above, the per diem should be separate. This is all IMO...
 
subpilot said:
I think $28/hr is a decent rate for piloting a C172 with no responsibility for passengers or students.
Click to expand...

I'm gonna ask my DPE if he'll take $28/hour for my commercial ride - after all, it will only be a 172, and he won't have a student to instruct - he's just sitting there ;)

I think it was a skywagon, a bit more than a 172. I'm sure the budget just for the operating cost for the month is well north of 30 large.
 
rd757 said:
But you're accounting for the 28/HOUR not 28/FLIGHT hour with your math, Beagle. As was stated above, the per diem should be separate. This is all IMO...
Click to expand...

140 flight hours * 28/hour = $4,000.

I usually want actual expenses, not a per diem. I've gotten burned every time I've taken one.
 
drunkenbeagle said:
I'm gonna ask my DPE if he'll take $28/hour for my commercial ride - after all, it will only be a 172, and he won't have a student to instruct - he's just sitting there ;)

I think it was a skywagon, a bit more than a 172. I'm sure the budget just for the operating cost for the month is well north of 30 large.
Click to expand...
:insane: stupid argument!

Ok, so when there are hundreds of DE's sitting around waiting for a phone call from an applicant then you can drive down the rate to $28/hr, but I am sure as long as the FSDO only allows a select few in each region to be designated then they control the pricing. Go to the FSDO, Uncle Sam will cover the cost for you.
 
subpilot said:
:insane: stupid argument!
Ok, so when therGo to the FSDO, Uncle Sam will cover the cost for you.
Click to expand...

FSDO is kinda free, but you have to go where they want you. In my case, the local FSDO doesn't really do checkrides here- they send you out of town (which will cost more than a DPE charges). But I was giving an example - they don't cut their prices to attract business. They certainly could if they wanted to.

And hey, I did freelance consulting for about 5 years. Had tons of buddies sitting around waiting for work, I was usually busy, and charging 3 times what they did. Being willing to walk away from work is important. I probably turned down 10 jobs for every one I took - you need to budget for being on the bench to keep your prices up. Otherwise, you end up working more every year for less money.
 
My DJ business is the same way. We aren't cheap and we don't cut friends deals. We may have to walk away from some, but others with the budget we're asking will take it, and I make sure they get their money's worth.

/off topic.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top