Any advice on jobs for new pilots?

Question

I have just earned my commercial liscense for single and multi-engine. Rather than instructing are their any other opportunities for work. I have about 220 hours, 130 multi, and about 160 PIC. I have look for websites everywhere, but of course most all jobs have a mimimum of 500 required. Does anyone know of any websites that post entry level jobs for pilots other than instructing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Answer 1

As a Female who has flown for 20+ years- I really hate to say this . I was doing 135 air ambulance in Lear's and falcons and the pay stunk- but the medics/nurse was making 60-100 a hour in the back . It took 1 year to get my Flight RN, I still fly- just in the back but not for less then 60.00 an hours and that includes dead legs which I can always do PIC if I feel the need. Unfortunately the aviation employment rate really isn't where it should of went.
Hope you find a good one- try the islands and ports of call-just be careful of runners of illegals

Answer 2

Personally, it could be less expensive so that you can knock out all of your rankings at a neighborhood airport, alternatively then paying a enormous institution for it. Many pilots will inform you to get a measure in whatever different then simply aviation or flying in case whatever occurs to you ten years down the street and also you lose your clinical. Airlines, and company gigs are watching for a couple of matters: pilot revel in, a few school measure (does not topic the principal so much occasions), and persona for the manufacturer. Also seem into on-line categories in this day and age, ERAU presents them, so that you might do stuff at a neighborhood airport at the same time doing tuition on-line and nonetheless running complete time.

Answer 3

Unfortunately there is not a ton of jobs available for low time pilots like yourself, you really need to build up the hours before heading off to a commuter or a charter company. I have found that the pilots that come through doing their time as flight instructors are really experienced , they learn so much from their students and in the end makes them better pilots themselves. Like someone posted before you can go the route of scenic flights, etc... The pay starting out in aviation is never going to be really good, but the experience you get will definitely help you in the long run to become a better pilot!

Answer 4

I've been, until recently, in a very similar situation as yourself.

I trained for a CPL with single and multi priviledges and IFR...finished up with nearly identical hours to yourself and found the same dilemma - how to find a job that needs less that 500 hours!

I was tempted to try the web too, but my first piece of advice would be to not - at least, not on job-searching. Jobs for pilots, unlike a lot of other jobs, are not readily advertised - and the few that are, are usually the higher-profile such as chief pilots or for those with a lot of hours - or for training opportunities.

I got my job by selling myself, basically. I started off by thinking practically - basically, where will flying be useful?

Next tip - and this was easy for me but if you're from a metropolitan area, it might be harder - and that was to look rural. City-based jobs are highly sought after and most companies will set a high bar for hours in order to get the best. Rural jobs are less so - so they are less picky.

Scenic and joy-flights are a great start. Yes, they're routine, each flight may only be an hour and you mightn't go away for nice long charters - but they're solid. The hours tick over and importantly, they get your foot in the door to progress internally.

My advice would be similar to what I did. Pick an area where tourists go. In my case, it was a popular national park & mountain area. Then, scout out and list the airports - including small airstrips. A World Aeronautical Chart is a good start for this - it'll show their geographic location to the area - so you don't need to check which towns are close.

Pick these airports - then search for them on the net. See if you can find if there is a local operator - or if there's not one listed, try ringing the town council or aeroclub - they'll tell you who operates from there and you'd be amazed how many small companies are out there to be found in this way!

Next thing - along the same lines - is to search specifics. Don't look for "pilot jobs". Look for "scenic flights" or charter flights in the area - often, Google or the like will find someone small.

Search for industrially-servicing flying companies too. I'm not sure where you are but here in Australia, we have a LOT of mining companies out in the outback, a long way from cities - and also, oil fields, gas fields, etc. These companies are often loaded with the cash and fly in work crews. Contact them - ask if they do. If so...ask who flies the people in - and then contact that company. There's heaps of work in that.

Be prepared to move. I know moving is hard, especially a long way, but you and I and quite a few others are working a unique field - General Aviation. It's not like, say, school teaching or admin where you can stay local and get a job and never move. Often in GA, low-time pilots need to move - it's the places no-one wants to go that have the work. That said, there are some unreal places too - so don't just look at the dumps, look at the good tourist spots like beaches! Northern Australia has beautiful tropical beaches and a great lifestyle, and work abounds for inexperienced pilots, doing scenic flights and beach day-trips.

Again...search areas of demand!

Remember...even if a company says they're "ok" or don't need pilots - push. Sell yourself. Leave a resume. Offer to come see them. Tell them not what they can do for you....tell them what you can, will do for them. Really sound keen - and learn a bit about them. Knowing what they fly, how they started, what they do is a huge plus - even if it's just subtle like saying "I heard about your so-and-so operations in Cessna aircraft at place x, and would like to offer my interest". Don't do what so many do and just leave the paperwork - talk. Show interest. Let them see how bad you want this job - and let them think you want this one and no other! Do that for every job you apply for...don't just seem like you're firing off resumes and waiting for a call - it won't come.

Now, lets say you've found a suitable company.

Find their website, see what they do. Give them a call and speak to them. As I said, even if they say nothing is available, offer a resume. If they really don't intend to ever take on new staff, they'll refuse - but if there's a possible need, they'll accept. Send a resume and cover letter. Call! Talk. They like to hear a voice behind the words.

But above all, show your face. Make the effort to take a day off, book a time with the Chief Pilot and drive/travel to see them. Dress nicely, shave, look professional, tidy and pleasant. But the big thing is, fit what they want. If it's business charter - show up like it, not in your Hawaiian shirt.

But if they do scenic flights with backpackers over tropical reefs, don't turn up in your suit and tie - just neat casual. Fit their style. Remember, as a light-plane pilot, we are there, seen by the passengers. The company knows that and needs you to show it. Show it from the start. Be obliging. Offer to pay for a check/demo flight of a few circuits for maybe $50 - to show them how you fly. They'll like that...I know money isn't easy to come by but if you put $50-100 into impressing them and get a $30K job from it, it's worth it! Be on time - early and bring your logbook, licence, medical - so if they ask for it, you're prepared.

But the biggest thing I can say is, get in their face and let them believe they NEED you! Even if they think they're ok for numbers, let them believe that it'll be worth their time to put you on.

Even if they say they'll be in touch - be proactive. Offer to return again in a month. Call every few weeks and let them know you're still keen. Be prepared to move if need be.

But most of all...be professional, polite and in demand - don't let them control you - you need to let them see that they need you! Companies don't care how bad you need work. But they do care if they think they need you... :-)

Stand out, be proactive, show them you care about their company. Target them. Let them see you're too good to let go of and good luck!

Feel free to email me if you want more advice!

Answer 5

.................. have a Conservative and not cavalier attitude in the cockpit ................... all times ................