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N659HB

N659HB

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pipeline patrol and banner/glider towing, what are some practical ways to generate income with a commercial pilot's license?

Capt. Jeffrey Thorpe has inspired my (legal) retirement dreams.
 
CFI, banner towing, patrol (though damn drones moving in), Part 135, corporate. , (some require an instrument rating). Or become an AOA salesman. :D
 
I've considered getting a Sport Instructor Rating, and teach using the Luscombe, but I'd have to install brakes on the pax side. Plus, I suck as a teacher. I'm cool with the "more right rudder" mantra, though!
 
I hear drug smuggling pays well and you don't even need a CPL...but what do I know? :rolleyes:
 
Wet ink on a commercial license and 500 hours will get ya flying in Alaska.

250 hours and you can get right seat KA 90 in a few air ambulance companies.... and you fly the empty legs, which is about half the time the plane flies.
 
Heck, scam chicks at the bar with your commercial certificate. Or, with your PPL. Chicks can't tell the difference. Unless of course you run in to the wrong chick. Then you have to turn your charm on.
 
Zeldman said:
Wet ink on a commercial license and 500 hours will get ya flying in Alaska.

250 hours and you can get right seat KA 90 in a few air ambulance companies.... and you fly the empty legs, which is about half the time the plane flies.
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Do they still pay you to move there? How much is it these days?
 
At one time companies were required to pay for travel to Alaska to start a job, but I am not sure if that is done anymore.
 
Ok, the PFD is different. You have to live in Alaska for a year from the period of 01January to 31December before you can apply for it.

And the amount changes every year. I used to get it and I just considered it a free months rent. I think the most I ever got was just a touch over 1700 and the least was around 900, but it can be higher as well as lower.

It is one of the few things done right in Alaska.

There is no state sales tax but individual towns and villages can have a sales tax. And no state income tax. Prices are higher there and most use ... well, this is Alaska and everything cost more.... as an excuse to over charge.
 
You don't need any certificate to smuggle cocaine.
 
N659HB said:
pipeline patrol and banner/glider towing, what are some practical ways to generate income with a commercial pilot's license?

Capt. Jeffrey Thorpe has inspired my (legal) retirement dreams.
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When you find something, do let us know. I'm in the same position you are. Nothing down in my area though that I can start doing now without spending more money up front.

I'm a 300 something hour commercial pilot w/ instrument rating (ASEL) no multi and all I found are some really low paying CFI jobs, banner towing (which requires you to SPEND money up front for training) but would otherwise be ideal for me since I can definitely work holidays and weekends and AG which again, requires capital to train on a pawnee trainer, take weeks of classes, etc.

From what I've read and heard AG folks would rather have a farmer who can fly a plane then a great pilot that knows a little about farming.

So, I have no opportunities to really do anything. I even started looking into drones since you can take a class and get signed off to be remote pic for part 107 operations. Got a friend that does that as a side job.
 
jordane93 said:
Aerial photography, DZs, aerial survey.
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Forget about doing a DZ with anything less than 1000 hours (at least in my area). There was an aerial survey thing going on down here at KSPG, don't know if they still do it, but doesn't work out for me since I work 7-5. Be nice if there was something for us "after hours" or weekends/nights commercial pilots.
 
N659HB said:
pipeline patrol and banner/glider towing, what are some practical ways to generate income with a commercial pilot's license?

Capt. Jeffrey Thorpe has inspired my (legal) retirement dreams.
Click to expand...

Have you looked at FAR 119.1(e)?

Bob
 
N659HB said:
"DZs"? You mean flying meat bombs? lol

Aerial photography is appealing, as I'm an amateur photog... but is there a market?

Ag ops would be interesting.
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That was my first job as a commercial pilot. I flew for a guy who owned a 150 and I flew him around while he took pictures.
 
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