part time flying career opportunities?

[farmerbrown]

I had been considering the mid life career change but after reading the posts on the realities of flying for a living and doing a few months of soul searching I decided that it wasn't worth it to me (wife and two young kids). My question now is whether or not there are part time opportunities. I am working toward my commercial now and will probably go forward with getting the CFI. I imagine I could find some part time work as a CFI but is there such a thing as part time cargo, charter, reserve pilot, corporate, or anything like that? I want to see if there is a way to have the best of both worlds, family and flying. Fortunately I have positioned myself in such a way that I could take a cut in pay and still be okay. Any thoughts, suggestion, strategies would be most appreciated.
Thanks.

[SteveC]

There are other opportunities out there for part-time flying gigs, but like all flying jobs they are not always easy to find. I know a couple of people that have full time jobs and do some flying on the side.

One guy works a factory day job that ends around 3:30. He meets the Part 135 experience requirements (1200 hours total among other) and works as a fill-in part timer for a local freight hauler.

Another guy I know is a full-time fireman that flys part-time 135 charter for the outfit I work for. I think he was flying full-time as a youngster, before switching to firefighting as a career. That's how he got his foot in the door.

I worked for more than a year as a part-timer myself. I had built up enough hours flying myself for business (I was part-owner of a Twin Comanche for a few years; i.e. lots of multi-engine time) that I talked the charter company into using me as a part-time pilot. I would take vacation days from my day job to fly charter trips.

There are two difficulties to getting part-time gigs like this. The first is building enough time to become employable. The second is developing the contacts and being in the right place when the opportunities become available. I think that doing part-time CFI work is a great way to get both of those.

Keep in mind that in order to do part-time work for most employers, whether cargo, charter, corporate or others, requires a great deal of flexibility in your schedule to meet their needs. Too many phone calls where you answer "I'd like to but I have other commitments today" and you'll find yourself off the call list. Remember that there is usually a cost to the employer involved with your being on-call - things like training, check rides, paperwork, drug test costs, etc., and they need a reasonable return on those costs otherwise you are not worth the expense.

[IndianaPilot]

man that would be sweet....flying as a part time job. i'm a firefighter myself...would be awesome once i get all my stuff done...to find a job like that...on my days off. i work on 24, off 48....sweet schedule

[applepwnz]

My aunt works part time for a small charter airline http://users.ids.net/flybi/nea/ . She works full time as a graphic designer, and flys Piper Sixs for that airline sometimes on weekends and evenings.

[Budroe]

FarmerBrown,

Im sort of in the same boat you are. Same age with wife and two kids also. I am also thinking about changing careers and becmoing a pilot. I am just curious, what is your reasoning for giving up piloting as a full time job? I imagine I have asked myself the same questions you have asked yourself. And I have about come to the same conclusions. For me it would be a long road, not to mention the money. There is a local Part 141 school where I live and I have been talking to those guys about becoming a full time pilot once I finish their program. I guess the hardest part for me is wondering how many times might we have to relocate. I dont know. Just wanted to pick your brain. I read on another thread about a guy, I can't remember his name, going from zero hours to hired by SkyWest in 2.5 years. He did it at a Part 61 school taking the summers off to travel. I guess it helps alot to be flexible and mobile when looking for this as a career. Just wanted to get your thoughts.

[braidkid]

[ QUOTE ]
I guess it helps alot to be flexible and mobile when looking for this as a career.

[/ QUOTE ]

Truer words have not been spoken.

[farmerbrown]

Budroe,
I gave up on becoming a pilot full time mostly because of family. Secondarily because of not wanting to drag my kids around. The more I thought about what I would be giving up (seeing the kids everyday) and what I was asking my wife to do (raise the kids while I was gone to pursue a flying career) the more I just didn't think it would be worth it. I guess it is a personal decision for everyone but reading through other peoples posts over the past few months help give me some perspective on what I would really be doing if I went forward.

Now, instead I am trying to figure a way to fly but not have to relocate and not have to be away from home all the time. Maybe it won't be possible but I am going to give it a shot. I am working on my ratings as time allows and getting money situated so that I can make a change if the opportunity arises.

[braidkid]

Well, I recently left the world of full time flying to return to my engineering job and have no regrets.
Working in engineering I make 4x the pay, get 4x more time off at home and have more stability. (Gee, makes me wonder why I tried pro flying to begin with!!!)
Anyway, I just got a part time flight instructing job. I don't plan to use it to gain hours, just to have fun.
So to me, I have the best of both worlds....I have a decent paying day job and get paid for my hobby. Also, I'm not told where to fly and most importantly what time to get there!!

[secretapproach]

What kind of flying did you do, braidkid?

[Prof. ATP]

I have been flying part time for many years. My regular job is college professor, so I fly full-time in the summer, and fill in on nights and weekends and the days I have no classes. I started as a CFI and built up slowly to the point where I am the Chief Instructor, Check Airman, as well as flying a King Air (and other aircraft) in our 135 operations. Not to brag, but you have to be good in order for the company to be willing to work around your schedule. And you have to be patient, too: upgrades come slower when you are part-time.

My research is aviation-related, which keeps the Dean happy, too.

Having two jobs can be a pain, but I get to meet too many interesting people and go to too many interesting places to give up flying.

[braidkid]

[ QUOTE ]
What kind of flying did you do, braidkid?

[/ QUOTE ]

Full time flight instructor, then freight pilot for flight express.

[wheelsup]

[ QUOTE ]


then freight pilot for flight express.

[/ QUOTE ]

No wonder you wanted to quit !

~wheelsup

[braidkid]

Well, they say it'll either make you or break you!! Guess it broke me!!!

I sure have more respect for those folks now.

[shooter13]

Question to you firefighter guys...

Why do yall work 24 hour days followed by 48 off?

I haven't ever understood the point of that. Obviously you aren't engaged in work activities the entire 24. Is there ever any concern that you will be busy most of the day and when the big raging inferno kicks off at 4am, you won't be at 100%?

Just curious.