i could use some advise

[flygirl22]

I am 19 and im about done with my privates, which has taken forever for me to get done because the lack of good weather. As the days passed I have been thinking of what career I want to do in the aviation profession. I just can't seem to figure it out. I currently in the UND program at Spokane Falls Community College and I'm starting the IFR course. I don't want to be a commercial pilot and i can't fully see myself in any other job just because I don't know. I am more looking for some fun job but I don't know what. I was kind of curisous if anyone knows of aviation art. I'm really into drawing and paints like the airbrushing. I was wondering if anyone knew of the airplane painting like the tail art?

but if anyone has any advise for me about jobs like crop dusting and what requirements and training for that is? Tail/ nose art for planes? Any other jobs that don't require the whole licensing but can still get payed for to fly?

any help would be awesome!!!

have a great day!!

thanks much TARAH

[Lee D]

Not sure if this is exactly what you are looking for. . . I have flown numerous planes (General aviation and 121) to paint shops. As far as I know everything is done in a single paint shop, body, logos, artwork etc.

I'd do a google search for the companies. I don't know if they do all of our planes, but an outfit in Roswell NM does many of them. (RJ and Brasilia. (SkyWest) I have also seen Southwest 737's in their hangers. Let's see. . . .There is a place in Kingman that does work too. In addition check out a place called Evergreen. (They do aircraft storage for the big guys. All kinds of maintenance, A through D checks and painting of course.)

I believe most GA aircraft manufacturers have in-house paintshops. Check the Cessna and Piper websites etc, etc.

I don't have any idea what credentials and experience these places want, but maybe that will at least point you in the general direction.

This stuff seems like it might be more industrial painting and not so much the artsy end of things that it appears you might be looking for. I don't think most paint shops do any flying. Usually someone from the company or owner of the aircraft takes the aircraft to the shop and back.

[tpaRob]

Paid to fly = Commercial Pilot.

You have to have your commercial license to get paid. You don't need your Instrument, ATP of CFI to get paid.. only the commerical allows you to collect a paycheck for flying.

Rob

[darrenf]

Originally Posted by flygirl22

I am 19 and im about done with my privates,

Pity.

[tpaRob]

I so wasn't going there.

[Firebird2XC]

On this site, you know somebody was.

Give the gal a break, though. It's a fair question.

[maxlt1]

Originally Posted by darrenf

Pity.

i just got it

[Patrick]

LMAO OK that was funny. Anyway, in all seriousness, yes, you need a commercial certificate to get paid to fly. Now, being paid to paint has nothing to do with being paid to fly. If you are an artist and are interested in working around aviation, I would first look at local shops and see if they can utilize your talents. Who knows, depending upon the market for your work you may find yourself with a very nice niche business in a couple years!

[SoCalPilotGuy]

How about skywriting? Flying and creating temporary art in the air for others to see.

[bunghole]

Originally Posted by flygirl22

I am 19 and im about done with my privates

Perhaps the Flight Surgeon Forum can provide some advice.

[PGT]

I'm 19 as well and recently realized that there are A LOT more jobs than an airline pilot.

Corporate/ charter
air ambluance
humanitarian flights
cargo ops
instructing

oh and t-cart knows everything there is to know about bush flying

[t-cart]

Originally Posted by flygirl22

I am 19 and im about done with my privates, which has taken forever for me to get done because the lack of good weather. As the days passed I have been thinking of what career I want to do in the aviation profession. I just can't seem to figure it out. I currently in the UND program at Spokane Falls Community College and I'm starting the IFR course. I don't want to be a commercial pilot and i can't fully see myself in any other job just because I don't know. I am more looking for some fun job but I don't know what. I was kind of curisous if anyone knows of aviation art. I'm really into drawing and paints like the airbrushing. I was wondering if anyone knew of the airplane painting like the tail art?

but if anyone has any advise for me about jobs like crop dusting and what requirements and training for that is? Tail/ nose art for planes? Any other jobs that don't require the whole licensing but can still get payed for to fly?

any help would be awesome!!!

have a great day!!

thanks much TARAH

Hi flygirl22, First, Welcome to JC. I really cant help you with bush flying, never done any, but I did fly crop dusters for a long time. To fly ag, all you need is the commercial. No instrument rating or Multi engine required. I will say this though, I would go ahead and get those ratings now while you are still training. I waited till a few years ago to get them and had to "relearn" some things about flying.

As for being a woman, it is not real common to see a woman doing this work, but I have heard of several and they have done quite well. It is hard dirty work, and it is dangerous work. The pay is quite good, once you get established with a good record. ie; not leaving a string of broken airplanes and drift claims behind you. A good or bad reputation will follow you your whole career.

As far as the nose art, cant really help with that other than to say maybe go to a few airshows and talk to owners. See if they might be interested.

Anyway, Good luck to you, and if you have any questions about ag flying I will be glad to help you out. T.C.

[Wittmandriver]

Cropdusting has been my absolute dream job since I was really young. I grew up on a farm and observed them all the time-back in the time before GPS. Like any career, in talking with the pilots, it has its up and downs-some love it, some hate it. Soon I am transfering to NAS Lemoore (I'm in the Navy) to the middle of farm central in CA.

Have you been to the airshow at Oshkosh? They actually have forums to teach people how to do what you love doing. Airbrushing is a very fine art, and yes, there is a market for it. If you have a chance, check it out, attend a forum, and network. If not, advertise and see if you get any bites. You do not need any license to do that type of work (unless you are using poly). Make some examples of your work, though. If I had the talent, I would. However, with my plane, I just tell everyone it is a 15 foot paint job-looks good from 15 feet .

Good luck!

Wittmandriver

[darrenf]

It's been a month. Apparently Flygirl isn't interested in the responses here.