Survey pilot

[N422NM]

Title: Aerial Survey Pilot
Company: Landcare Aviation Product/Service: Location: Oriskany, NY Required Travel: NoneJob Type: Full-timeEmployment Type: Permanent
Description: Collection of airborne data collection, plan and execute solo pilot aerial survey missions nationwide; handle, operate and troubleshoot sophisticated, high dollar digital imagining equipment; managing the care & maintenance of aircraft, troubleshooting sensor problems, Fly in every type of airspace, every type of terrain & in a wide range of weather conditions.
Requirements: BS in Aviation major; minimums -- 500 hours total time; commercial/multi/instrument. Current FAA Class II medical At least one yr. of flight currency & 3 months of instrument currency remaining when they are hired.
Company Benefits: Salary: $450 per week
Contact Information: N/Ajobs@landvue.com Phone: 315 736 4225 Fax: 315 736 4227 Landcare Aviation US
Preferred Response Method:Company Name: Landcare Aviation Mailing Address: Oneida County Airport 5900 Airport Rd Oriskany, NY 13424 US Web site: landvue.com Contact: Bob Shirley or Simon Title: General Manager Phone: 315 736 4225 Fax: 315 736 4227 Email: jobs@landvue.com

[saxman66]

I just interviewed with this company yesterday. I'm still not 100% sure I'm going to accept the position, but I'm certianly leaning toward it. I'll say more later. gotta go

Chris

[Texasspilot]

I flew for them...if you have any questions just ask...its a great gig.

[towhook]

Texasspilot:

What type of aircraft? How much time is spent on the road? Are you home enough to require a place to live? How much per-diem?


Saxman:

What was the interview like? Any gouge?


Thanks to both of you.

[saxman66]

Well I'll put a gouge in the interview experiences topic in a min. Pretty much, Texaspilot can tell you what the was like.

Pretty much you arrive in October at UCA. He said you'd hang out for about a week or doing training flights and to get familier with the systems. He showed me the systems in the aircraft which seemed to be quite impressive. 5 cameras and lots of other computer type gadgets. He was going to go flying with me, but none of the aircraft had data cards plus I had to drive back to ROC to catch a flight home. After a little some flights in training you're off to assignment in places such as DC, Miami to name a few. Most are all in large cities in very busy airspace. You pretty much live as a nomad. Just load up the 172 with all your stuff where you can fit it, and fly it across the country. They pay for hotel and a rental car when you are on assignment. The flying is all done in the middle of the day. Some assignments are short for like a week but others can be 1 or 2 months, depending on the amount of work to be done. Pretty much, you are in charge of your aircraft, mx included while you are on the road.

I can imagine some days can be very tedious, or when you get bad weather and can't fly. The good thing is its a salery, so if you don't get to fly you still get paid. They want you to stay on for about 7 months which is when the jobs end. However you can choose to stay, as there are odd jobs that come up during the summer.

So I'm debating whether to take it.
pros.
-higher pay
-a unique job
-lots of XC time
-see lots of the US
-i'm young and single and shouldn't miss something like this

cons.
-i'll quit my current CFI job after 5 months
-won't learn as much by not instructing
-little night time
-little IFR time
-social life will suck not knowing anyone around
-leaving a big college town will not help change my single status

So pretty much I'm deciding if an airline will frown or applaud this move. Since interviews are lots of IFR stuff, I'm worried I may not be quite as proficient as if I were teaching inst students.

Texas: I'll be PMing you

Look for my gouge in the interviews section.

[Texasspilot]

Heres the skinny

BY the way TXpilot did this same thing for a different company.

I worked there for about 5 or 6 months and logged about 100 hrs a month.
I spent 100% of my time on the road. Average location was about a month. But I did spend two months in orange county which was nice.

Pay
was 375 a week for the first month for us then up to 450.
No per diem
All hotels and rental cars payed for on company card so the only thing you pay for is food and entertainment.
You wont be stayin in the hilton nor the motel 6. I usally tried to get into an extended stay or best western because they usually both had gyms and refrigerators and the extended stays usually had full kitchens.
Flying
I flew the 172 - 5260K was my bird.
Logged a ton of time
I almost always had another pilot or three on the same assignment so there was usually someone to hang with.
Tons of cross country...remember just do a touch and go somewhere and itll count.
I flew at night quite a bit x-country.
I flew IFR quite a bit x-country.

The company is great and if Bob is still in charge there he's a cool guy.

If any of you guys have the chance to do this I would say do not turn it down. I flew from NY to LA. Crossed the northern rockys in the winter and the southern rockys in the summer. Learned about managing the aircraft, actually working in the IFR enviroment, definatly learned about workin in busy airspace, logged a ton of time, and made some money.

You'll learn a ton about actually operating in the airspace system with this job.
I had a ton of fun doing it.

saxman - you can shoot a practice appraoch everytime you land if you want so that your proficient IFR. You'll be really good on the radio. We mapped out orange and most of LA county as well as the marine base down there and trust me doing grids on the finals to LAX and SNA will have you workin the radios like crazy.

The cons

You will be away from home the whole time..so if your a family man it probably wouldn't be the best gig for you.

You probably will spend some time alone but I reccomend using that time to hit up the bars, coffee shops, sight seeing...hell use the internet and meet the females on the road. Have fun with it.

Some memorable things i did besides crossing both sides of the Rockys in a 172
Made it to tijajuana for a night
Went surfing a couple times
Saw the wales up by bellingham.
Met a ton of cool people


This job is definatly a good way to prepare yourself for some 135 freight flying and if you decide to go to the airlines afterwords well at least youll have something to talk about besides cfi'ing.


Sorry if this is so scattered around...its been a long day.

[CRJDriver]

I applied for this job as well. I've just send Bob the rest of my paperwork a few days ago, we'll see if he still wants me. Overall, the gig sounds pretty good, lot's of flying, good pay, but I'm not sure yet if I want to do it. I have another job interview on Friday for an instructing job out in Oregon. Either way, we'll see what happens, I just want to leave my current job asap.

[Stone Cold]

Did I see I was mentioned??! LOL. Yes, I flew for a competitor for 4 months and logged 360 hours, all 172 time, and had a blast doing it. It was on the road 100%, so it will strain a relationship, but it worked for me and my wife, and got me to 135 minimums.

I won't say how bad y'all get ripped off money-wise, but I had a better deal. That's all I'll say about that one. Both companies are good to build up some extremely good flying experience. If you want to know who I flew for, do a search, as I've talked about it in the past. I do not forward resumes any more for this position, but good luck to all out there pursuing this job. It's definitely well worth it!!

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by Texasspilot

Pay
was 375 a week for the first month for us then up to 450.
No per diem
All hotels and rental cars paid for on company card so the only thing you pay for is food and entertainment.

you're working for free then, food on the road is expensive. Just ask the CA I fly all month with - $100+/4-day trip. It adds up.

I can see a few positives though, if you can get out of your lease (or if you live at home) you won't have rent, you can park your car or sell it and cancel the insurance, and you won't need to buy $3/gal gas. If you're young (and have rent) these combined could save you $500+/month.

[killbilly]

I would kill to have the qualifications for this job. This sounds utterly perfect to me right now.

[Texasspilot]

[quote=wheelsup;418384]you're working for free then, food on the road is expensive. Just ask the CA I fly all month with - $100+/4-day trip. It adds up. [quote]

Only if you eat out every night...... Every hotel i stayed at had a fridge and microwave. 90% of the time I had a stove and oven also. I averaged 10 bucks a day on food and managed to save quite a bit. By the way...the pay comes out to almost what you made your first year flying an RJ......................and thats for flying a 172...................


And as for you TX...yah you guys got a hell of a deal on the PerDiem....I can't remember his name but who was the guy who lived in a tent in the hanger?....that guy was makin bank.

[wheelsup]

Only if you eat out every night...... Every hotel i stayed at had a fridge and microwave. 90% of the time I had a stove and oven also. I averaged 10 bucks a day on food and managed to save quite a bit. By the way...the pay comes out to almost what you made your first year flying an RJ......................and thats for flying a 172...................

I had hoped you bring that up. $450/week is around $22.5k/yr (assuming you take a vacation). That's $5k less than what I made first year (20% less BTW). How about second year pay? Does your pay go up by 50%+? No? Hmm. How is the medical/dental plan? Retirement? Do you get 401k matching? How many days off /month do you get? QOL? Contract? The same could be said for CAL or UPS first year pay. Would you turn down a job at CAL/UPS because their first year pay is "almost what you'd make flying a 172"? How about quality of time? Besides an entry level 135 gig single engine 172 time will get you no where. I'm not trying to make excuses (the pay is what it is) and we know it's low, at least for the first year.

Try thinking about the "big picture" instead of the here and now.

I realize this is for someone with low time, so one can't be picky, but taking a jab at first year FO pay which I put on here for others to plan is IMO a little "below the belt". That's the last time I try and help anyone out. Hope you didn't ever look at the jobs I posted.

[Texasspilot]

I think your misunderstanding the job.

Its usually a shorter term contract 5 months or so, part 91, and flying a light aircraft in all sorts of weather, terrian, and airspace. It is a good job to get a freight gig with, because you already have very similiar experience, its also a great job to move onto an airline with. Infact i'd say its quicker and more actual flying experience than instructing(though I did both, and thats what i'd reccomend) With the money you save doing this for 5 or 6 months you could easily afford to buy your 100 hours Multi and move on to an airline...if thats your thing.

And as for below the belt...it wasn't any farther below the belt than you stating that I did what amounts to professional aviation job for free.

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by Texasspilot

And as for below the belt...it wasn't any farther below the belt than you stating that I did what amounts to professional aviation job for free.

i never said that, I inferred that you'd be spending all your $$ on food...unless you carry a cooler and visit grocery stores every few days, which it looks like you did. I'd wager *most* people wouldn't, judging by my past experiences. Something to think about before accepting a job, IMO.

I'm not misunderstanding the job, but comparing this job (and pay) to a regional job (and pay) is apples and oranges IMO.

EDIT: Unfortunately at this stage in someones career, sometimes you have to trade money for experience. Not always, but it happens. I was lucky in that I made OK money as a CFI too (as far as CFI's go, certainly not OK money as considered by the outside world) and had a pretty good gig, but I also had some not so good gigs and can understanding why someone would be better off taking a job such as this one, all things considered.

[Texasspilot]

"your working for free then"

Like I said 90% of the time youll be in a hotel with a fridge and stove/microwave/oven sometimes even BBQ grills outside. (You get to pick your own hotels) and since you always have a car to drive going to a grocery store isn't exactly a huge deal.

and your right I don't put this job in the same field as a long term employment like a regional(though you can definatly make a good living doing aerial survey) but I did take offense to your statement.

And as for you getting upset if you really were hoping I'd bring it up..why'd you get so offended.

oh and my next job after this survey gig was flying a part 91 citation II and another guy I flew with went to skywest.

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by Texasspilot

"your working for free then"

you didn't do so well on the SAT reading comprehension, did you?

and your right I don't put this job in the same field as a long term employment like a regional

Then don't compare them.

the straw machine is out of straws...

sorry you took offense, read the entire post and take it in context next time please

Also, I remember posting some survey jobs, pay was $60k+/yr. I think one was in alabama. I tried to convince the significant other to let me do it but she wouldn't move. I don't blame her.

[Texasspilot]

690....better than average...i guess its because I can read between the lines pretty well.

I guess I could ask you the same question since my first post it stated that you would be staying at hotels with all the things listed as well as having a rental car payed for. Of course you say according to your experience which you have none regarding this job so I guess that explains it.

And I would say the pay is comparable.

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by Texasspilot

690....better than average...i guess its because I can read between the lines pretty well.

I guess I could ask you the same question since my first post it stated that you would be staying at hotels with all the things listed as well as having a rental car payed for. Of course you say according to your experience which you have none regarding this job so I guess that explains it.

And I would say the pay is comparable.

If only you knew how to spell 'paid' back then maybe you would've aced it? Sorry couldn't resist. I only scored a 650 .

When I talk about experience with this sort of stuff, I'm referring to packing lunches and such. Not many people do it from my observations of co-workers and friends with office jobs. Maybe they all did it where you worked because you didn't get per diem. Pilots are cheap!

It's cool you get a rental car, makes it easy to enjoy the city. I tried to give some benefits in my first post as well. Sounds like a good gig for someone with low time, but I still wouldn't compare it to working at a good regional. To each his own.

[Texasspilot]

yah spelling is what always got me....




stupid letters.

[DE727UPS]

I think this would be a good job for someone with 300 to 500 hours. Instructing is great but I think this is just as good of a timebuilder. The time certainly is good for building up to 1200 hours 135 IFR freight mark. 1200 total and 50 multi will get you a job at Amflight and PIC turbine in six months. 1000 total should get you looked at if you are interested in the regionals.

[Stone Cold]

Originally Posted by Texasspilot

And as for you TX...yah you guys got a hell of a deal on the PerDiem....I can't remember his name but who was the guy who lived in a tent in the hanger?....that guy was makin bank.

Yeah, we had a heck of a deal. Like I said, I won't rub it in, but it was more than WU made, if I had stayed at the job, for flying a 172. Adam D. is the guy's name. I need to call him, but last I heard he was doing one of the Argus type corporate and charter aviation branch evaluations for a company in Philly.

Get over yourself WU. It's a good paying, low-time pilot job. You were the one that came to the thread with no experience in the job. Like I said before, these guys get the shaft when it comes to pay. We were paid much much better. Period. I won't go into details, but you can look at previous posts.

Once again, no A/C and you knock it. I would be embarrassed to be saying that I fly 50-70 seat JETS and getting all high and mighty with a 172 driver that pays almost the same (btw, both of us are now flying for other companies, being hired right after the survey gig). Yes, I wouldn't have been at your 2nd year pay, but it's possible with some other aerial survey jobs to surpass your 2nd year pax carrying jet job. Remember our conversation on how you said there are no high paying jobs for piston types...I guess you're showing another job that adds to my argument, aren't you???!

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by txpilot

but it's possible with some other aerial survey jobs to surpass your 2nd year pax carrying jet job. Remember our conversation on how you said there are no high paying jobs for piston types...I guess you're showing another job that adds to my argument, aren't you???!

I think one would have to look at all variables before making a career out of aerial survey. From what I gather here the pilots that fly these routes are gone anywhere from 7 days to 1-2 months. The job in alabama was like that. If that's what floats your boat, have at it.

Having no A/C has absolutely nothing to do with it. I try to factor everything in when it comes to taking a job, after having made several lateral moves. I'm not knocking the job, it sounds like a good gig for sure. Better than CFI'ing for sure. I'd love to get out of the regional rat race soon. Just not sure what I want to do yet.

[saxman66]

So we have "Texasspilot" and "txpilot"..who both worked for separate survey companies. Now I thought I was getting a good deal with Landcare and now "txpilot" has to come and ruin it for me. jk.

[Texasspilot]

Yah...confusing enough for yah!

I don't know how much multi you have but i talked to a company last fall who was looking for a pilot for Nashville flying a 421 aerial survey. Pay was 90K to start...i didn't have enough multi time..they were looking for around 3000TT and 2000multi PIC. Gone two weeks home two weeks.

Theres quite a few companies out there doing this same type of work. I don't think you'll be dissapointed wherever you go. Have fun...let me know if you end up down in dallas

[Stone Cold]

Originally Posted by saxman66

So we have "Texasspilot" and "txpilot"..who both worked for separate survey companies. Now I thought I was getting a good deal with Landcare and now "txpilot" has to come and ruin it for me. jk.

Sorry to ruin it for ya. If it's any consolation, I am the original txpilot, been going by it since '92 in e-mail and other on-line stuff. Yes, we had a much better deal. PM me if you want more details and can't find it in the search.