Can you make any money doing this??

[Out of Control]

http://www.pilotcareercenter.com/JobLis ... JobID=1463

For all you jump pilots, what kind of cash can you make??

[Blue Side Down]

For all you jump pilots, what kind of cash can you make??

...wait was that a serious question?

[Bobby868]

mmm can't imagine it paying that much. The days are getting shorter and there is no jumping at night. Plus it's getting colder so fewer people will want to jump. I suspect there is probably only 4 more weekends left this season before they close down so I wouldn't be packing up my bags and moving across Canada for this one.

But hey you would get lots of landings and take offs in.

[Luscombe]

Payment for pilots vary from dropzone to dropzone. Some don't pay at all for flying, but pilots can earn money packing parachutes, mowing grass etc. Some pay per load, some per hour, and some pay a flat rate stipend. I could start ranting about pilots prostituting themselves for hours, but I won't, this isn't the place.

As mentioned in an earlier post, the season is winding down. September is usually a busy month at most DZ's located near a university, but come October you'll only find the heartiest of souls hanging around.

If you're serious about flying jumpers next season, look up your nearest dropzone in the yellow pages and pay them a visit. You might as well get the information from someone who's a lot more current flying jumpers than I am.

[Pith Helmet]

It says Comission for each jumper flown. I used to fly jumpers in AB and got 1$/jumper. You can do a load in 30 min so if you hurry you can make about $8/hr. When it's busy. For 4 hours. On the weekends. The job pays chump change.

[Out of Control]

I am not planning to pack up and move for this job ( already have one). I was just curious on the life of a jump pilot. You people need to relax a little, enjoy life, we are not here forever.

[john holmes]

I think the part in the job ad that says

These pilot positions are ideally suited for the individual who already lives in the Edmonton area and has steady income from another job which allows for weekends off or is highly flexible.

Kind of tells me you make F'all...

[Dust Devil]

I am not planning to pack up and move for this job ( already have one). I was just curious on the life of a jump pilot. You people need to relax a little, enjoy life, we are not here forever.

It would be a good job for ya. Everytime I fly with you I want to jump out of the airplane.

[BlueSkies12]

Out of Control said: I was just curious on the life of a jump pilot.

I assume it would be a glamorous one. Getting picked up in a limo everyday, a big table of food for your breaks, your own assistant, but that's the usual for a commercial pilot.

[YYC the place to be]

eden is a good drop zone, and for sure the most flying is done out of eden compared to the other 3 alberta drop zones. they have 3 aircraft 2 182's and a turbo 206. they look really junky but they are well maintained. you land and take off on a sketchy grass strip but it will make you a better pilot doing it. Being a jump pilot kicks ass and its says something when you have 6 guys in the 206 and they are doing a 6 way skydive and they all hanging outside the airplane and all leave at the same time. You have 1200lbs leave the aircraft and 6 bodies creating drag. it is a pretty rad sensation when they leave. if you are starting out I would go for it. but everyone is right when they say that they wouldn't move across the country for it.

[beechy]

does anyone else find it sad that they are asking for time on type......

[goldeneagle]

It says Comission for each jumper flown. I used to fly jumpers in AB and got 1$/jumper. You can do a load in 30 min so if you hurry you can make about $8/hr. When it's busy. For 4 hours. On the weekends. The job pays chump change.

I have vague memories of a few weekends in the drop zone. I remember them as great times, party that started on friday afternoon, and continued thru non stop till sunday evening after dinner. I could'nt partake in the drinking till after dark, but that was ok, I was having fun running the airplane up and down the hill.

What I remember most of those weekends, first, there wasn't much money, but, it normally covered my beer bill, so, that was good. I also remember that the drop zone was a great place to find nubile and adventurous young ladies out for a weekend of hardcore fun. Good times were had by all....

[Blue Side Down]

On a more serious note-

Jump flying is a lot of fun, but you can't live off of the gig if youre at a Cessna dropzone, generally speaking.

I get paid about $10 a flight hour flying jumpers in a '82. Some days it dosen't cover gas to get there- other days it covers gas and lunch- a good day is a $40 day- when I make enough to pay for gas lunch and a jump.

Flying a Cessna at a DZ is mostly a source of entertainment and a break from real life- and that's because the people are awesome to hang out with.

Good luck!

[gonfly'n]

since pay is optional are they commercial pilots or do they just fly the piper cessna 182s?

[Hedley]

It should be painfully obvious that aviation is not someplace to get rich. Ask anyone unfortunate to own Air Canada stock, for example.

These days, you are about as likely to accrue a million dollars as a pilot in Canada, as you are if you spend your life taking change out of pools in shopping malls.

Aviation is about having FUN, people. It's like sex - you're unlikely to get rich at it, but gosh, is it ever fun.

P.S. If it's not fun (if it hurts) you're probably not doing it right

There are lots easier ways to make lots of money, which you can then spend on aviation (and sex) and have LOTS of fun.

[Jumpus Pilotus]

I am a full time jump pilot and this is my only job.

I have a fixed salary, medical and dental plan, free jumps and a bonus at the end of the season. I fly a 182, a 205 and a 206. I know some Navajo pilots who make less money than I.

The fixed salary makes my wage very low during July and August but it raises it in April and October when I get a pay check for doing absolutly nothing since April and October are rained out here in BC.

Flying jumpers is a good, easy and fun way to earn some time. The vibe at most drop zones is awsome. Jumpers are good people to work with and most of them would kill for their pilots.

Some Drop Zone owners will ask you to risk your life and licence by flying into crap or with overload planes. They ask it because most lowtimers say yes to anything. At this point, YOU are the one who makes the difference.

[invertedattitude]

Anyone know in the east coast you can get 182 time? The school here wants 50hrs 182 time, i have 300TT (whoopdie do, i stopped when ATC started)

[Jumpus Pilotus]

Anyone know in the east coast you can get 182 time? The school here wants 50hrs 182 time, i have 300TT (whoopdie do, i stopped when ATC started)

Try Grondair in QC. They used to have 182s for rent and for fire patroll.

[Jumpus Pilotus]

http://www.grondair.qc.ca/tariffeeng.htm