apply for float jobs

[Avro87]

just curious if any of you guys out there have got jobs on floats anywhere with just your 7 hour endorsement? I imagine there aren't to many of you, but I'm just curious. I know a lot of people start out working the dock and then move their way up (how long of a process is that usually, and how do they ease you into the flying? how much flying?). Where are some good places to apply? Thanks a lot!

[Pete]

To add to this: being the first season coming, I'll be doing my first road trip...do alot of "mom n' pop" companies take pilots...I have a couple so far I want to hit...but if family generally flies there planes, Im curious to know if its even worth going out of the way for to talk with them. Also, Is march the best time for a road trip?

Good thread, look forward to hearing some replies.

[bcflyer]

Its definately worth the time to go and see the mom and pop opertators. In fact you may have a better chance of getting flying with a single airplane operation. My first job was at one of those types and I was flying right away with 210 hrs and 20 hrs on floats. There are ways to get lowtimers flying if they like you.

[sameasyou]

Mom and Pop operations are good. Yu should do a bit of research and try to find out which fishing lodges have airplanes. These are also good places to try, especially if you have other skills to offer. By this, I mean handyman stuff like carpentry, plumbing, boat and motor repair, etc. They are often willing to give low-timers a break if you are willing to do other work

[180]

Mom and Pop operations CAN be good, but don't be so glassy eyed about your first float gig that you don't do your research.

The question is, is it a Mom and Pop operation that takes their maintenance and safety seriously, or is it a Mom and Pop organization that likes hiring young guys with virtually no experience because they'll do what they are told and don't know any better when it comes to proper maintenance.

My experience with one-plane Mom and Pop family run operations has been the latter.

Not to say that good ones don't exist, but they probably are the exception rather than the rule.

Beware of companies that have been passed down from father to Son.

[Idriveplane]

Beware of companies that have been passed down from father to Son

Indeed, ive heard of a few of those

[KenoraPilot]

I came to Kenora Air Service with only 14 hours on floats, which was the basic endorsement and a few short solo trips around Manitoba. They hired me and I worked the dock for a year and then got the 185.

[Valhalla]

Go to Yellowknife and apply to one of the two Twin Otter operators (or Norman Wells or Fort Simpson if you really feel like an adventure). After paying your dues on the ramp or dispatch, they will throw you right seat on the DHC-6 on floats with 7 hours.

[confuzed]

Here's a tip that a lot of people overlook. Instead of doing your road trip and putting on countless miles and money, why not hit up a sportsman show in the States? They virtually all travel down there, as that's where a majority of their business is from. It's also around this time of year that they start their touring. There's a big show in Chicago, and there's also one in Minneapolis. I've been to the one in Minneapolis, and it's huge. There were at least a 100 Canadian operators, a good majority of which had their own aircraft or provided the information on who flew them in. Some were just little lodges that had a supercub needing minnow hunters. It's a great way to meet them in a laid back environment. I only had to do it the once, as I lucked out earlier getting a 185 job with 320 hours TT and 45 hours on floats. Hope this helps.

[phillyfan]

The sportshow idea can also backfire. These shows are getting slower every year and hence much tougher to find new customers. There are long periods of boredom at these shows where I am sure some operators will be happy to talk to you. Just be sure to keep your head on a swivel. If potential customers start looking at the fish pictures etc on the table make yourself sparce real quick.

[confuzed]

The sportshow idea can also backfire. These shows are getting slower every year and hence much tougher to find new customers. There are long periods of boredom at these shows where I am sure some operators will be happy to talk to you. Just be sure to keep your head on a swivel. If potential customers start looking at the fish pictures etc on the table make yourself sparce real quick.

I thought that kind of went without saying, which is why I didn't mention it but that's true. I just waited for a dead time, or if someone came around looking for info I backed off until they were gone. 99% of them were receptive and took my resume, chatted, let me know if they knew anyone looking, etc....

[Boss Hawg]

Also look for operators that have privately registered a/c. Insurance mins are usually much lower for those.

The sports show idea is a great one. I went to the Minneapolis one a few years ago looking for my first job - had two pretty serious interviews on the spot, and later got hired by another company I had talked to there. Just be courteous (as has been mentioned) and remember that they are really looking for customers not staff.

[xsbank]

A busy charter operator should allow you to fly dead legs/cargo. You will learn the most/fastest by talking to and observing the other pilots and there will be a mechanic running about so you are less likely to have contract maintenance (less carrying of snags!).

Ultimately, you will take the job you're offered...

[shimmydampner]

just curious if any of you guys out there have got jobs on floats anywhere with just your 7 hour endorsement? I imagine there aren't to many of you, but I'm just curious. I know a lot of people start out working the dock and then move their way up (how long of a process is that usually, and how do they ease you into the flying? how much flying?). Where are some good places to apply? Thanks a lot!

It's rare that a bare float rating will put you into the driver's seat. You can bank on working the dock first. For how long, varies widely on the company, their insurance requirements, how much they need a driver and most importantly YOU! How the ease you into it and how much flying you'll do once again, varies. Feel lucky if you get 50 hours of camp checks and bait runs and overloads your first year. Best places to apply are anywhere with at least one float aircraft that's a Cessna or smaller. Geographically speaking the best places to apply are in northern Ontario. Other than the west coast (which requires a bit of time), there's probably the highest concentration of float operators there.

Here's a tip that a lot of people overlook. Instead of doing your road trip and putting on countless miles and money, why not hit up a sportsman show in the States? They virtually all travel down there, as that's where a majority of their business is from.

To me, this seems a bit like playing Russian roullette. If you do go this route pay close attention to the tips from phillyfan. I've never done this, but I've talked to an operator who said they would never hire someone who came knocking at a sports show. Reason being, they are forking out a huge amount of money to attract paying customers, not pesky pilots. Fly-in fishing customers=hard to find. Pilots=very easy to find. That being said, obviously it's worked out well for some guys.

Go to Yellowknife and apply to one of the two Twin Otter operators (or Norman Wells or Fort Simpson if you really feel like an adventure). After paying your dues on the ramp or dispatch, they will throw you right seat on the DHC-6 on floats with 7 hours.

I've heard the wait on the dock there is generally close to 2 years. And right seat in a TwOtter is all fine and dandy if you don't really care about getting PIC float time. So if you don't really plan on staying in the bush I guess it's an alright way to build multi time while you get some floats too. If you want to be in the bush for a while and want to really develop your float flying ability, work your way up through the usual progression.

I came to Kenora Air Service with only 14 hours on floats, which was the basic endorsement and a few short solo trips around Manitoba. They hired me and I worked the dock for a year and then got the 185.

A case of be careful what you wish for? I'd say this goes back to researching your companies you'd actually want to work for. It's nice to get a break, but there's a reason they hire bare float ratings (in my opinion.)

To add to this: being the first season coming, I'll be doing my first road trip...do alot of "mom n' pop" companies take pilots...I have a couple so far I want to hit...but if family generally flies there planes, Im curious to know if its even worth going out of the way for to talk with them. Also, Is march the best time for a road trip?

Family operations vary. Sometimes pop does all the flying and just needs someone to pump his floats and fill his tanks and generally be the bitch. Sometimes, they genuinely need someone to help out and do a little flying. Your road trip timing question is the 14 million dollar question. Getting your first float job is all about being in the right place at the right time, so it would be helpful if you could arrange being everywhere at all times from January until June. In all seriousness, it's hard to say what time is best. Logic would say early is good, but plenty of guys get jobs after the season has already started.

Good luck to all looking for the elusive first float job.