First Float Job?

DA42 · Post by **DA42** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 1:45 am

Hey Guys,

What are my best options for getting that first float job? I have around 300 hours right now and earned my float rating in sept. I look around and see all of these postings and these operators don't necessarily want loads of time... just loads of float time. How does a wannabe float driver start?
Thanks

Adam Oke · Post by **Adam Oke** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:01 am

Hey,

I got on with a company with a little over 300hrs and 7hrs on floats. I had a really good reference. My flight school owner knew the Ops Manager.

I would say don't accept a dock job unless you're doing some flying. I had a huge discussion in one thread and got hashed for talking about working the dock for as short period of time. That was when I was in the job hunt. After getting a job and understanding what it's all about (to a very minimal degree....lots of learning yet) I think there is no need to work the dock for a season with a CPL and float endorsement in hand.

I learned how the company runs, how to dock a plane, how to load not one, but 4 planes types, where to fuel drums, propane, how to fuel the a/c, how to handle spills, where to get groceries.....I could go on. This doesn't take an entire season to show your work habits, learn the company operation, and "prove yourself worthy". A month or two I would say is understandable.... a season? No.

As for just a float endorsement; like myself. You'll be a mobile dockhand. I was put on the insurance as dual only because of my lack of float time. I was sitting right seat, flying everywhere which was great. I did a check flight with the Chief Pilot and I was checked to fly left seat everywhere… even better. But I was still dual only…which was fine. I was flying, getting the stick and rudder ... guy beside me didn't say boo shit or nothing unless I was doing something stupid.

All in all I think you can expect to be the lowest guy on the todem pole flying around dual until about 50hrs.

If you want the best luck on finding your way right into flying, check out operations with privately registered a/c, or an "any pilot" clause.

As for resume work and job hunting. xsbank. Read what this guy has to say.

SuperDave · Post by **SuperDave** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:26 am

It's tough starting out at first as a float pilot. It may be a bit easier these days than when I got into to it (just after 911) but none the less, you'll probably have to do a road trip or move...unless you already live in Red Lake or something.

In my opinion attitude is everything. If you hit the road in the spring after having sent off resumes in February or so to some operators you've targeted, you'll probably end up with something. You'll most likely have to work on the dock, fix cabins, build shitters...all that kind of stuff for a bit. Maybe you'll get lucky too, ya never know. Basically if you're not afraid to get your hands dirty and have a good attitude, the boss will check you out on a 180 or so. Flying skills can be tought, and they'll teach you the way they want you to fly their plane. But teaching someone 'attitude' and work ethic is much harder. That's the way I see it.

So, do some research over the next little while about smaller operators mostly in ON, MB and the like. I wouldn't bother with places that only have bigger mashines like Beacers, Otters and Beech 18's, 'cause most likely you'll never see one of them until you have at least a season on "da Cessna" under your belt. Minnow-trapping is also an option, as are fishing camps that have their own 180/185 for camp checks and such. Big Hook wilderness camps comes to mind, but they're not the only one. Google will be your friend.

I know you'll wanna fly in the worst way, but there are a few rules one should abide by. Yes, you're green and have a lot to learn, but don't sell yourself too low. Nobody is born with 10,000 hours on floats.

DON'T work for free!! Ever! That defeats the purpose of having a commercial licence. Don't whore yourself out too much to aviation; it's not all peaches and cream. It's OK to make a few sacrifices when you first start out, (most of us did in some way or another) but don't do it for free.

DON'T work somewhere just because they have airplanes with wings and a prop. Granted, some contraptions look like the Beaver out of "Never Cry Wolf"...(eh Tyler?!)...and are well maintained, good mashines that are just lacking paint. You'll see some things that may seem unorthodox but are actually OK.
But some are not. It's not worth your life to crawl into some piece of shit just 'cause you want to fly. There are not too many out there, but just be carefull. If you see a guy check the oil in a Beaver, go for a half hour flight and then add another quart...well that's not normal. Nor are corroded float struts.

DO pay attention to small details. Learn how to tie knots, you don't need to be a friggin' sailor, but as a floatplane pilot...well..you kinda are, as the true floatpilot (sailor) in you only comes out when you're on the water.

DO ask questions. Know your stuff and don't be too much of a pest, but if you don't know something well, ask. Having too much pride and over-confidence can get you killed. As will a lack of confidence. You'll have to find that happy medium where you're not scared shittless of your job, but you can't think your gods gift to aviation either; and that taking off with a 25 knot tailwind into a thunderstorm is OK. Excuding confidence is good -and your passengers will be able to tell - just don't be a cowboy. I'm not saying you are...I'm just giving you my opinion.

DO listen to the old crusty pilots bullshitting. Some stories are purely entertaining, others will get you out of a sketchy situation one day. Most of the time they are both. Any story that starts with: "No shit, there I was..." is worth listening to even though your buddies may be waiting for you with beers.
However, just 'cause someone has a float rating and is telling a story, evaluate everything for yourself. Does it make sense? Is it logical? Is it safe? Some may seem illogical and unsafe at first, but as you gain experience it actually makes sense. Just like there are maneuvers and tricks you can do with 7 hours on floats, others you shouldn't really try until you really know your machine and have more experience. Some scenerios may sound like a good idea, but are actually stupid.

So, I'm not too sure how well I answered your quesion...I kinda rambled for a bit there, but if I'm way out to lunch I'm sure sure someone on here will politely correct me.

Good luck!

SuperDave

xsbank · Post by **xsbank** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 12:49 pm

Adam and Dave - good posts!

DA42 · Post by **DA42** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 4:48 pm

Hey,

Thanks guys for your replies. You definitely answered my questions. I'll be making a road trip come spring after firing off some resumes. Thanks again.

SuperDave · Post by **SuperDave** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 7:47 pm

You're welcome!

shimmydampner · Post by **shimmydampner** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 9:01 pm

SuperDave wrote: Granted, some contraptions look like the Beaver out of "Never Cry Wolf"...

It's been so long since I watched that movie I don't remember a damn thing about it, but I was under the impression that it was a Turbo Porter.

Head to northern Ontario to start. Lots of opportunities and pretty tame, easy float flying for starting out. Times are good and with some hard work you can get yourself a dock job that should lead to flying relatively quickly. Be glad you're getting in at a good time in the industry, because it wasn't always as easy as it was for some of the couple hundred hour titans of the float world here.

DA42 · Post by **DA42** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 9:50 pm

Thanks. Any specific operators in northern Ont? What about Kenora air?

shimmydampner · Post by **shimmydampner** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:08 pm

The town is cool and you'd get flying quick, but the pay sucks.

DA42 · Post by **DA42** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 10:52 pm

Hey one last question... does anyone know anything about Tofino Air?

husky · Post by **husky** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:01 pm

You're not likely to get hired on the westcoast for a floatplane operator with low time.

DA42 · Post by **DA42** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:02 pm

Definitely better off trying in sask, man, and ontario then?

shimmydampner · Post by **shimmydampner** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 1:32 am

NW Ontario has more floatplane ops than SK and MB combined (although there are a couple decent ones there), so I'd mostly focus on Ontario. You'll find something. Hit Red Lake, Ear Falls, Pickle Lake, Sioux Lookout, Kenora, Fort Frances, Nestor Falls, Armstrong, Wawa, etc, and you'll find something. Then once you get a summer in Ontario and some time under your belt, get out and head further northwest where the pay is better and the work is more interesting, IMO.

boozy · Post by **boozy** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 4:38 pm

Yeah times are great now!! Here's a good strategy for getting a job. There's this Aviation Business Directory for all of Canada out there. I have a copy of it online. It lists most of the aviation business' in Canada organized by type of operation (floats, airlines, instructor schools) and by province. It also lists the type of planes they have. What I use to do around february first or so, when I was starting out, was go through that book with a fine tooth comb and look for all the operators that had a 185.
I made up a generic cover letter and sent a resume out to every company on the list that I thought was relevant. Usually around a 100 or so. Call some of them up too, and if you can, make an early road trip so they know your face to the name.

Good luck

angry inch · Post by **angry inch** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 5:48 pm

I did the same as "Boozy", and it worked for me too... I had slightly more time than you, but not much. The job market is better now.

DA42 · Post by **DA42** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 6:02 pm

Thanks guys. I appreciate the help and advice.

Mr. North · Post by **Mr. North** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 11:39 pm

All those spots that Shimmydampner mentioned are Hot! Hot! Hot! A full reversal from when I started! Kenora Air is a good show. You'll work you but off and make crap pay, but none of the new guys were complaining with all the hours they were logging.

Buy a nice Leatherman - You'll thank me later.

Just over four months to till breakup!

shimmydampner · Post by **shimmydampner** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:00 am

Mr. North wrote: You'll work you but off and make crap pay, but none of the new guys were complaining with all the hours they were logging.

That doesn't necessarily make it good. Choose wisely, there are alot of places I'd rather go first. KAS would be bottom of the list, last resort, but it's better than nothing I guess.

Adam Oke · Post by **Adam Oke** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:09 am

Mr. North wrote:Buy a nice Leatherman - You'll thank me later.

In case anyone missed that.... oh oh! Here it is again!

Mr. North wrote:Buy a nice Leatherman - You'll thank me later.

Best investment.

Idriveplane · Post by **Idriveplane** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:12 am

Or a Gerber

shimmydampner · Post by **shimmydampner** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:13 am

2000+ hours in the bush and never had one......

A good pocket knife and a lighter always did me just fine. Not that I wouldn't sport one if someone gave me one, I just can't justify spending $120 on something that I haven't as of yet had need for. I'd much rather put the dollars towards a little hand-held Garmin GPS that could save my ass in multiple situations, not the least of which, when the 2 decades old, panel-mount GPS craps out at the worst possible time, which, they always seem to like to do.

DA42 · Post by **DA42** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:45 am

I think I have a Leatherman somewhere. Just have to find it...

One last thing, I know this may seem like a dumb question but, I don't have an IFR rating so would I need one. The only reason I ask is because I have come across a couple operators who want their pilots to have one.

angry inch · Post by **angry inch** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:53 am

No IFR rating required, unless you're looking for f/o work. I guess the twin otter operators & a few others want you to have it, but is not the norm for standard floatplane gigs...

Mr. North · Post by **Mr. North** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:57 am

Why would Kenora Air be at the bottom of the list Shimmy? Very few places offer much more for zero-timers. It's crap pay, but not that crappy. They're also one of the few operators with an open-pilot clause. And since they have such a large fleet there is always movement within the ranks. It made more then one dockhand happy last season.

klimman123 · Post by **klimman123** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 4:39 pm

Try to look for privately regristered aircraft that are used for lodges in Ont. and Man. Much easier to land a gig when their insurance is much lower. Transport Canada has a nice data base to search through.

Good Luck