2011 Float Season

[glorifieddriver]

Hey Guys! Looking for any info/opinions on my situation and my plan to get into a Float Operation this summer for an entry level flying job. I am at 175TT with most requirements for CPL out of the way except the 300NM and I am out of funds. I have access to loans, but not through the bank, the banks wont give me the amount I need right now. But in order for me to get my personal loan secured I need to secure a job. Now I am wondering if you ever heard of operators willing to hire you for the summer season of floats like now based on the fact that you will have a license in hand withing a month/two from today? I have some very good experience in aviation that could attract a potential employer, as I would be able to contribute lots outside of dock and flying duties. Any info ideas and companies would be greatly appreciated!

[I_Heart_Seaplanes]

I wish you luck in your search. I have 300TT, 75 on floats, and a multi and haven't been able to get a flying job for the last two summers. I started working the dock for a float operator when I started my PPL and have now been there 5 years. My advise would be to get a job at a local float operator while you finish your license. At least to get your foot in the door and start meeting people who can help you find your first job.

[Lost Lake]

I don't wish to burst your bubble, but get a real job, buy an airplane and go fly when you want!

OK, you didn't lisren to the first line. I don't know what to tell any young wannabe today. It's not what you know, it's who you know in this business. There are hundreds of you guys out there. Not even having a CPL is enough to disqualify you from any type of flying job. If you don't have enough money to even finish your cpl, you are even more up the creek. With your experience, you will be better off to pay an extra $15K for a bush course with an operator who will hire graduates.

If you don't like paragraph 2, re-read paragraph 1!

Good luck.

[floatpilot]

GO BACK TO SCHOOL!! get a education, a real job, and like lost says, buy an airplane! Bush flying(at least in Nwo) is very slow these days. Just got back from doing the shows, which were fairly busy but people are still gun shy on spending their money. It looks like it mabe a little bit up from last year and the year before, but still not great. best of luck fellas

I've Already bought myself a plane!!

[5400AirportRdSouth]

I'd start dealing with the fact that even with the CPL, you're odds of flying in NWO this year are slim to slimmer.

Instead, look on the bright side, since you're still training, you can work a ground job and avoid the wrath and ire of those on here who would condemn you for wasting your oh-so-valuable piloty skills.

Obviously, send a resume to all the usual suspects, but don't forget the fishing lodges who don't have airplanes. They need guides, dock-boys, camp maintenance helpers and all other manner of really crappy joe-jobs that will actually give you a valuable skill at the end of the year. I found a few advertising on the NOTO website. Too lazy to google it, you do it.

Make your resume stand out from thousands of other city boys applying for that 180 job. Go learn how to fish, how to run a chainsaw, how to troubleshoot an outboard motor, know and be able to tie at least three knots that have names, figure out how a propane fridge works and be able to fix it, build a boat dock and a boat ramp, fall off them both, learn how to catch, clean, cook and live off walleye and pike, buy some plaid, a truck and start enjoying a good chew.

Oh, and don't forget to enjoy all of the above. It WILL be a very large chunk of your job duties for the first few years. If you think that will be a stretch, you might want to rethink floats as your chosen path...

[boozy]

Secure a job on the dock at a fly in fishing resort. Where you work at a lodge. You'll make enough money to not get loans, then get EI in the winter and finish your flying. You'll also meet some contacts... it's what I did... worked for me. Plus spending big loans in flying may not be wise when you can just make the money. Slow down and don't worry about a flying job this summer (in your case) and you may make it.

[DEL]

glorifieddriver: Suggest you go back to school and become a plumber or electrician. A lot better pay in the long run and you can go work any place. Then buy yourself a plane. Other option is to go into the military and fly there. Do twenty years and retire with a pension. This is the one I should have done!!!

Read some of the other posts as you see one has been working as dockhand for five years. I personally know of ten different pilots and where we all are. Three went into the airforce, one got out and is flying 767/757 airplanes for the airlines. Two have stayed in. Four pilots where able to fly for various companies but when the economy went bad, they got out and have not been flying at all. Two just gave up and one of them is working at Home Depot. Myself, I have been sending out hundreds of resumes, year around, all to aviation related companies both in Canada and the US.

As for working in the bush, I have a different problem as no one will hire me as dockhand as I have to many flight hours to do that as they figure I will jump ship if I find a job. But I can't seem to get a job as a pilot as I don't have enough seaplane time. I have TT 1360 hours, 128 hour seaplane, am a CFI, & an aviation degree.

Best of luck to you

[cdnpilot77]

Secure a job on the dock at a fly in fishing resort. Where you work at a lodge. You'll make enough money to not get loans, then get EI in the winter and finish your flying. You'll also meet some contacts... it's what I did... worked for me. Plus spending big loans in flying may not be wise when you can just make the money. Slow down and don't worry about a flying job this summer (in your case) and you may make it.

Ad on avcanada yesterday for AMIK Outposts in their 185, that would be a great gig.

[5400AirportRdSouth]

Just to note, the ad was for Amik Aviation, not Amik outposts, two different companies.

Good luck!

[cdnpilot77]

Just to note, the ad was for Amik Aviation, not Amik outposts, two different companies.

Good luck!

My Apologies! Thank you for the correction

[glorifieddriver]

It does seem like working the dock is the way to go this summer for me. Probably the wrong forum, but just to get myself prepared better...What are the salary ranges for dock jobs and do most places offer room and board???

[boozy]

2500/month + room and board can be done. But that's also Cessna pay in some places. Sometimes dock-hands make more than Cessna drivers and often it's because they're way more useful.

[Slats]

Ad on avcanada yesterday for AMIK Outposts in their 185, that would be a great gig.

As was pointed out, Amik Outposts doesn't have a 185, but if they did, just curious why it would be a "great" gig?

[floatpilot]

1500/2000 with room. must provide your own food and beer! 2500 to start for most cessna operators. You might get lucky if you have some other skill(carpenter, mechanic etc.) and be able to make a bit more.

Most fishing lodges pay their guides, camp hands at least 3000/4000 mth plus tips. Some camps charge for room and board some don't.

[cdnpilot77]

Ad on avcanada yesterday for AMIK Outposts in their 185, that would be a great gig.

As was pointed out, Amik Outposts doesn't have a 185, but if they did, just curious why it would be a "great" gig?

And I accepted th corrction, so what would make it NOT a great gig...job for a low timer in a seat? Yeah thats terrible. Not sure what you are getting at.

[Slats]

No need to get your panties in a twist, it was an honest question. Just curious about what defines a "great" gig.

[North Shore]

^ High pay, creampuff machine, No flights earlier than 0800, none later than 1900, food/accoms provided.

Back in the real world, my definition of a "great" gig would be: Good mx, no outrageous pressure to fly, a clear definition of job responsibilities, fair pay, and a decent amount of flying...

[Rowdy]

Who are the decent seasonal float ops to work for now? Who are the busy ones this season? Whats this season shaping up to be like? I feel hugely out of touch....

I'm going to be actively looking for a GOOD place to park my keister in a beav etc. for the season and its been a while since I've been around NWO/MB etc. My post is up in the "Hire Me" forum!

[L1011]

Obviously, send a resume to all the usual suspects, but don't forget the fishing lodges who don't have airplanes. They need guides, dock-boys, camp maintenance helpers and all other manner of really crappy joe-jobs that will actually give you a valuable skill at the end of the year. I found a few advertising on the NOTO website. Too lazy to google it, you do it.

Make your resume stand out from thousands of other city boys applying for that 180 job. Go learn how to fish, how to run a chainsaw, how to troubleshoot an outboard motor, know and be able to tie at least three knots that have names, figure out how a propane fridge works and be able to fix it, build a boat dock and a boat ramp, fall off them both, learn how to catch, clean, cook and live off walleye and pike, buy some plaid, a truck and start enjoying a good chew.

glorifieddriver, this is EXCELLENT advice! I've been in your situation before...looking for a job but out of money. I managed to get a job in aviation that got me the money I needed, but didn't help me get a flying gig. If I had done what 5400AirportRdSouth had suggested, I imagine I would have had much better luck getting a float job the following year.

It's tough when you're talking to a float operator and you have to say "no, I don't know how to do that" when asked to do any of the above tasks. I eventually learned a few of those tasks during my first float job, but perhaps I would have got that first job sooner if I had more skills to offer when talking to float operators the first time around. Otherwise you just look like a useless city slicker. Not to mention that as a guide, dock-boy, or camp maintenance helper you would potentially be getting a lot of face time with operators and that would give you a leg up too.

Best of luck!

[charlo]

We're now in mid March and there doesn't seem to be a lot of hiring for the bush season this year. There's only 1 or 2 bush jobs in the aviation jobs page. Is it too early yet ?

[floatrfun]

A lot of the jobs won't be posted but there is definitely more movement. What's your total time and float time?

[Kzanol]

If you still don't have a job just wait until all the flakers decide to jump ship at the last second. If you're in the right place at the right time you'll snag a job. It's pretty much all luck though, hard to guess where its going to happen.

[northernflyer1]

There may be a few jobs pop up in the bush yet... don't forget there are a lot of aircraft parked the last couple summers and more this summer. The industry is teetering on the brink of collapse. Maybe take a roadtrip through NWO.

[charlo]

Well I've only got 220 hours with a float rating but anyway I got hired on a dock yesterday so I'm glad, couldn't find a job last season ! Things seem to be slightly better than last year but I still believe there's not a lot of movement though

[Northern Skies]

The industry is teetering on the brink of collapse. Maybe take a roadtrip through NWO.

Personally, I think it is changing into the sort of way it used to be: more diverse. An operation can no longer focus solely on fishing outposts, as the generation most interested in that is getting smaller and less inclined to follow their old habits. I find that plenty of nicer lodges remain busy though, as there remains a sufficient market interest in that higher standard of service.

In the outpost business there are still certain companies who regularly fill their bookings, even with very little marketing.

In the past two years I have seen a decline in outpost fishing trips, but there have been other markets opening up to fill the void. I have probably done an equal amount of flying for mineral exploration lately as I have for fishing trips.

My perspective on this certainly reflects the career movements I have made, toward dedicated air services with a mix of clients and away from camp operators with their own airplanes. However, these air services have noted such a changing trend in their own experience, and are striving to adapt in the most appropriate manner.

There will always be floatplanes flying around, but there may not be as many and not always with the same purpose. Floatplanes have their niche between helicopters and conventional aircraft that makes them the most economical choice in certain environments. I don't see the market changes as "dying", but simply evolving with the times.