Any ideas for winter job?

[waldyck]

I'm a spray pilot in southern Manitoba.
I've been doing it for 3 summers now and by the end of the summer I should be around 700 +/- hours TT.
Around 160 hours were on a C172 (CPL training) and the rest all on spray planes (tail dragger). Most on a C188 Ag-Truck.
Any ideas for a winter flying positions? Preferably in southern Manitoba.
I don't have IFR, however I've always thought at some point I want to get it. If the right job comes up, I may get my IFR...

If someone has any advice for me, its much appreciated!
Thanks for your time.

[jschnurr]

You won't even be considered for an IFR job unless you have the rating. If that's the direction you want, get the IFR as soon as you can.

[checkremarks]

I think companies that want an IFR rating are not going to wait for you to get yours and then hire you. They will take someone right away with the best qualifications. If your interested in being a career pilot, then get your Group 1 Instrument rating done as soon as you can. The more you have on your resume the better. Unless you know someone personally that will wait for you to get your IFR rating than all the better to ya. Remember there's lots of other guys looking for jobs to (flight instructors) the second they see and add go up on this website with an IFR rating as a minimum requirement, you don't stand a chance on a "I can get mine in a week".

It's to late by that point.

Just my $0.02

[Aeroplane17]

Edited. A funny comment to some of us, but the OP may well have been the occupant, and therefore not funny...

[Mr. T]

Got your class one? If not get it, and get on with an ice road truck gig hauling fuel, groceries, etc.

[North Shore]

Assuming that you want to make a career out of flying, perhaps get a float rating this fall in preparation for next summer and go and look for some ski time this winter? Or, if you're airline-bound, go and get your M/IFR, and start looking for a 'Ho or Kingair job..

[timel]

Did some spraying too, trust me the biggest present to offer yourself on long term is getting your multi ifr. Heard of guys doing spraying on summers and flying ifr on winter. Good deal $$$. Don't expect a job if you don't get your ifr, peeps like sprayer but not enough to give them a job prior getting MEIFR

[Mr. T]

IFR is over rated unless that's all you want to do, full time year around. You'll have to start out somewhere as a co-joe getting paid less in a month than what you make a week spraying. After making a few spray paychecks already, I'm sure you wouldn't want to see a 1900 fo's one; it'd make you giggle.

You'll make more money driving truck short and long term, plus it's good to have a backup in case you loose you summer gig for whatever reason (sell airplane, contract expires, bad weather season). If you get tired of doing it (truck driving), take a winter off and head on down to mexico or do whatever you feel. Experienced ice road truckers make a year's wage in a winter and take the summer off. Same can be said for experienced sprayers. Put 5 years in at doing both, and you'll be making almost top tier wage for both lines of work. Probably be on a air tractor or thrush by that point I'm sure as well.

[Flypilot]

What Mr T said!

[timel]

When settled in IFR flying I wouldn't reject the option of going back spraying half half. Even if I would need a tune up at battleford air spray

Driving trucks? I would rather be flying !

[single_swine_herder]

Well said timel .... but to a certain percentage of pilots, its merely a job ... like driving a forklift at the local lumber yard.

To them its purely about getting the maximum amount of time away from the facility, and being paid the most for doing the least.

[Colonel Sanders]

driving a forklift at the local lumber yard

Park the snobbery, SSH. If I offered everyone here
$1M/yr tax free to drive a forklist at the local lumber
yard - banker's hours, M-F, all weekends off - I would
wager that 99.999% (including you) would take the deal.

When you get a little older, you will realize that there
are other things in life, than how heavy your airplane is.

[single_swine_herder]

I'll pull over and find a parking spot Colonel. If anyone is highly familiar with the concept of snobbery in aviation, it would be you. I respect your ability to spot and draw attention to overt or subtle elitist behaviours and I can certainly learn a thing or two about interpersonal relationships and communications skills from the online character you portray.

Sorry I offended your sensibilities and perhaps the completion of a "Hurt Feelings Report" may be in order.

I've reached a stage of my life where enough people who are dedicated to the industry look for my advice and mentorship that I don't have time to waste on those those not similarly motivated.

[Diadem]

When you get a little older, you will realize that there
are other things in life, than how heavy your airplane is.

At least you aren't being condescending...

[single_swine_herder]

When you get a little older, you will realize that there
are other things in life, than how heavy your airplane is.

At least you aren't being condescending...

I also appreciate that he didn't exhibit any signs of ironic sanctimony either.

[Colonel Sanders]

you aren't being condescending

I'm glad I didn't hurt your feelings. That's
always the most important thing in life.