The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

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flyingjerry
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The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by flyingjerry »

A compiled list of the coolest flying jobs that are out there and hour requirements. Comment anything that I forgot and I will update the list. Would love to hear any experiences. Currently a 200 hour wonder and looking at short and long term career options other than airlines or corporate jets.
  • Susi Air: Everyone knows this one from the Youtube series "Worst Place In The World To Be a Pilot". Flying turboprops "vfr" through the papua mountains. (200 hours - CPL/Multi)
  • DC3 Ops in Antarctica: Flying a massive taildragger into the most remote place in the world. (~1000 Hours, tailwheel experience, M-IFR)
  • Remote Outpost Float Pilot: Flying legendary planes like the Beaver into air access only cabins and communities. Awesome seasonal job to enjoy the Canadian summer. (200 Hours, CPL + Float Rating - might be dock job first year)
  • Safari Pilot (Bostwana/Namibia/etc): Working for peanuts but spending your days flying over the African wildlife to strips that wouldn't even be legal here. (500 hour legal minimum - CPL M-IFR)
  • Firefighting Ops: (~2000 hours, ATPL, floats rating if flying tankers)
  • Heli-Ski: Flying loads of skiers in an epic mountain environment. Not sure on requirements
  • Ag-flying: Not sure of the requirements but has to be one of the most technical and demanding low flying jobs out there. No autopilot all hands and feet flying ten feet off the ground all the while avoiding trees and power lines. Seasonal gig and some long days but definitely worth it as most operators pay their pilots very well. If I recall correctly I believe Cat Driver said AG flying was the best flying job he had throughout his career. (via u/pipedriver)
  • Emirates Live in Dubai, fly out of Dubai, shop in Dubai, dine in Dubai. Fly real big airplanes for a luxury airline and date exotic young woman from the 4 corners of the World. Fly with tons of Aussies and their laid-back, friendly attitudes "we gonna have a few beers and throw a shrimp on the barbie when we get to the hotel, mate?" Own (or at least finance) a car you could never dream of in Canada and have everyone show you loads of respect as a career pilot. Never shovel snow again - year round clear and sunny skies. No airline union BS to deal with. And you get to LIVE IN DUBAI.(via u/panama jack)
For now that's all I got. Hopefully this list gets massive.
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Last edited by flyingjerry on Sat Mar 10, 2018 5:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
piperdriver
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by piperdriver »

Great list, but you forgot Ag-flying.
-Not sure of the requirements but has to be one of the most technical and demanding low flying jobs out there. No autopilot all hands and feet flying ten feet off the ground all the while avoiding trees and power lines. Seasonal gig and some long days but definitely worth it as most operators pay their pilots very well. If I recall correctly I believe Cat Driver said AG flying was the best flying job he had throughout his career.
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by North Shore »

Heli-skiing...one of these years! I don't know which is better in this video: skiing in the scenery, or flying in it?
https://vimeo.com/258866359?ref=fb-share
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by Panama Jack »

Emirates Live in Dubai, fly out of Dubai, shop in Dubai, dine in Dubai. Fly real big airplanes for a luxury airline and date exotic young woman from the 4 corners of the World. Fly with tons of Aussies and their laid-back, friendly attitudes "we gonna have a few beers and throw a shrimp on the barbie when we get to the hotel, mate?" Own (or at least finance) a car you could never dream of in Canada and have everyone show you loads of respect as a career pilot. Never shovel snow again - year round clear and sunny skies. No airline union BS to deal with. And you get to LIVE IN DUBAI. :wink:
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by tbaylx »

Ahhh, the laid back Austrailanaughts. Oh, I see 😂
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flyingjerry
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by flyingjerry »

Definitely forgot Ag flying! That sounds awesome too. Didn't even know about working in Dubai sounds nice as well!
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leftoftrack
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by leftoftrack »

pretty sure Emerits (sp?) is flying their pilots 90hrs a month (only counts while at the controls) and you're constantly Jet lagged. that sounds like a shit lifestyle.
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by atphat »

Panama Jack wrote: Sat Mar 10, 2018 2:03 am Emirates Live in Dubai, fly out of Dubai, shop in Dubai, dine in Dubai. Fly real big airplanes for a luxury airline and date exotic young woman from the 4 corners of the World. Fly with tons of Aussies and their laid-back, friendly attitudes "we gonna have a few beers and throw a shrimp on the barbie when we get to the hotel, mate?" Own (or at least finance) a car you could never dream of in Canada and have everyone show you loads of respect as a career pilot. Never shovel snow again - year round clear and sunny skies. No airline union BS to deal with. And you get to LIVE IN DUBAI. :wink:
Spoke with a 380 CA the other day in customs. He sure paints a different picture of Emirates than you do. I’m aware it’s only 1 opinion but holy moly.
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Last edited by atphat on Sat Mar 10, 2018 11:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by tbaylx »

atphat wrote: Sat Mar 10, 2018 9:54 am
Panama Jack wrote: Sat Mar 10, 2018 2:03 am Emirates Live in Dubai, fly out of Dubai, shop in Dubai, dine in Dubai. Fly real big airplanes for a luxury airline and date exotic young woman from the 4 corners of the World. Fly with tons of Aussies and their laid-back, friendly attitudes "we gonna have a few beers and throw a shrimp on the barbie when we get to the hotel, mate?" Own (or at least finance) a car you could never dream of in Canada and have everyone show you loads of respect as a career pilot. Never shovel snow again - year round clear and sunny skies. No airline union BS to deal with. And you get to LIVE IN DUBAI. :wink:
Spoke with a 380 CA the other day in customs. He sure paints a different picture of Emerites than you do. I’m aware it’s only 1 opinion but holy moly.
I sense a bit of sarcasm in his post, anyone who's been there knows the Aussies are known for taking a simple thing and making it into rocket science, not for their laid back attitudes, sunny skies when not covered in dust clouds and 40degree heat etc. Might be a bit tongue in cheek
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by atphat »

Ahhh. Must have missed that. Although the no snow does sound awfully nice.
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by JetSetter87 »

Dubai is overrated.

Flying a DHC 6 on floats in the maldives. Layovers 2-3 times a week in 7 star resorts that cost as much as 10k-20k a night. Eat caviar and lobster all paid for....

Min: 500hrs and DHC 6 float time.
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by C.W.E. »

For me it was Ag. flying ....period.
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by flyinhigh »

You forgot about a locally exotic location that so many of us senior avcanadians have spent time in.

It's a four season, 4 star location that has many picturesque views any time of the year. It requires precision flying to get in and out of quick, and if you are fortunate enough to spend a night you will most certainly be accommodated and be the talk of the town.

How could you guy seriously not recommend any northern ontario operator so that he can go see Pikagikum!!!
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by Cat Driver »

How could you guy seriously not recommend any northern ontario operator so that he can go see Pikagikum!!!

And you can take home the gift that keeps giving.
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by North Shore »

^ Sure, but if you listened in your ground school, you'd have learned that a wise man learns from the mistakes of others!
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by Eric Janson »

tbaylx wrote: Sat Mar 10, 2018 9:58 am
atphat wrote: Sat Mar 10, 2018 9:54 am
Panama Jack wrote: Sat Mar 10, 2018 2:03 am Emirates Live in Dubai, fly out of Dubai, shop in Dubai, dine in Dubai. Fly real big airplanes for a luxury airline and date exotic young woman from the 4 corners of the World. Fly with tons of Aussies and their laid-back, friendly attitudes "we gonna have a few beers and throw a shrimp on the barbie when we get to the hotel, mate?" Own (or at least finance) a car you could never dream of in Canada and have everyone show you loads of respect as a career pilot. Never shovel snow again - year round clear and sunny skies. No airline union BS to deal with. And you get to LIVE IN DUBAI. :wink:
Spoke with a 380 CA the other day in customs. He sure paints a different picture of Emerites than you do. I’m aware it’s only 1 opinion but holy moly.
I sense a bit of sarcasm in his post, anyone who's been there knows the Aussies are known for taking a simple thing and making it into rocket science, not for their laid back attitudes, sunny skies when not covered in dust clouds and 40degree heat etc. Might be a bit tongue in cheek
I commute to/from Dubai regularly.

Don't like anything about the place - but that's my personal opinion.

Everything is artificial - including the people. The primitive/tribal local mentality has to be experienced to be believed.

Walkaround at 47c is not something I would wish on anybody.

Most of the people I know in Dubai are looking to get out.
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by HansDietrich »

Best job I ever had? Tuba player in a band, back in Europe! All the girls loved me!
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by North Shore »

I think Elton John wrote a song about that?
'Hold me closer, Tony Danza,
Tuba player in a band...'
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by leftoftrack »

thats funny....cause im.drunk 🍻🍻🍻
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by leftoftrack »

thats funny....cause im.drunk 🍻🍻🍻
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by jg24 »

You're blinded by the 'shiny' cover of Emirates and Dubai. Sure there are some benefits over operating here in Canada. But there are TONS of dark stuff going on within the company, and also in the country itself. Modern day slavery and racism to start with. As for the company, overcontroll of staff, very restricting contracts. It's not all rainbows and unicorns, look up a few REAL testimonies from Emirates pilots and FAs.

If so many people are looking to get out, you must wonder why, since after all, it's such a great place and an 'amazing' company. (that was sarcasm btw...just saying)
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by Eric Janson »

@flyingjerry

The first 7 jobs you've listed may well be fun when you're in your 20's - but not when you're in your 40's.

There will come a point where things like job security and things like pension and a wage that actually allows you to buy a house become important.

Every company is different and has different things to offer. Find one that best suits yours.

Example:- I spent last weekend doing short flights in Europe with an A340-500. In 2 weeks I'm off to Australia.
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by citabriaguy »

flyinhigh wrote: Sat Mar 10, 2018 4:51 pm You forgot about a locally exotic location that so many of us senior avcanadians have spent time in.

It's a four season, 4 star location that has many picturesque views any time of the year. It requires precision flying to get in and out of quick, and if you are fortunate enough to spend a night you will most certainly be accommodated and be the talk of the town.

How could you guy seriously not recommend any northern ontario operator so that he can go see Pikagikum!!!
Man..I wish I had absolutely no idea what you're talking about
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

Post by Jet Jockey »

Not to burst anyone's bubble but...

A very good corporate gig right here in Canada is a pretty darn good job.
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Re: The Coolest Flying Jobs In The World!

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Panama Jack wrote: Sat Mar 10, 2018 2:03 am Emirates Live in Dubai, fly out of Dubai, shop in Dubai, dine in Dubai. Fly real big airplanes for a luxury airline and date exotic young woman from the 4 corners of the World. Fly with tons of Aussies and their laid-back, friendly attitudes "we gonna have a few beers and throw a shrimp on the barbie when we get to the hotel, mate?" Own (or at least finance) a car you could never dream of in Canada and have everyone show you loads of respect as a career pilot. Never shovel snow again - year round clear and sunny skies. No airline union BS to deal with. And you get to LIVE IN DUBAI. :wink:
Wait a sec, don't you live in a neighbouring identical, even more drab shithole? :mrgreen:

Sounds like someone has issues...? Get shot down in Zinc on layover again? :lol:
Eric Janson wrote: Sat Mar 10, 2018 11:02 pm I commute to/from Dubai regularly.

Don't like anything about the place - but that's my personal opinion.

Everything is artificial - including the people. The primitive/tribal local mentality has to be experienced to be believed.

Walkaround at 47c is not something I would wish on anybody.

Most of the people I know in Dubai are looking to get out.
If you find everyone artificial in Dubai, I'm afraid that says more about you and your prejudices than about the place. Living there for a decade I found yes, plenty of a-holes, but also a lot of decent, hard-working people. Whom I doubt would find the time to regularly pop up and disparage whatever Euro-paradise you're inhabiting these days. You might want to talk to someone about that. :mrgreen:

The coolest job is the one that works for you. The ones listed aren't so much cool as they're just niche.
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