Aerial Survey

[Newby76656]

How does one get a job as an FO for survey OPS. I've heard it's a great low time job, but I haven't had the luck I guess

[Squaretail]

Most survey is done single pilot, so your first step is to apply as a pilot, not an FO. The entry positions are likely to be 172, 182 and 206 jobs.

[lowoleo22]

It can be difficult if you don't already know someone working there. Most spots are filled before a posting comes out, but a couple companies that come to mind:

Airborne Sensing - airsensing.com
Envirotech - envirotechaviation.com
First Base Solutions - firstbasesolutions.com
Sander Geophysics - sgl.com

[PilotDAR]

Sander Geophysics flies two pilots in their fixed wing. Top notch flight department!
First Base flies the Cessnas mentioned single pilot

[Newby76656]

I would like the opportunity, but I don't know no-one working survey and I'm a wet cpl with multi/ifr so nothing much to brag about

[scdriver]

Speaking of survey companies, anybody know anything about xcalibur geophysics?

[ellinas]

What kind of schedule do they typically fly? Like first
Base solutions?

[lowoleo22]

What kind of schedule do they typically fly? Like first
Base solutions?

At First Base you work and are away from home all year long. 2 weeks vacation the 1st year, options for unpaid time at home if you need it. You work every day that the weather cooperates, but as that's not every day, lots of days where you aren't doing anything. Plenty of time to explore places across Canada and the USA. It was the best first job but it does require some sacrifice being away from home that long.

[rigpiggy]

I would like the opportunity, but I don't know no-one working survey and I'm a wet cpl with multi/ifr so nothing much to brag about

Best way to describe is either low level pipeline may survey, or if Lidar 6+hrs of more or less handflown ils(GPS tracking +/- 50m or getting calls from back"your off track correct left/right/up/down") in a Navajo at reduced power with no bathroom. Unless called for by contract single pilot. Most want 500 multi or 1000/200 multi

[ellinas]

What kind of schedule do they typically fly? Like first
Base solutions?

At First Base you work and are away from home all year long. 2 weeks vacation the 1st year, options for unpaid time at home if you need it. You work every day that the weather cooperates, but as that's not every day, lots of days where you aren't doing anything. Plenty of time to explore places across Canada and the USA. It was the best first job but it does require some sacrifice being away from home that long.

Thanks for the advice much appreciated, so definitely not for someone that has a family at home . I guess I’ll have to say no.

[I WAS Pez]

There are other survey companies not listed here that do hire a few pilots a year, typically Feb - Apr -ish. For someone with fresh CPL and low time, showing up and shaking hands with the CP/Ops Mgr often goes a long way. That's true of just about every entry level flying job though.

[frosty]

For a new pilot you could look into companies that fly LiDAR on 172 and 206 types, or 172 pipeline patrol jobs. Almost all of the pipeline survey companies are Alberta based.
Very unlikely to get onto an Aztec, Navajo, or Caravan without at least 500-600 hours.

[I WAS Pez]

Of note, there are companies that have single engine survey aircraft as well as multis and turbines. The shop I work at usually hires 1 or 2 low time folks most years.