Don't want to fly jets just yet.....

[skinteastwood]

Seems that most wannabes see the only way to do things is to get as quickly as possible ino the RH seat of a jet. I appreciate that financial constraints may mean that finding a relatively well-paid job becomes a priority, but is this the last word?

I am interested in flying for a living, but I don't have my heart set on a 737. Could someone enlighten me on the following-

What paid jobs are available and to what levels would I need to train to qualify for said jobs?

For example, if I were happy working for a small freight or air-taxi outfit would I still have to train to ATPL level?

I have to say that the costs involved in aiming for Ryanair/Easy etc are seriously prohibitive. And before someone says something smart along the lines of "If you were serious you'd find a way", don't. Blood from a stone and all that. In fact, I am serious and this is me finding a way.

Sorry if I sound stroppy but I've seen so many people shot down on this forum it's not funny.

Thanks in advance.

[Captain Stable]

You can do quite a bit with a CPL. You can fly single-crew aircraft. So that means glider-tugging, instructing, para dropping, traffic spotting, crop spraying etc. It also includes, say, air taxi work in something small like a Seneca or a Navajo.

You can fly as FO on multi-crew aircraft (which includes a lot of "smaller" aircraft nowadays) but no airline will look at you without at least a frozen ATPL.

ATPL's are not much more difficult than CPL's. Get one.

An IR is indispensible.

[strafer]

Trying not to shoot you down in flames Skint but

I am interested in flying for a living

Making a living wage is the problem. Air-taxi work, instructing etc may be just as good flying jobs for those that want them, but the pay seriously sucks.

Depends on your situation, if you've got a mortgage/kids you're gonna need a bit more. If you haven't, then money isn't everything.

[foxmoth]

Skint,
I was much the same as you in that I was not interested in flying for the airlines, get your ATPL though because you reach the stage where you ask, "do I still want to be flying Aztecs/Senecas etc. in 20 years time" ( I now captain an A330 but keep flying light a/c) and if you have the licence you then have the option to move on.
Enjoy your flying but keep your options open

[boeingbus2002]

Don't forget you need a minimum of 700 hrs before doing any Single pilot Public Transport work. (Moving any people and cargo?? from point to point). Ths would stop you doing Air Taxi/charters on light aircraft until you have the experience!
Also even for other CPL work, like Para dropping they clubs insurers have minimum hours requirements too.
So ironically, getting that first jet job "may" be simpler than the options you are considering. (Unless you build up experience trhough instructing then progress through the said routes..which many do).

[skinteastwood]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Strafer, you say that the pay for air taxi/instructing etc seriously sucks. Can anyone give me any sort of idea of how bad it is?

[Homer_J]

yea,

I was getting 7500 a year instructing, I then swapped over to air taxi work, and thats paying 18000 a year. if your lucky you'll get maybe 25000, but thats the tops.

another company i can think of pays 10000 plus 100 per flight day.

hope this hepls.