Hey Everyone-
I am quite curious how an individual is able to succeed as a float plane pilot. Yes, yes, as a pilot myself I understand the basic process. However, add floats to the mix and making a career out of it becomes clear as mud to me. Why? Well, once the individual gets their SES certification, they can't do anything with it. It is now virtually impossible to rent a floatplane. There are very few outfits out there that even offer a SES rating. Most of these outfits are owner/operator. I doubt their insurance will allow an individual solo that aircraft. I am sure one or more of you reading this post is going to suggest that the newly minted SES pilot purchase an aircraft to build time in it. Well, that's great and all, but most folks developing a career does not have tens of thousands of dollars just lying around to blow on a shiny toy while they owe tens of thousands of dollars to their creditors for the flight training they just completed.
Despite all of this, SE Alaska has a fairly healthy floatplane air-taxi community.
How is it done?
Thanks,
ZPilot
PS- I ask because I'd love to do some seasonal Beaver flying out of JNU or KTN. However, I have no idea how I would show up at an employer's doorstep with an adequate amount of float time.
I am quite curious how an individual is able to succeed as a float plane pilot. Yes, yes, as a pilot myself I understand the basic process. However, add floats to the mix and making a career out of it becomes clear as mud to me. Why? Well, once the individual gets their SES certification, they can't do anything with it. It is now virtually impossible to rent a floatplane. There are very few outfits out there that even offer a SES rating. Most of these outfits are owner/operator. I doubt their insurance will allow an individual solo that aircraft. I am sure one or more of you reading this post is going to suggest that the newly minted SES pilot purchase an aircraft to build time in it. Well, that's great and all, but most folks developing a career does not have tens of thousands of dollars just lying around to blow on a shiny toy while they owe tens of thousands of dollars to their creditors for the flight training they just completed.
Despite all of this, SE Alaska has a fairly healthy floatplane air-taxi community.
How is it done?
Thanks,
ZPilot
PS- I ask because I'd love to do some seasonal Beaver flying out of JNU or KTN. However, I have no idea how I would show up at an employer's doorstep with an adequate amount of float time.
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