jdb336

Just got an offer for aerial mapping with NSA for the upcoming season, anyone else get one yet or currently going through the interview process? I'm just looking to meet future coworkers but would be happy to answer any questions about the interview process. My background is 675 tt, 450 x-country, 35 multi, 40 instrument, and 4 months experience aerial photography.

coryk

I applied and got the application/questionnaire and haven't heard anything since?

Duksrule

Same here. I am guessing I didn't answer one of the questions the way the wanted or something. I am about what the OP is but without the aerial photo time and add an A&P for me. Filled out the excel for and never heard anything more.

TWWE

First post I have made. Yeah, I accepted the offer I think it sounds like a very fun time. I am looking at folding bikes to bring in the plane with me so I don't have to use taxis or my feet to see the sites=saven $!

BailedOut

Worked for NSA last year. Good luck with the folding bike thing. Haha

TWWE

Anything specifically you recommend that would help out being cheaper or whatever?

BailedOut

Sometimes you'll be able to save and other times you just gotta suck it up. Sometimes FBOs will let you use a courtesy car under certain circumstances, and use HomeAway and airbnb.com when in big cities. The most important thing is who you based with. Some people, well let's face it, suck. If you get along with the person or people youre with, let Nick know and he'll try his best to accommodate. Yes saving money is important but have fun, the job it self is utter torture, the cross country's are a relief, use good judgement, Nick is quite conservative but know his stuff, so don't try and pull anything over his eyes. You'll go places that are awesome and some that make you want to slit your wrist but make the most of it. It'll be a time you'll never forget.

zildjian_zach

Couldn't have said it better myself. The one piece I will add is this: remember why you're there. Building hours. You will find that busting your butt and getting projects done in good time (as opposed to coming up with excuses to not fly) will get you noticed and rewarded with better projects. Dink around and you'll get smaller projects in podunk towns because Nick will assume you can't handle the bigger ones. So, fly, fly, fly. Better to go take a peak and log 1-1.5 for the day than rot in a hotel because you thought winds aloft or turbulence might be out of parameters... especially early in the season where the window is only 4hrs. Get as much as you can (e.g. use those high overcast days to extend the window). I managed 700hrs my first season, all but 2 months over 100hrs, with a max of 137hrs in a month. Good luck.

TWWE

These are great tips. And I personally hate sitting if I have the option to do something. Will Nick go over all the things we are allowed to do? Such as taking a peak even if the winds or the clouds forecast is borderline up high? I just don't want to be getting reamed for flying "too much". Obviously there are limitations, also what is the typical for a fuel stop? Are we allowed to drop in at a local airport other than we departed so we can log cross country time? I wouldn't think 50 miles is appropriate but say 20 or 30?

zildjian_zach

You can land at other airports for fuel or lunch, often times more than 50miles away. Nick gets paid based on us flying even if we don't successfully do any imaging so he appreciates you trying. Obviously if the weather is crap, don't go. But you'll see some guys try and interpolate winds aloft into a reason not to go when it's close because they assume the crab will be too much. Be smart about it, but Nick always sent me notes appreciating the effort. The thing is that the airport you're at might be reporting few at 1500 (which would probably be a deal breaker) but if your project area is 30nm away and not over an airport with weather, it could be totally clear. Some guys wouldn't bother, but I'd go take a look. A lot of times you'll have good luck and get a full day in. My thought was: finish projects and you get more cross country/instrument time relocating. You also get to see more places, which means less time in the crappy cities.