BeardedFlyer

I could get a job flying jumpers in a Caravan or a 135 VFR gig in a 206. Would the X-C time outweigh the value of the turbine time?

Thanks.

cjgreen91

Toughy. Sounds like your heading in the right direction though.

Cubdriver

Personally I am a proponent of anything that builds IFR skills, but you did not offer that, so go for the Part 135 VFR timebuilder in the 206. You really need to work towards Part 135 IFR minimums. Unless you want to be Caravan pilot as a career move, the flight time is not worth a lot as turbine PIC, and what are you going to do without Part 135 IFR mins later on? Ideally, Part 135 IFR is what you are aiming for.

PiperPower

I'm considering a caravan pic job. 135 cargo. The only thing that's making me pump the brakes is the career progression when the time comes to move on from a job like this. Considering the importance of multi time, could this be a dead end? What are others in this situation doing?

Cubdriver

VFR or IFR? If it is Part 135 VFR job then it is not worth an awful lot. On the other hand if it is a Part 135 IFR job, the time is worthwhile as both a resume builder and an experience builder. Perhaps you can work that job a year, get your ATP and instrument skills up then apply to a Part 135 operator or regional who flies twins. Quite a few have low M-E application minimums.

If it is a Part 135 IFR job and you are wondering should you pass for something with more engines, it depends. Firms who use twins and are worth less in my opinion are aerial surveyors, skydiver firms, and VFR Part 135 firms.

kodiakallstar

206 for sure. Flying skydivers will do nothing for your skills even if you are in a van. It's a low skill job. I know I've done it. Unless it flies more sounds like what you need is time so do whatever gets you that.

Gjn290

Turbine time is good even if it's single engine. However, it won't do much for your stick and rudder skills. Also, most jump operations are beyond shady.

soar2live

BearedFlyer - I say do what you think you will enjoy the most because that truly is what a job is all about - doing something you love. I was in a very similar situation just a few months ago. Had the option to fly a PAC 750 for a dropzone or fly doing aerial survey (X-C) in a 172 for pictometry. Built time previously as a jump pilot so essentially i had high TT but needed my X-C time. Took about a 40% pay cut for now to get that X-C time. (Contrary to popular opinion, there are jump operations out there where you can bring in some good money) I truly enjoyed my time as a jump pilot and now enjoying my time taking pics around the country. The biggie was that it is winter now and the survey jobs arent always hiring year round. If I want to fly jump operations in the summer, there will always be turbine dropzones hiring pilots, but by then I will most likely be looking for Part 135 IFR maybe even flying the van. Oh and just another thought, if your goal is airlines, then do the VFR 135 - XC is key to an ATP now and should lead to Multi time faster. If your goal is corporate it really depends on your personality but turbine time is king to them for insurance purposes.

soar2live

As opposed to what other low time flying jobs? Flying banners? Flying 135 VFR passengers around in Extreme Clear? Going around the pattern as a CFI? (ooo i bet i get a lot of comments for that last one) Flying across the country taking pics in Day VFR? Id say the only low time pilot job that requires more skill set than the rest would be a CFII, which should speak for itself.

Because guess what, each of those jobs has a different aspect to it. I could easily argue that shady jump operations with a just barely airworthy aircraft flying in and out of a beat up short field dirt strip will hone your skills as PIC and then on top of that having large bodies moving around behind/next to you will keep you on your toes just as much as a new pilot that does the oh so familiar quote of "trying to kill you" as you fly in the over protected part 141 school environment.

And as a professional, you should never dis your past experience. Also, flying a van would teach you how to fly a turbine powered aircraft - so there is something there to be learned.

I do not mean to offend, and I apologize if I do, but your statement offended me and I thought I would put in my .02

2nd best pilot

I agree. I flew jumpers for about 900 hours, and it had just as many challenges as I have now flying SP IFR.

I'd go for the caravan. Have some fun. You have the rest of your career to burn yourself out. I've also seen some 135's that are way more shady than any dropzone I've seen.